Initial Quality – In the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Initial Quality Study, the Honda Civic was the top-ranked compact car and received an Initial Quality Power Circle Rating of 5 out of 5.

Performance and Design – In the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study (APEAL), the Honda Civic received a Performance and Design Power Circle Rating of 3 out of 5.

Vehicle Dependability – In the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study, the 2006 Honda Civic received a Vehicle Dependability Power Circle Rating of 3 out of 5.

Fuel Economy – The 2009 Honda Civic is available with a choice between a 1.8-liter four-cylinder, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, and a gasoline/electric hybrid powertrain. There’s also a version of the 1.8-liter engine that is designed to operate on compressed natural gas (CNG). According to the EPA, fuel economy estimates for the Honda Civic’s gasoline-powered engines range from a low of 21 mpg city for the Honda Civic Si performance model to a high of 45 mpg highway for the Civic Hybrid. Our review vehicle had the most common powertrain, a 1.8-liter engine and an automatic transmission, rated to achieve 25 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. We averaged 29.2 mpg in mixed driving. Combined with our Civic Sedan’s standard 13.2-gallon fuel tank, this actual fuel economy figure results in an approximate 385-mile range between fill-ups of regular unleaded.

Safety – According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 2009 Honda Civic gets 5-star ratings for the driver and front passenger in the frontal impact test, a 4-star rating for front occupant protection in the side impact test, and a 5-star rating for rear occupant protection in the side impact test. The Civic also receives a 4-star rollover rating from the NHTSA.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety calls the Honda Civic EX-L and Hybrid a “Top Safety Pick” because they have standard stability control and receive a “Good” rating in the offset frontal impact crash test, a “Good” rating in the side impact crash test, and a “Good” rating for rear impact protection. Other Civics, which are not available with stability control, receive similar crash-test ratings but do not qualify for the “Top Safety Pick” label. Notably, the IIHS does not include the Civic Si model in any of its ratings.

Environment – The 2009 Honda Civic is available with a choice between a 1.8-liter four-cylinder, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, and a gasoline/electric hybrid powertrain. There’s also a version of the 1.8-liter engine that is designed to operate on compressed natural gas (CNG). Considering only the gasoline-powered engines and according to the EPA, the Civic consumes a minimum of 8.2 barrels of petroleum annually with the hybrid powertrain and a maximum of 14.3 barrels of petroleum annually with the Civic Si’s 2.0-liter, four-cylinder. The resulting carbon footprint ratings range from 4.4 tons of air pollution per year to 7.7 tons of air pollution per year.

The Honda Civic receives a national air pollution score of 6 out of 10 for the 1.8-liter and 2.0-liter engines, and a score of 9 out of 10 for the hybrid powertrain. California and New England air pollution scores are 6 out of 10 for the 2.0-liter engine, 7 out of 10 for the 1.8-liter engine, and 9.5 out of 10 for the hybrid powertrain, making the latter a Partial Zero Emission Vehicle in those regions.