The Honda Civic does 37.8 mpg combined (34.9 city, 42.4 highway), which works out to about $1,016 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl Hybrid does 49 mpg while 1.8L 4-cyl does 30.8 — a difference of $463 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Honda Civic engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. 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 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.085 |
| Fuel per year | $1,016 |
| Fuel over five years | $5,080 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$496 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $1,683 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 34.9 mpg | $1,100 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 42.4 mpg | $906 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.5 mpg (21%) | Typical for its type |
How the Civic changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| 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
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Honda Civic get?
37.8 mpg combined on average — 34.9 in the city and 42.4 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–2026.
How much does a Honda Civic cost in fuel per year?
About $1,016 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $5,080 over five years, or 0.085 dollars a mile.
Which Civic engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl Hybrid at 49 mpg, against 30.8 for the 1.8L 4-cyl — a difference of about $463 a year.
Is the Civic good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.