If you are above average height, you know the struggle of driving with bent knees by your ears! Because most car brands do not redesign their interior and storage capacity for tall drivers to stretch their legs.
Fortunately, Honda has heard your wishes and redesigned their Civic cars for ample room. But how is the Honda Civic for tall drivers?
The Honda Civic has adjustable seats to create enough leg and headroom for tall drivers. Also, the redesigned interior and exterior ensure crisp steering, easy reach for controls, and adjustable position for a comfortable ride.
It can get overwhelmingly tough to choose the best compact models. Therefore, I will lay down what makes the Honda Civic stand out. Read on!
How Comfortable Is the Honda Civic for Tall Drivers?
One common complaint of every tall driver is that compact cars lack legroom and headroom. And to drop your worries, the Honda Civic has revised its interior and features for a comfortable ride without head bumps or bent knees.
You can adjust the seats to stretch out the legs and stop hitting your head on the ceiling. The best part of the Honda Civic is it kept its seat quality intact to create ample room. Yes, I am talking sense, as the car features five seats. However, the Civic Type R hatchback has four seats.
The material of the seats is leather upholstery that cools down quickly to prevent you from sweating. The adjustable and cushioned seats make up for the lumber support lacking. So, no more back pain after a long drive.
With enough space to stretch out the legs, the pedal sits at the ideal height. So, your long legs will not be up by the ears while driving.
Also, its suspension smooths out the bumps on uneven or rough surfaces. So, the tall drivers will not bump their heads on the roof.
Of course, you will consider your kids’ comfort, along with your comfort in the car. Noting that the manufacturers have installed two sets of LATCH connectors to keep the babies comfortable and safe. Even the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has rated the safety feature Good+. To get better insights into the seats, click on the video:
Are the Interior and Exterior of the Honda Civic Cars Suitable for Tall Drivers?
The controls are within easy reach in the cabin without anything getting in the way. Hefty seat bolsters in most compact cars block the tall drivers from reaching the exact control, especially during heavy shifting or turning. But Honda has ruled out the possibility in Civic vehicles.
Why? The height and placement of the seats in the car cater to tall drivers’ ease.
Unlike other compact cars, outside visibility is not narrow in civic models. There are thin front roof pillars with mounted wing mirrors on the door for a better view. So, people with good height will not have eyestrain while adjusting to the outward view.
The car features a multi-angle rearview camera. It helps to notice anything in the back while parking or taking a turn.
Is the Storage Abundant in Honda Civic Cars?
Just because Honda has made enough room in the car for tall drivers to sit and position themselves comfortably, the Civic models need to have congested storage. The new Civic cars have up to 14.8 cubic feet of cargo space. So, the trunk can hold several grocery bags and carry-on luggage.
The cupholders and armrest bins are large enough and sit at the ideal height. And as there is enough legroom, your tall legs will not hit the holders. In case you have any doubts regarding the space, here is a video for you:
Do the Honda Civic Cars Have Value for Money?
From my marketing experience, I know that most manufacturers do not want to produce cars for tall drivers because doing so comes at the cost of other valuable features and their market value.
But Honda provides comfort and top-notch features at the same time. So, you do not have to compromise on car performance for your height. Here is a detailed review of the features:
Performance
The Turbocharged engines on the newer Sedan models accelerate quickly within 7.9 seconds. As the power grows steadily, there is no need to floor the car. For the burst of speed, the automatic transmission aids the smooth power and quick responsiveness.
As the steering wheel is well-weighted, navigating turns with the Civic is quick and agile. Its taut suspension provides a sporty ride experience which is rare at this price point.
The wheels maintain the grip even on bumpy roads. So, the tires aid the brakes to stop the car with confidence.
Technology
The on-screen menus of the touchscreen infotainment system respond quickly according to the inputs. And the best part is they have installed the system high on the dash so drivers can have better outward visibility.
The display comes between 7 to 9 inches in the newer Civic models. And, functioning with the map is more accessible with such large screens.
Connecting the Apple Carplay and Android auto projection wirelessly with smartphones is possible. And for a quicker connection, the USB cable works perfectly.
There are camera-based driving aids that can warn about frontal collisions. However, you can infrequently experience false alarms.
It takes expertise to drive cars in stop-and-go traffic. Considering that, Honda Civic cars feature adaptive cruise control to smooth out driving in heavy traffic.
Fuel Economy
The 2022 and 2022 Civic models have excellent gas mileage for compact cars. Civic leads the fuel economy by 3 to 4 mpg compared to its competitors.
The 1.5-litre engine provides 27 to 33 mpg fuel economy in the city. And it ranges between 37 to 42 mpg on the highway. With the base 2-litre engine, the car can return anywhere from 30 to 37 mpg on the city and 26 to 36 mpg on the road. The showing is impressive for a mixed-driving evaluation route.
What Are the Key Changes in the Honda Civic Cars Over the Last Few Years?
As Honda changes the Civic car features yearly, it can overwhelm the tall drivers to narrow down to the best model. To help with that, I have listed the critical difference between the models –
- The 2023 Honda Civic is no longer continuing the Base LX trim. Instead, they have lined up the Sport and R Hot Hatch trim.
- The 2022 models have more gas mileage, legroom in the hatchback, and comfortable seats than the previous models.
- They no longer produce the coupe body style in the 2021 Civic cars.
- The storage is limited in the 202o versions. But the manufacturers have redesigned the exterior.
Considering the changes, I’d recommend getting the 2022 or 2023 models, especially if legroom and headroom are what you’re concerned about!
How Is Honda Civic Different Than Its Competitors?
Many manufacturers have started to consider tall people’s concerns before redesigning their cars. Therefore, there are some compact cars with enough legroom.
And Toyota Corolla and Mazda3 are the main rivals of Honda Civics. But what makes the Civic cars stand out? Let’s get to know –
Honda Civic VS Toyota
Toyota Corolla is impressive in its exterior and body styles. Also, it provides enough head and legroom. But the engine accelerates slower than the Honda Civic. Also, tall drivers can have difficulty adjusting their legs to avoid smacking the cup holders.
The only plus side is the Corolla costs $3000 less than the Civic. But the Civic cars lead the performance in fuel economy, interior, technology, and cargo space.
Honda Civic VS Mazda3
Mazda3 does come with comfort, top-notch technology, and sleek designs. But at the cost of gas mileage. So, if you do not want to spend thousands of dollars on fuel costs, choose Honda Civic.
Also, the steering is not crisp in the Mazda3, unlike the Civic. And tall drivers with gangly arms do require smooth steering while navigating turns.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What Is the Cost of Honda Civic Cars?
The latest Honda 2023 Civic model costs approximately $24650. And for the midrange EX trim, you will have to pay $2000 more. The range of cost might be around 29650 dollars for the Touring trim.
- What Is the Cost of Insuring a Honda Civic?
There is no fixed pricing for insuring the Honda Civic. Because based on the type of insurance and level of coverage, the cost can increase or decrease. Also, according to different locations, gender, and credit score, the price can vary.
- What Is the Ranking of Honda Civic?
The Honda Civic cars rank #1 in the compact car industry because no other models can simultaneously provide high-end features, performance, and comfort for people of different heights.
Conclusion
Honda Civic for tall drivers not only provides comfort but offers high-end technology and performance, unlike other compact cars.
The Civic models are indeed expensive, but they tend to cost you less on fuel and maintenance in the long run. The head and legroom prevent tall people from smacking their heads and leg often.
Some of the previous Civic model tires make noise while turning. So, I’d recommend you stick to the 2022 or 2023 model for a ride without annoying sounds.
About the author
Marcus Brown is editor-in-chief of The FatMech and is a mechanic with ten years' experience based in London, UK. Having worked for major dealerships for many years, Marcus now works for a local independent garage and has experience working on nearly every make and model of car. Marcus also has a passion for writing and teaching, which is where the idea for The FatMech came from. In his spare time, Marcus enjoys playing golf, doing home renovations and gardening. He lives just outside London with his wife and son.