Standout Japanese small car levels up for 2025 by going hybrid-only: 2025 Honda Civic drops petrol from the range and adds design and software tech upgrades for a modest price rise as the Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Golf rival prepares for battle

Honda has announced the Civic will transition to a hybrid-only lineup for 2025, as the brand makes minor design tweaks and adds upgraded software technology to the range.

The base-model 1.5-litre petrol variant is out, with both variants now being powered by a 2.0-litre direct-injection four-cylinder engine that produces 135kW/315Nm through an electronic continuously variable transmission as standard.

It comes paired to twin electric motors – one to power the front wheels and the other to acts as a generator to charge the 1.05kWh lithium-ion battery pack when braking.

That improves fuel consumption across the range to 4.2L/100km, putting it closely behind the Toyota Corolla's 4.0L/100km figure.

The Civic will be dearer for 2025, with the now entry-level e:HEV L variant priced at $49,900 drive-away nationally, up $2700 on the previous starting price of the petrol version.

The updated top-spec e:HEV LX is $900 more at $55,900 drive-away.

The top-spec Toyota Corolla – which is a hybrid – is about $6000 to $7000 cheaper than the Civic once you factor in on-road costs. The Volkswagen Golf is also a fair chunk of change cheaper than the Civic.

2025 Honda Civic e:HEV LX

It is still significantly cheaper than more premium alternatives such as the BMW 118 ($56,500), the Audi A3 ($53,100) and the Mercedes-Benz A200 ($56,200), all at before on-road costs.

The updated Civic gets a refreshed front bumper that deletes the previous model's fog lights. There are new 18-inch alloy wheel designs.

Inside, the bottom-spec e:HEV L loses some standard features that were previously allocated to its petrol predecessor, such as wireless charging, an auto-dimming rear view mirror and eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.

The top-spec e:HEV LX has those as standard and adds leather-appointed seats and a panoramic sunroof over the e:HEV L.

Both models add software upgrades, including Google built-in, which integrates Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play into the car’s 9.0-inch multimedia touchscreen.

2025 Honda Civic e:HEV LX

Both cars are now also hooked up to the new-generation of the Honda Connect app, which allows owners to monitor their car’s location and fuel levels as well as lock/unlock their car remotely.

Upgraded Honda Sensing safety technology also improves the car’s driver safety assist technology through what Honda said is “improve front camera software”, though that is the extent of the details.

The Civic currently boasts a five-star ANCAP safety rating in line with 2022 protocols. It carries 11 airbags and standard safety features like Lane Keep Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Traffic Sign Recognition and Adaptive Cruise Control.

As before, the Civic is covered by a five-year/unlimited km warranty, which includes five years of free roadside assistance and capped price servicing at $199 for the first five visits.

2025 Honda Civic pricing

Prices are calculated at national drive-away