Is a 2013 Honda Civic a FWD or RWD?
The 2013 Honda Civic is front-wheel drive (FWD).
In 2013, Honda offered the Civic in sedan, coupe, and sportier Si variants, all with a front-wheel-drive layout. There were no factory rear-wheel-drive (RWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD) versions of the Civic for that model year in the United States or most global markets. The car’s engineering favors an economical, predictable FWD setup with a transversely mounted engine driving the front wheels.
Drive layout basics
Here are the essential features that define the 2013 Civic’s drivetrain and how to recognize a front-wheel-drive layout in this model year.
- The Civic uses a transversely mounted engine that drives the front wheels through a transaxle, establishing front-wheel drive as the standard setup.
- There is no driveshaft extending to a rear axle, which is a hallmark of rear- or all-wheel-drive systems.
- All 2013 Civic variants (including LX, EX, EX-L, and Si) are front-wheel drive; there was no factory AWD option for the Civic lineup in the major markets that year.
- Even the performance-oriented Si version remains front-wheel drive, aligning with Honda’s efficiency-focused design approach for the Civic family in 2013.
In short, the 2013 Civic’s drivetrain is front-wheel drive across the entire lineup, with no official rear-wheel-drive configuration offered that year.
How to verify a 2013 Civic's drivetrain if you're shopping used
If you're purchasing a used Civic and want to confirm the drive layout, consider these practical checks and sources.
- Inspect the underside for a rear driveshaft or rear differential; the absence of these components is consistent with FWD.
- Look under the hood: a transversely mounted engine connected to a front transaxle typically indicates FWD; there is no long rear driveshaft in the drivetrain.
- Check the vehicle’s documentation (window sticker, build sheet, or service records) for drivetrain notation such as “FWD” or “Front-wheel drive.”
- When listing information or decoding the VIN, confirm the drivetrain description; reputable sources and dealer records usually specify FWD for 2013 Civics.
If in doubt, ask the seller for the original window sticker or a factory build sheet, which will explicitly state the front-wheel-drive configuration.
Summary
The 2013 Honda Civic is definitively front-wheel drive. Across its sedan, coupe, and Si variants, Honda relied on a front-wheel-drive architecture, with no factory rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive versions offered for that model year in the common markets. For buyers or collectors, confirming FWD is straightforward through documentation or a simple undercar inspection.
