Unless you need a pickup bed or all-wheel drive, there’s a 2019 Honda Civic that’s right for you. For our scoring, we look at the Civics most commonly found on dealer lots. They rate above average for their ride and for their handling, earning them a 7 out of 10 on our performance scale. (Read more about how we rate cars.)

The Civic Type R is worth another point for its underhood muscle, but we realize that the appeal of a rocket-ship Honda Civic is limited.

Civic LX, Sport, and EX trims feature a 158-horsepower 2.0-liter inline-4 paired to either a 6-speed manual or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The Civic’s base engine is quiet enough and provides decent power for commuting duties. Honda’s CVT doesn’t work like a conventional automatic, but it gets the job done well. Its gear and pulley system simulates a single gear that adjusts continuously to maximize power or efficiency. If all CVTs were like Honda’s, they’d lose their iffy reputation. This transmission works perfectly for commuting duty.

Opt for the EX-T, EX-L, and Touring trims or any version of the Civic hatchback and Honda swaps in a 1.5-liter turbo-4 rated at 174 hp in some configurations and 180 hp in others. Not only is the turbo-4 more powerful, it can be more fuel-efficient in normal driving conditions. This gem of an engine emits a gentle underhood rumble. The CVT can exacerbate the engine’s turbo lag, which requires some acclimation.

Quick, direct steering and a taut, but compliant, suspension makes the Civic as capable rushing down curvy road as it is slogging through a congested city. Civics with the standard 16- and 17-inch alloy wheels ride the best. The 18-inch wheels on Civic Sport and Touring versions look good but transmit more road imperfections to the cabin. Turbocharged coupes and sedans and certain versions of the hatchback have rear suspension bushings filled with hydraulic fluid that make them feel even more composed.

On the highway, the Civic tracks well and settles into comfortable, relaxing cruiser mode.

Civic Si and Type R

Fast but not furious, the Civic’s performance models offer two takes on driving fun.

The Civic Si takes the standard car’s turbo engine and boosts it to 205 hp. A 6-speed manual with shorter throws than the standard car’s gearbox is the only transmission choice.

Though the latest Civic Si doesn’t have the old model’s VTEC (that’s variable valve timing fanciness) zest, it is a model of approachable performance. A two-mode adjustable suspension lets drivers toggle between normal and sport modes at the tap of a button, which seems like a fair trade-off for the loss of VTEC.

If we had our druthers, we’d ask Honda to improve the Civic Si’s brakes. An extra 20 hp wouldn’t hurt, either.

If your calendar is filled with track days and/or you live where maps are full of squiggly lines, the Civic Type R should be on your shopping list. The Type R uses a 2.0-liter turbo-4 rated at a hefty 306 hp thanks to VTEC. This “little engine that could” loves to rev and pairs beautifully to the standard 6-speed manual.

The Civic Type R shuttles power to the front wheels, which would worry us if not for its standard helical limited-slip differential and high-performance tires. The Type R displays remarkable balance for sending that much power forward.

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