Against 381 other 4-cyl cars rated 2024–2026, the Civic beats their 26.3 mpg average by 16.2 mpg, about $556 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 1984, the 2L 4-cyl Hybrid (2025–2026), does 49 mpg and the thirstiest, the 1.8L 4-cyl (2006–2015), 30.8: $463 a year apart.
Every Honda Civic engine, compared
Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl Hybrid | 50 / 47 | 2025–2026 | $784 | |
| 1.5L 4-cyl Hybrid | 40.9 / 47.9 | 1985–2015 | $877 | |
| 1.3L 4-cyl Hybrid | 39.5 / 44.2 | 1984–2011 | $925 | |
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 33 / 41.4 | 1988–2024 | $1,058 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 32 / 41 | 2025–2026 | $1,067 | |
| 1.3L 4-cyl | 32.5 / 40.3 | 1984–1987 | $1,088 | |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 30.8 / 39.2 | 1996–2000 | $1,129 | |
| 1.7L 4-cyl | 31 / 39.2 | 2001–2005 | $1,129 | |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 27 / 37.5 | 2006–2015 | $1,247 |
Is the hybrid worth it? In our listings for 2025–2026 model years, a hybrid Civic asks a median $1,861 more than a gas one of the same year. At 49 against 36 mpg it saves about $283 a year in fuel, so the extra pays back in about 6.6 years. Hybrids make up 4% of the gas and hybrid Civic listings we track from the last ten model years.
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Nissan Sentra gets 33.5 mpg, the Audi A3 28 mpg and the Audi S3 26 mpg, next to 42.5 mpg for the 2026 Civic. The Civic is the cheapest of them to run: $573 a year less than the Audi S3.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2026) | $0.075 |
| Fuel per year | $904 |
| Fuel over five years | $4,520 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars, 2024–2026 | −$556 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $1,683 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2026 Honda Civic gives up 3 mpg in town: 44 on the highway against 41 in the city, $64 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2026) | 41 mpg | $937 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 44 mpg | $873 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +3 mpg (7%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the Civic changed over the years
The Civic peaked in 2026 at 42.5 mpg (41 city, 44 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2000 at 33 — 9.5 mpg apart, or $260 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The biggest single-year change came in 2025: 36 to 42.5 mpg.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 41 / 44 | 2 | $904 | |
| 2025 | 41 / 44 | 2 | $904 | |
| 2024 | 33 / 42 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2023 | 33 / 42 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2022 | 33 / 42 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2021 | 32 / 42 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2020 | 32 / 42 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2019 | 32 / 42 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2018 | 32 / 42 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2017 | 32 / 42 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2016 | 31 / 41 | 1 | $1,097 | |
| 2015 | 37 / 42.5 | 2 | $985 | |
| 2014 | 37 / 42.5 | 2 | $985 | |
| 2013 | 36 / 42.5 | 2 | $997 | |
| 2012 | 35.5 / 41.5 | 2 | $1,011 | |
| 2011 | 32 / 39 | 2 | $1,097 | |
| 2010 | 32.5 / 40.5 | 2 | $1,082 | |
| 2009 | 32.5 / 40.5 | 2 | $1,082 | |
| 2008 | 32.5 / 40.5 | 2 | $1,082 | |
| 2007 | 32.5 / 40.5 | 2 | $1,082 | |
| 2006 | 33 / 40.5 | 2 | $1,067 | |
| 2005 | 35 / 40.5 | 2 | $1,024 | |
| 2004 | 35 / 40.5 | 2 | $1,024 | |
| 2003 | 35.5 / 41 | 2 | $1,024 | |
| 2002 | 31 / 40 | 1 | $1,129 | |
| 2001 | 31 / 39 | 1 | $1,129 | |
| 2000 | 30 / 39 | 1 | $1,164 | |
| 1999 | 30 / 38 | 1 | $1,164 | |
| 1998 | 30 / 39 | 1 | $1,129 | |
| 1997 | 31 / 39 | 1 | $1,129 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 70 EPA ratings of the Honda Civic — 9 engines across 1984–2026. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $1,683. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2026 Honda Civic get?
42.5 mpg combined, 41 city and 44 highway, per EPA; its 2 versions that year range from 36 to 49. Across every year since 1984 the Civic has averaged 37.8 mpg.
Is the 2026 Civic more efficient than the 2025?
About the same: 42.5 against 42.5 mpg combined.
Which Civic year has the best gas mileage?
The 2026, at 42.5 mpg combined (41 city, 44 highway), which is also the latest model year we hold.
Does the Civic get better gas mileage than the Nissan Sentra?
Yes: 42.5 mpg for the 2026 Civic against 33.5 for the 2026 Nissan Sentra, about $242 a year less to run.
Is the Civic hybrid worth the extra cost?
In our listings a hybrid asks a median $1,861 more than a gas Civic of the same year and saves about $283 a year in fuel, so it pays back in about 6.6 years.
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