How many miles per gallon did a 1974 Honda Civic get?
In typical driving, a 1974 Honda Civic with the 1.3-liter CVCC engine generally delivered about 28–32 miles per gallon in city driving, around 40–45 mpg on the highway, and a blended overall around 34–38 mpg. Cars with manual transmissions tended to post the higher highway numbers, while automatics usually finished a bit lower overall.
To understand these figures, it’s important to consider that mileage figures from the era depended on the EPA testing cycles of the 1970s, and actual results varied by market, drivetrain, and vehicle condition. The 1974 Civic was engineered for fuel efficiency during the fuel-crisis era, making economy a central selling point for this compact car.
EPA ratings and model variations
Note: The figures below reflect typical ranges for the 1974 Civic’s common configurations, acknowledging that exact numbers could differ by transmission and maintenance status.
- Manual transmission (1.3L CVCC)
- City: 28–32 mpg
- Highway: 40–45 mpg
- Combined: 34–38 mpg
- Automatic transmission (1.3L CVCC)
- City: 27–31 mpg
- Highway: 38–44 mpg
- Combined: 32–36 mpg
These figures are typical ranges; actual mileage depended on maintenance, tire condition, load, climate, and how the car was driven.
Factors that influenced mileage in 1974
Maintenance, tire type and condition, alignment, payload, and driving style all played a role. Keeping up with tune-ups, using proper tires, and driving at steady speeds could noticeably affect the Civic’s miles-per-gallon performance.
How this compares to later Civics
Early Civics established a reputation for efficiency that carried into later generations, which generally improved or maintained strong highway economy while offering more features and comfort.
Summary
The 1974 Honda Civic’s mpg was businesslike: roughly 28–32 mpg in the city, about 40–45 mpg on the highway, with a combined figure around 34–38 mpg depending on whether the car had a manual or automatic transmission and its condition. As with any vintage car, real-world results varied based on maintenance, tires, and driving habits.
How many miles per gallon does a 1974 Honda Civic get?
The 1974 Honda Civic's fuel economy was approximately 41 miles per gallon on the highway and 29 miles per gallon in the city. Some sources also cite as high as 40-50 mpg on the highway for the first generation, which was a key feature of the model during the 1970s oil crisis.
- Highway MPG: Around 41 mpg, with some reports reaching up to 50 mpg.
- City MPG: Approximately 29 mpg, based on EPA testing simulating urban driving.
- Engine: The base model featured a 1.2-liter or 1.5-liter engine.
- Significance: The car's high fuel efficiency was a major selling point during the 1970s oil crisis, making it a very popular and economical choice.
What year of Civic to stay away from?
Years to avoid for the Honda Civic include 2001–2005, mainly for automatic transmission failures; 2006–2009, due to cracked engine blocks in some models; 2012, due to poor interior quality and a decrease in ride comfort; and 2016, which had problems with its air conditioning system and Bluetooth connectivity. Some 2014-2015 and 2016-2018 CVT-equipped models have also had specific issues, such as broken drive pulley shafts and oil dilution, respectively.
Model years to avoid
- 2001–2005 (Seventh Generation): This is the least reliable generation, with the 2001 model year being the worst due to a high number of complaints, primarily for automatic transmission failure.
- 2006–2009 (Eighth Generation): These years are known for cracked engine blocks in some 1.8L R18 engines, which can lead to coolant leaks and engine failure.
- 2012 (Ninth Generation): This model was criticized for a downgrade in interior materials and build quality compared to previous years.
- 2016 (Tenth Generation): This year is known for issues with its air conditioning system and faulty Bluetooth connectivity.
Other potential problem years to research further
- 2003–2005: Some hybrid models had issues with their batteries.
- 2014–2015: Some models with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) had a recall for a broken drive pulley shaft.
- 2016–2018: Certain 1.5L turbo engines may experience oil dilution, especially in colder climates.
How many miles per gallon does a 1975 Honda Civic get?
40-50 mpg
Brakes: Front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. Suspension: Independent MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion bar rear suspension. Fuel Economy: 40-50 mpg, making it extremely economical to operate during the oil crisis of the 1970s.
How many miles per gallon did a 1973 Honda Civic get?
40 miles per gallon
But most importantly, as the OPEC oil embargo reached its crescendo in 1973 and '74, the Civic got an honest 40 miles per gallon – about 7.0 L/100 km – in real-world driving. This was in a time when even the most frugal of American cars struggled to eclipse 20 miles per gallon.
