carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $28,542–$38,230 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2020 Honda Civic SL at 8.1/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this sedan. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 9.0/10, while Performance at 6.8/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 9.0/10, reliability is one of this sedan's best cards — few vehicles in our database score higher on this dimension. The 8.6/10 safety score puts it near the top of the class on this dimension; the official trim-level results at nhtsa.gov are worth a final check.
Performance at 6.8/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Tech rates a reasonable 7.5/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $28,542–$38,230, 29 MPG, seating 5, the Honda Civic SL sits in the mid-market bracket of the sedan segment. Value is where it presses its advantage — 8.0/10, meaning the feature set and quality outrun the asking price. At 6 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2020 Honda Civic SL is a solid, well-rounded sedan that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. The main caveat is performance — worth checking if those dimensions are priorities for you. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2020 Honda Civic SL ranks #117 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 91% of the segment. Its 8.1/10 overall score is 0.6 points above the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $28,542 starting price sits close to the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $35k →
Smart-money pick: the 2017 Honda Civic SL scores 7.9/10 — within striking distance of the 2020's 8.1 — and starts roughly $3,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8.3/10 | $33,407 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 8.3/10 | $32,435 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 8.2/10 | $31,461 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 8.2/10 | $30,488 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 8.1/10 | $29,515 | Read review → |
| 2020 (this review) | 8.1/10 | $28,542 | |
| 2019 | 8.1/10 | $27,569 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 8.0/10 | $26,596 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.9/10 | $25,623 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.9/10 | $24,650 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.9/10 | $23,676 | Read review → |
We rate the 2020 Honda Civic SL's reliability 9.0/10 — one of the stronger records in its class.
It scores 8.1/10 overall, ranking #117 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 91% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2020 Honda Civic SL starts at $28,542 and ranges up to $38,230 across trims (MSRP when new). At 29 MPG, expect roughly $1,810/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Honda models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.