It makes me extremely confused while making a decision on which car to buy. I guess you face the same dilemma. I was looking for something that would not cost me too much but come with the maximum number of features. Then I found the Honda Civic EX and LX.
I went for Honda due to its reliability. You chose this brand for the same reason, right? However, looking at the features and the prices, I found they are pretty close. Then which one should you buy, a Honda Civic EX or LX?
A detailed comparison might help you get out of this confusion. Stay tuned till the end to find out what differentiates these models from each other. At the end of this article, you will be able to make a decision about which Honda Civic you should buy.
Honda Civic EX Vs LX: Quick Comparison Chart
| Features | Honda Civic EX | Honda Civic LX |
| Engine | 1.5 liter with 4 cylinders | 2 liters with 4 cylinder |
| Power | 180 hp | 158 hp |
| Top Speed | 137 mph/220 kph | 137 mph/220 kph |
| Mileage (City/Highway) | 33 mpg/ 42 mpg | 31 mpg / 40 mpg |
| Automatic Climate Control | Dual Zone | Single |
| Audio System | 180 watt with 8 speakers | 160 watts with 4 speakers |
| Wheel Size | 17-inch | 16-inch |
| Colors Available | Rallye Red, Aegean Blue Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, Meteorite Gray Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, and Morning Mist Metallic. | Rallye Red, Aegean Blue Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, Meteorite Gray Metallic, and Platinum White Pearl. |
| Price | Starts at $26,645 | starts at $23,645 |
Honda Civic EX Vs LX: Key Differences
The above chart gives you only a brief look at the differences between these cars. Here is a detailed comparative discussion of the Honda Civic LX and EX:
1. Engine
Both the Honda Civic EX and LX come with powerful engines that can provide you with an efficient driving experience. While the engine in the LX is 158 hp, the engine in the EX is 180 hp. While the engine in the LX is 158 hp, the engine in the EX is 180 hp.
However, the capacity of the EX is only 1.5 liters with four cylinders, but the LX has a higher capacity with 2.0 liters and four cylinders.
Not to mention, the turbocharger in the Civic EX makes its engine more power efficient. Overall, you will get pretty close performance, but I will keep Honda Civic EX ahead for its more powerful engine.
| Engine Features | Honda Civic EX | Honda Civic LX |
| Capacity | 1.5 liter | 2.0-liter |
| Cylinder | 4 | 4 |
| Power | 180 Hp | 158 Hp |
| Torque | 177 lb-ft | 138 lb-ft |
| Turbocharger | Yes | N/A |
2. Speed
Although the Civic EX has a more powerful engine, both Civic sedans can reach a top speed of approximately 137 miles per hour (mph) or 220 kilometers per hour (kph).
The Honda Civic EX’s powerful engine, on the other hand, aided it in reaching higher speeds faster.
The Civic EX takes 7.5 seconds to accelerate from zero to sixty miles per hour, while the Civic EX takes 8.2 seconds. If you like to drive fast, the Civic EX is slightly ahead of the competition.
| Speed Features | Honda Civic EX | Honda Civic LX |
| Top Speed | 137 mph/220 kph | 137 mph/220 kph |
| Time to reach from 0 mph to 60 mph | 7.5 seconds | 8.2 seconds |
3. Mileage
In terms of fuel economy, the Honda Civic stays ahead with better mileage in both the city and on the highway.
The Honda Civic EX has 33 city miles per gallon (mph) or 14 city kilometers per hour and 42 highway mpg or 18 highway kpl.
At the same time, the Honda Civic LX offers 31 mpg in the city or 13 city kpl and 40 highway mpg or 17 highway kpl.
| Mileage | Honda Civic EX | Honda Civic LX |
| City | 33 mpg / 14 kpl | 31 mpg / 13 kpl |
| Highway | 42 mpg / 18 kpl | 40 mpg /17 kpl |
4. Interior design & features
Both the Honda Civic EX and LX shine with elegant interior designs and necessary features that make you comfortable whether you are driving or sitting in the rear seats.
The black cloth upholstery in LX and the leather-wrapped steering wheel in EX give the vehicle a premium look. Both of these sedans come with a modern 7-inch color touchscreen, Bluetooth connection, a USB port, push-button start, and a fold-down rear seatback.
However, the Honda Civic LX has consistent automatic temperature control. The Civic EX, on the other hand, has a dual-zone automatic temperature control feature that controls the temperature differently for the front and rear seats. Besides, the audio system in the Civic EX is also better than that in the Civic LX.
| Interior Features | Honda Civic EX | Honda Civic LX |
| Screen | 7-inch color | 7-inch color |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| USB | Yes | Yes |
| Push Button Start | Yes | Yes |
| Fold-Down Rear Seatback | Yes | Yes |
| Cargo space | 14.9 cubic feet | 14.9 cubic feet |
| Automatic Climate Control | Dual Zone | Single |
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | Yes | N/A |
| Audio System | 180 watt with 8 speakers | 160 watt with 4 speakers |
| Blind Spot Information System | Yes | N/A |
5. Exterior design & features
Both the Honda Civic EX and LX have similar exterior designs with a few minor differences. You will get automatic LED headlights, LED brake and tail lights, and power side mirrors in both models. To know more about the honda civic brake hold check our article on brake hold on honda civic.
However, the Civic EX has heated side mirrors for a better view in the winter and also has a power sunroof, which is absent in the Civic LX.
Both models are available in the same colors, with the EX offering an additional color: Morning Mist Metallic (a soft and sleek shade of baby blue).
| Exterior Features | Honda Civic EX | Honda Civic LX |
| Automatic LED Headlights | Yes | Yes |
| LED Brake Lights & Tail Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Power Side Mirrors | Yes | Yes |
| Heating Side Mirrors | Yes | N/A |
| Power sunroof | Yes | N/A |
| Colors Available | Rallye Red, Aegean Blue Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, Meteorite Gray Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, and Morning Mist Metallic. | Rallye Red, Aegean Blue Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, Meteorite Gray Metallic, and Platinum White Pearl. |
6. Wheels/Tires
Both the Honda Civic EX & LX come with all-season tires that run smoothly on all surfaces. However, the LX’s wheel is 16 inches, but the EX offers a larger wheel with a size of 17 inches.
| Features | Honda Civic EX | Honda Civic LX |
| Wheel Size | 17-inch | 16-inch |
| Seasonality | All season | All season |
7. Curb Weight
The larger wheels of the Honda Civic EX result in a heavier vehicle. The curb weight of the vehicles is 2747 lbs for the Civic EX and 2687 lbs for the Civic LX.
8. Safety features
The Honda Civic lineup is packed with essential safety features. Both the Civic EX and LX come with a lot of technological features that enhance the safety of the vehicle.
As safety is important for all vehicles, both the LX and EX offer similar safety features that include the following:
- Collision Mitigation Braking System
- Road Departure Mitigation System
- Lane management technology
- Adaptive cruise control
- Automatic high beams
- A multi-view rear camera
- Brake assistance and alerts
- Traffic Sign Recognition System
- Electronic brake distribution
- Tire pressure monitoring
- Traction control
- Three-point seatbelts
- Advanced front airbags
- Side airbags in the back seats
- Child-proof locks in the rear
- Anti-lock brakes
These safety features enable you to avoid accidents and also minimize the risk of getting hurt by any unwanted situations. However, the Honda Civic EX has an extra sensor that senses and alerts you of blind spots, which is not available in the LX.
9. Price
The Honda Civic EX is slightly more expensive than the Honda Civic LX. The price for the Honda Civic LX (2022) starts at $23,645, and the Honda Civic EX (2022) starts at $26,645. Besides, the price for the Honda Civic EX (2023) starts at $27,145.
10. Continuity
It is kind of a dealbreaker for many that Honda has discontinued the Civic LX. The last model was released in 2022, and then it was dropped. One of the reasons was that it was not able to generate a large sales margin. Budget buyers usually go for the sport edition, whereas people who can afford a more expensive vehicle go for the Civic EX.
Why buy a Honda Civic EX?
The Honda Civic EX has a lot of features that are better than the LX trim. The Civic EX has a more powerful engine, increases the speed at a faster speed, and also offers better mileage.
Besides, both the interior and exterior of the Civic are loaded with tons of features that you will not get in the Civic LX. The dual-zone temperature control, heated side mirrors, and power sunroof are my favorite features.
Not to mention, the Civic EX has a more elegant outlook. Although it is priced slightly higher, the extra features are worth every penny.
Why buy a Honda Civic LX?
If you are going for the 2022 Honda Civic LX or buying a used Civic LX from earlier years, you should buy it for its lower price. Though the difference is not much, you can still save a few thousand bucks.
Some might argue that the EX has better features, but if you look closely, they are more or less the same, with some minor differences. If you have a super tight budget, then you should go for the Civic LX, or else you can purchase the higher-end EX model.
FAQs
1. What does LX and EX mean for Honda?
The LX is the base model for the Honda Civic sedan lineup, whereas the EX falls in the mid-tier with some extra features. Aside from these, the Civic lineup includes sports, si, and touring trims.
2. Is the Honda Civic EX a sports car?
No, the Honda Civic EX is not a sports car but an economy car with tons of features. However, the Honda Civic lineup includes a sport trim that costs less and offers excellent performance.
3. Is Civic EX A VTEC?
Yes, the Honda Civic EX is equipped with a VTEC. It allows the car to have a better combustion system, resulting in greater horsepower and a faster ride.
4. Does Honda Civic EX have Turbo?
Yes, the Honda Civic has a Turbo Engine. It enables the vehicle to produce a higher power output and offers you a more efficient driving experience.
5. Does Honda LX have Turbo?
No, the Honda Civic LX does not have a turbocharged engine. It is one of the drawbacks of the vehicle, as most of the other Honda cars have this amazing feature.