The company that makes the compact car known as the Civic is Honda. The Honda Civic is one of the Japanese automaker's best-known models and has been produced continuously since 1972.
Honda developed the Civic during a period when demand was growing for economical, reliable small cars. Its front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout provided useful interior space while keeping the vehicle compact. Early Civics were sold as small hatchbacks and sedans, and later generations expanded into coupes, wagons, hybrids, and performance-oriented versions.
The Civic is sometimes confused with the Honda Accord because both are long-running Honda nameplates. The Accord is larger and positioned above the Civic in Honda's lineup. Another possible source of confusion is Acura, Honda's luxury brand: some Civic-based models have been sold under Acura or other names in particular markets, but the Civic itself is a Honda model. Production and body styles have varied by country and generation.