The 2009 Honda Civic generally earns about 29 miles per gallon (mpg) combined, with variation by transmission and trim. Automatics tend to be around 25 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, while manuals are typically about 26 mpg city and 34 mpg highway.
In this article, we break down the official EPA ratings for the common non-Si Civics from the 2009 model year, explain how driving conditions can affect actual mileage, and note how the sportier Civic Si differs in consumption.
EPA ratings by configuration
The following breakdown covers the main U.S. market configurations for the 1.8-liter engine used in most 2009 Civics. It excludes the high-performance Civic Si, which has different fuel economy figures.
- Automatic transmission (1.8L): EPA est. 25 mpg city / 36 mpg highway / 29 mpg combined.
- Manual transmission (1.8L): EPA est. 26 mpg city / 34 mpg highway / 29 mpg combined.
Real-world mileage may vary based on driving habits, route, terrain, vehicle maintenance, and load. Highway cruising at steady speeds often yields results closer to the EPA highway numbers, while city driving or aggressive acceleration can reduce mpg.
Notes on the Civic Si
The 2009 Honda Civic Si uses a more powerful 2.0-liter engine and is not included in the above figures. Its EPA ratings are roughly 22 mpg city / 31 mpg highway, about 25 mpg combined, reflecting its sportier design and performance-oriented gearing.
Summary
Key takeaway: for most 2009 Civics with the 1.8L engine, expect about 29 mpg combined in typical use. Automatics run about 25/36 mpg (city/highway), while manuals are around 26/34 mpg. If you’re considering the Si variant, mpg will be lower (roughly 22/31 mpg city/highway).
What are the most common Civic repairs?
In a nutshell: The Honda Civic is generally a very reliable family car, with newer models performing especially well in owner surveys. Common problems include brake wear, minor electrical faults and, on some 2017-2022 1.0 VTEC Turbo models, wet belt-related engine issues that can become expensive if ignored.
How many miles does a 2009 Honda Civic get on a full tank?
Fuel & MPG
| Range in miles (city/hwy) | 192.0/288.0 mi. |
|---|---|
| Fuel tank capacity | 8.0 gal. |
How many miles per gallon does a 2009 Honda Civic get?
Front-wheel drive is standard. The most fuel-efficient 2009 Honda Civic achieves 26/34 mpg city/highway.
Which is better, city or Civic?
If you need an efficient and affordable vehicle, the City makes a lot of sense. If you want a sedan that's fun to drive and loaded with features, the Civic is worth the upgrade. If you want a sedan that's fun to drive and loaded with features, the Civic is worth the upgrade.


