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The Honda Civic is one of the most popular sedans in the country. However, even with a reputation for reliability and affordability, the best Honda Civic years stand out from the rest. If you’re looking for a sedan you can depend on, and the Accord is simply too big, the Civic could be your ticket to a reliable ride. However, you can stack the deck in your favor by choosing from one of the three best Honda Civic years on the used market. 

2020 Honda Civic

The 2020 Honda Civic from the tenth-generation model, is one of the best years for reliability and low maintenance costs. In the compact car segment, the Civic took the No. 3 spot among 36 nameplates with a score of 4.5 out of 5.0, per RepairPal. And with an average annual repair cost of under $370, it’s much cheaper to maintain than the industry standard.

Moreover, the 2020 Civic is one of the model years with the fewest owner-reported complaints and NHTSA-filed gripes. Specifically, the 2020 model has just 16 common owner complaints, per CarComplaints. That puts it three behind the 2021 model and 29 behind its predecessor. Of course, you’ll have to move past its arguably unfortunate looks. 

2014 Honda Civic

The 2014 Civic takes another spot among the model years with the fewest owner complaints. Most owner gripes pertain to interior accessory issues like “uncomfortable seats.” That’s hardly an unfixable or intolerable issue.

A Honda Civic Touring from the 2020 model year cruises around a corner.
2020 Honda Civic Touring | Honda

In fact, RepairPal reports that the average annual maintenance costs for the 2014 model are between $331 and $404. Fortunately, that range is excellent for a compact car of its age. And with a 4.5 out of 5.0 in terms of reliability, a 10-year-old Civic could be an altogether fire-and-forget sedan option. 

2012 Honda Civic

A 2012 Civic, like the 2014 model, is a ninth-generation model. And like the 2014 model, the 2012 iteration is one of the most reliable models from the nameplate’s last few generations. 

What’s more, the 2012 model has an average maintenance cost of around $400, on par with the 2014 model. Better yet, nearly every one of the 2012 model’s trim lineup is available for under $10,000 on the used market with average mileage.

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and M-ATVs. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with experience covering everything from sports cars to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (IRG) from the University of Texas at Austin and has studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC).