Honda Civic vs Volvo V40

What's the difference?

VS
Honda Civic
Honda Civic

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2025 price

Volvo V40
Volvo V40

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2018 price

Summary

2025 Honda Civic
2018 Volvo V40
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Inline 4, 2.0L

Turbo 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded/Electric

Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
4.2L/100km (combined)

5.6L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Engine sounds harsh under heavy acceleration
  • Cabin tech fiddly and hard to quickly understand
  • Middle seat in the back mostly ornamental

  • Small boot
  • Limited rear legroom
  • No Apple CarPlay
2025 Honda Civic Summary

I’m just going to cut to the chase here. This Honda Civic hybrid is a good car. A great one, even.

But for some reason, nobody is really buying it. And it’s not just because it’s not an SUV – it has been outsold in its segment this year by the the BMW 1 Series, the Mercedes A-Class, the MG4 EV, and the VW Golf. Premium and non-premium alike, they’ve all got the little Honda licked.

So, what’s going on? A CarsGuide investigation is required. Stick around and we’ll try to figure this out together.

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2018 Volvo V40 Summary

I miss my old phone. Sure, my new phone has a bigger screen and it’s smarter and faster, but my previous phone was smaller and easier to use, and now when I go to do a screen shot I accidentally hit the volume button every time. 

What I really want in a phone is a new version of the old one – and I have a feeling people may feel the same way about the 2018 Volvo V40. 

Some time next year the completely new generation V40 is expected to arrive and there will be some things I’ll miss about the old one. So, this really is your last chance to buy a new ‘old’ Volvo V40.

In a last-hurrah review, I road tested the V40 in the Inscription grade with the T4 petrol engine. What’s so 'missable' about it? Read on to find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2025 Honda Civic 2018 Volvo V40

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