Which Honda Civic has the most cargo space?
The Honda Civic Hatchback offers the most cargo space of any Civic model, especially when the rear seats are folded, providing up to 46.2 cubic feet of space. The sedan variant is significantly smaller in trunk capacity.
Cargo space by body style
Here is how the main Civic body styles stack up in terms of cargo capacity for the current generation, using official measurements where available.
- Honda Civic Sedan: about 14.8 cubic feet of trunk space.
- Honda Civic Hatchback: about 25.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats; up to 46.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
In day-to-day use, the hatchback's larger cargo area and flexible rear-seat folding provide a clear advantage for carrying larger loads or irregularly shaped items.
Generational perspective
Across generations, hatchback configurations have consistently offered more cargo capacity than sedans within the Civic lineup. The current 11th-generation Civic, introduced in 2022, makes the cargo advantage for hatchbacks especially pronounced.
Summary
Bottom line: for maximum cargo space, choose the Honda Civic Hatchback. It surpasses the sedan in both standard trunk space and expanded capacity with the rear seats folded. Always verify the exact figures for the year and trim you’re considering, as specs can vary slightly by model year.
What's better, Civic ex or LX?
The main differences between the Honda Civic LX and EX are the EX's enhanced comfort and convenience features, such as a one-touch power moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, and heated front seats. The EX also comes with a more powerful turbocharged engine and upgraded wheels (17-inch alloy vs. 16-inch steel covers on the LX).
You can watch this video to see a comparison of the 2020 Honda Civic LX and EX models: 1mCoach ChadYouTube · Mar 30, 2016
| Feature | Honda Civic LX | Honda Civic EX |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L 4-cylinder (158 hp) | 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder (180 hp) |
| Wheels | 16-inch steel with full covers | 17-inch gloss black alloy |
| Moonroof | No | Yes, one-touch power moonroof |
| Climate Control | Standard | Yes, dual-zone automatic climate control |
| Heated Front Seats | No (as of 2024 model) | Yes |
| Blind Spot Monitoring | No | Yes, the Honda LaneWatch™ system |
| Steering Wheel | Standard | Yes, leather-wrapped |
| Audio System | Standard | Yes, 8-speaker audio system |
| Remote Start | No | Yes |
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Which Honda Civics to stay away from?
Years to avoid the Honda Civic include 2001–2005, 2006–2009, and 2012 and 2016, which have been associated with problems like transmission failures, cracked engine blocks, and faulty airbags. The 2001 model is often cited as the worst due to a high number of complaints, recalls, and transmission issues. Other specific years like 2007, 2009, and 2016 also have known problems such as cracked engine blocks and issues with the AC and Bluetooth systems.
Specific model years to avoid:
- 2001–2005:
- Transmission failures: The automatic transmission was known to fail around 100,000 miles.
- Engine problems: Cracked engine blocks are a known issue, especially in the 2006–2009 models.
- Airbag recalls: These models were affected by the widespread Takata airbag recall.
- Other issues: Faulty fuel pumps and battery problems in hybrids were also reported.
- 2006–2009:
- Cracked engine blocks: This was a significant problem for this generation.
- Airbag issues: Recalls were common, particularly for the hybrid models in 2006.
- 2012:
- Transmission issues: Some reports suggest problems with the transmission in this model year.
- 2016:
- AC unit and Bluetooth problems: This model year is known for issues with its air conditioning system and Bluetooth connectivity.
- Steering rack failures: Steering rack failures have been reported in some instances.
What to look for instead:
- Most reliable years:
- 2012–2015: These years generally have good reliability ratings.
- 2020–2024: Recent models are considered reliable with good fuel economy and safety ratings.
- Good alternatives:
- 2004–2005
- 2011
- 2013–2015
Which Honda Civic has the most trunk space?
One of the major factors in the difference between the Honda Civic Sedan and Hatchback is cargo capacity. The Hatchback provides 24.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, allowing for easier access and more flexibility for bulkier items.
What is the cargo capacity of a Honda Civic?
The Honda Civic's cargo space varies by model: the sedan has 14.8 cubic feet of trunk space, while the hatchback offers more, with 24.5 cubic feet and a maximum of 46.2 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down. The hatchback is better for carrying bulky items, while the sedan has a slightly more manageable trunk for daily needs.
This video gives an overview of the Honda Civic Hatchback's practicality, including its cargo space: 55sCarMaxYouTube · Sep 20, 2022
Honda Civic Sedan
- Standard cargo space: 14.8 cubic feet
- Rear seats: Can be folded down for extra length to transport larger items
Honda Civic Hatchback
- Standard cargo space: 24.5 cubic feet
- Maximum cargo space: 46.2 cubic feet with the 60/40 split rear seats folded down
- Rear seats: A 60/40 split fold-down rear seatback increases storage capacity significantly
- Trunk opening: Wide opening makes loading and unloading easier
You can watch this video to see the 2023 Honda Civic Hatchback's cargo space in inches: 54sFindTheBestCarPriceYouTube · Dec 31, 2022
Which to choose?
- For maximum flexibility: The hatchback is the better choice, as it offers significantly more cargo volume with the seats folded down.
- For a balance of convenience and space: The sedan provides enough space for most daily tasks and is designed for easy loading.
This video demonstrates how much cargo space is available in the 2025 Honda Civic Hatchback, including with the seats folded down: 13sVehicle VisionaryYouTube · Jan 7, 2024
