2017 Honda Civic LX vs. Ex
Comparison between 2017 Honda Civic LX and EX
1. Features and Specifications
In conclusion, the Honda Civic LX model has better engine performance but it loses the fuel efficiency, which becomes an important thing in today's automotive era. The Honda Civic EX with fuel efficiency as well as proven power transmission today can be said to have a balanced performance. Designed for auto enthusiasts who want a perfect blend of power with fuel efficiency.
Next, about the efficiency. Although it seems that there was a power difference between these two cars, the Honda Civic EX has better fuel efficiency compared with the LX type. With the same type of engine, the Honda Civic EX is using the CVT Auto transmission while the Honda Civic LX uses Auto transmission. From the results of this, the Honda Civic EX has 1 mpg more efficient than the Civic LX when driving in the city and on the highway. CVT transmission provides a very good move on a car. It is very smooth, steady, and has good power delivery. CVT transmission also has more gear ratios compared with the Auto transmission. This is what caused the difference in fuel efficiency. In the future, fuel efficiency is a very important thing. With the same engine, CVT transmission can save fuel MPGs up to 8-10 percent. CVT transmission also has more efficient acceleration.
Both of these car models use a 2.0L I-4 Engine type and this engine has been recognized as a strong engine with low maintenance. Usually, a car with this type of engine can produce a satisfactory amount of power. But according to the test results, it turns out the engine on the Honda Civic LX model generates 6 horsepower and 3 pound-feet of torque inferior to the Honda Civic EX. With a slight power difference, it can directly affect the speed of these two cars. But unfortunately, at the same test type that is acceleration test, the Honda Civic LX model has a better time. It makes the Honda Civic LX model better in terms of engine performance compared with the Honda Civic EX. Honda Civic with the LX type gets a 4-star rating in engine reliability while the Honda Civic EX gets a 3-star. But the winners are only just star symbols. Both of these cars are extremely reliable with the engine that has been described above.
Being a responsible consumer in terms of vehicle purchase is not just about exterior or interior looks. A study on how satisfactory car performances will need to be done. In relation to that, a comparison on Honda Civic LX and EX model performances will be done. Performance is not just about power, but also efficiency. Performance and efficiency here mean the ability of a car to fulfill the owner's expectations in some aspects. Power of a car is usually related to how fast the car can reach a certain speed and also the distance to reach it. While for efficiency, today it is identical with how much gas a car needs to reach the destination. Losing the finish line is the last thing that an owner wants because the car runs out of gas.
1.1. Engine performance
Additional information that you should consider is the driving factor for each engine choice. This ranges from owner to owner. If you do not mind sacrificing some low-end power for better fuel economy, the 2.0L engine might be the perfect fit for you. While the 1.5L turbo engine for the higher trims definitely has a more appealing performance aspect while not sacrificing fuel economy too much. Honda has built the 10th generation Civic with a base engine that has class average or better durability, no matter the condition or terrain. This is something to keep in mind if you plan on using the Civic as a long term investment. Honda's R&D work in Ohio's Rickenbacker Plant did extensive durability testing for statistical data on material and engine design improvements for both engine variants. In simpler terms, your 2017 Civic engine at 50,000 miles will not feel any different than a brand new one fresh off the lot. This was a bold statement given by Honda, but it should bring some assurance to new potential Civic owners everywhere. This means that no matter what choice you make between both engines, the consistent performance is something you will have to look forward to during ownership in the years to come. With the 1.5L engine having an aimed 174 hp and 162 ft/lb more buyers may be leaning towards the higher trims this time if they are looking for more power to go with the same consistent durability. The decision between both engines and how each performs is definitely the starting point and a major factor for your 2017 Civic buying experience. However, this decision will bring a chain of different results as part of the ownership experience to come in the future.
1.2. Fuel efficiency
Indeed the Civic EX has an impressive fuel efficiency with all models save the Si. Compared to the LX, the Civic EX has an improvement of 2-3 mpg due to its VTEC engine that activates on the highway. In the long-term this is enough to fork over the extra cost of the EX. Depending on how far and how aggressively you drive, the oil changes would be less frequent. It may cost more to replace the EX spark plugs, but less money goes into maintaining the VTEC engine. Overall, it's a lighter burden on the driver's wallet.
It isn't until you sit down in the Civic EX that you see why. It's all about the gas. The EX has an efficient, environmentally friendly and powerful engine with the Honda Civic Hybrid, the CNG Civic and the Si. The Civic Hybrid is a new level in economic efficiency for the motorist who doesn't want to slog. Equipped with a light but powerful IMA engine, the Hybrid can take you where want to go without putting a terribly large dent in your pocket. The CNG Civic runs fossil fuel free on natural gas; it will save both money and the environment. Finally the Si may be quick, but due to its VTEC engine it can get similar fuel economy to the LX.
Step into the Honda Civic LX and then again into the EX (and then back again, if you must), and most likely the first thing on your mind won't be the cost difference. The first thing you begin to wonder about is how similar the two cars are. It isn't immediately clear why the EX costs a hearty $20 more a month on a Honda car lease.
Engaging the Economy
1.3. Interior features
The basic models of the Honda Civic (LX) and the Honda Civic EX are very similar. They both have power windows, cruise control, rear window defroster, and a tilt and telescopic steering column. On the other hand, the EX has automatic climate control, one touch power moonroof with tilt feature, and illuminated steering wheel mounted controls. While these are all upgrades from the basic LX model, none of these are deal breakers when deciding one model from another. It was interesting that both the EX and the LX have the same specifications for interior measurements. Both the vehicles have 42.3 inches of leg room up front and 36.2 inches of leg room in the back. The interior head room for both vehicles is 37.1 inches in the front and 36.1 inches in the back. This is useful information to know, but once again not really valuable information in deciding one model from another.
1.4. Safety features
Abs is obviously included in this system. In the instance of a wheel speed differing from the others, the system adjusts braking force to the problem wheel and engine power to correct the speed. This can help bring your Civic back under control in the case of over or under steer. Lx has a rear drum brake but the Ex has disc so we'll just lump those together. If you need me to explain the difference between drum and disc brakes you probably shouldn't be driving. Both models also have an active head restraint system which moves the restraint up and forward in the instance of a rear end collision to reduce neck injuries. Let's hope you never have to test that feature out. A well thought out feature that using simple physic concepts to achieve the desired goal. In a similar vein the Civics have a frontal airbag system with a passenger side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS). This nifty little system can detect when someone is improperly sitting in the front seat and will in turn disable the airbag. Now I have no idea how safe it is to disable an airbag when you have someone sitting in the wrong place but it's thinking like this that leads to great innovation. Ex has steering wheel mounted controls and Lx does not. These are useful for not only making it easier to change tunes but also an added safety feature as you don't have to look away from the road to control the stereo. The final mention will be that both models have a rear seat child safety seat anchor points which most likely will be a bigger issue for myself than the presence of side curtain airbags on the Ex model. Step one in safety does begins at home and deals like this are a big point in Honda's favor.
2. Technology and Entertainment
Both the LX and EX models have Bluetooth and a 12-volt power outlet, but the LX will need an available accessory for these features to be accessible. The LX also has a single USB audio interface, whereas the EX will have 2. Of these, the LX will have the front hub with storage. Optional for the EX model is a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat back, hence the rear hub will not have the same storage space as the LX. In general, all models offer a range of channels for audio, including radio, AM, FM, and the glove compartment. The LX model has 4 speakers, whereas the other models offer a 180-watt audio system with 8 speakers.
The car has its own infotainment display. The Civic LX has a 5-inch color LCD screen and the EX has a 7-inch electrostatic touch screen and a customizable feature setting. The EX has many features that are accessible to it due to its touch screen, like a multi-angle rearview camera with guidelines, Honda LaneWatch, and Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with voice recognition and Honda HD Digital Traffic. Of these, LaneWatch will be available in every other Civic model except for the LX, and the standard rearview camera with guidelines is available on every model except the DX. Also of note, the multi-angle rearview camera with guidelines feature improves the LX's basic rearview camera, and the satellite-linked navigation system with voice recognition and Honda HD Digital Traffic improves upon the fully integrated navigation system.
2.1. Infotainment system
The infotainment system is important in any car and defines the modern era utility of vehicles as not just a mode of transport but a source of entertainment as well. The infotainment system in the Honda Civic range is based on a 7-inch LCD touchscreen, and it is a mission control center for connectivity, entertainment, and information. It features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. This is a basic step to enable their users by providing a seamless smartphone experience. With these features, you can access your phone's functions on the touchscreen without actually taking out your phone from your bag or pocket while you are driving. This includes access to navigation, send/receive text messages, listen to voicemails, make calls, and listen to music. This system also packs features like Bluetooth streaming, Pandora compatibility, and a SiriusXM 3-month trial. Honda has also not compromised with basic radio integration for its users, and that is why it is equipped with AM/FM, HD Radio, and also has two USB inputs which support both Android and iOS devices. In the top variant, there is also an additional 10 speakers with a subwoofer, and it sounds slightly better than bottom models due to higher watt output, but the overall experience is not that the subwoofer creates a substantial difference. In addition to the above features, the system also supports an SMS function with reading and replying capability, which is a new feature and designed to keep the driver's hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Overall, the infotainment system is the ultimate source of connection and information at the user's disposal.
2.2. Connectivity options
Connectivity options between the two models are similar. The LX and EX models both feature Bluetooth HandsFreeLink and streaming audio, which allow the driver to remain focused and observant on the road while maintaining phone conversations. This is useful for anyone who frequently drives and talks on the phone - the audio quality is very clear. Additionally, both models include a standard USB Audio Interface, located in the front compartment, which is perfect for charging your phone and/or utilizing the audio features. The USB port also provides an easy way of importing music from your personal device into the vehicle's audio system. All of these devices can be controlled via steering wheel mounted controls on both models and the availability of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This allows you to mainly control your smartphone through the car's or Siri and is considered a very useful feature for drivers. The overall audio controls are located next to the user friendly climate control. An illuminated center console located between the two front seats is primary area where the audio system can be controlled and storage of personal items is possible. HondaLink is a system featured in the EX model that connects you to your car from anywhere, enabling features such as remote start and sending destinations to your navigation system. The availability of SiriusXM Radio and HD Radio is also only in the EX model, for a free three month trial period. These two options provide a variety of listening pleasure with digital quality sound.
2.3. Audio system
The 8-speaker system also means that the audio player would have more control over the audio, like front and rear speakers, and a clearer voice because of the tweeter. The audio sources also vary. It would still have a USB and Bluetooth audio, just like the Civic LX, but also the Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Radio Data System (RDS). The audio player also uses a 7-inch Display Audio touch screen.
On the other hand, Civic EX is equipped with a better audio system. It has a 180-watt, 8-speaker audio system. Based on the Honda page, it has 8 speakers, including a subwoofer. This only means that Civic EX has a plus compared to Civic LX, which has only 4 speakers with no tweeter and a center console.
The audio system of Civic LX is equipped with a 160-watt, 4-speaker stereo system. It has USB smartphone Android Auto, Bluetooth streaming audio, and a center console with a storage compartment. It doesn't have a tweeter speaker connected to the front speaker, and the audio player uses a monochrome LED display.
3. Pricing and Value
It is hard to determine the value of the LX over the EX or vice versa. It falls into a perspective of affordability and what the individual is looking to get out of a Honda Civic. When purchasing a new car, every buyer is going to have a price range that they are looking to stay in. The LX has a base price of $18,740 compared to the EX's base price of $21,140. This is a $2400 difference (automobiles.honda.com). For a new car, this price difference is not very hefty. There is the perspective of what you are getting for the money though. In comparison to other cars, the LX has many standard features that are considered upgrades in other cars in the same category. The EX's additional features are not worth the price jump when comparing it to the LX. There are the features for both cars: 3.1. Base price 3.2. Additional features 3.3. Resale value. Now look again at the price difference and additional features of the EX. Although it is not worth the money to upgrade to the EX from the LX, the resale value of the EX after it has been used is substantially better than that of the LX (autos.aol.com). This can be associated with the features and added luxury of the EX. If the comparison in resale value would make the difference in purchasing an LX or EX.
3.1. Base price
The 2017 Honda Civic LX sedan has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting right around $19,575 including destination fee, making it one of the least expensive cars in its class. The different body styles, including coupe and hatchback, and sporty Si and Type-R models will definitely be priced higher. The base LX comes standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) adds $800 to the price tag, but is otherwise option-free. If you want the advanced Honda Sensing safety package, the cheapest way to get it is on the LX model, where it costs $1,000 more and also bundles in the aforementioned alloy wheels. Step up to Sensing and the more powerful 1.5-liter turbo, and you’re into EX territory. The 2017 Honda Civic EX engine is a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 which is a more powerful engine compared to the LX model. The base EX model starts at an MSRP of $22,015 and can reach $23,275 inclusive of the Honda Sensing package. The premium for the EX model might not be worth it if you don’t really need the extra features. The EX-T is exactly the same price as the base EX but if you opt for the manual transmission, this will knock $800 off the price tag. Step up to the EX-L and you’re looking at an MSRP of $23,800 and $24,960 for the manual and CVT respectively. The top trim is the Touring which has a MSRP of $26,600 and shortly jumps up to $27,060 if the CVT is installed. The base price of the EX model is $2,440 more expensive compared to the base LX model even if the LX model is equipped with the advanced Honda Sensing safety package.
3.2. Additional features
The addition of features is what increases the value of the Honda Civics. Every feature adds on to the convenience of driving and leads to a more enjoyable commute. Comparing the two Honda Civics, LX and EX, the EX model has several more features than the standard package of the LX. Additional features exclusive to the EX include: remote engine start, Walk-Away auto-door lock, a moonroof, smart entry, and heated side mirrors. With all of these features only available on the EX, the LX pales in comparison due to not having any of these available. The red text indicates a danger to passengers as it diverts the driver's attention from the road, the walk-away auto-door lock prevents the LX driver from locking their keys in their car and the added security feature of the smart entry help avoid theft of the vehicle or items left in the car. The moonroof is always a plus as it provides a nice open experience and provides ventilation, great for warm weather. Finally, the heated mirrors are great for drivers living in harsher climates with snow, they help maintain visibility by preventing the mirrors from fogging and also can melt any ice that forms.
3.3. Resale value
The Honda Civic has an excellent resale value. The ownership of a car can be looked at as an investment; a purchase. The goal of any investment is to get the most you can when it's sold or cashed in. One of the best things about a new car purchase is knowing that when you decide to sell the car, you will most likely get more money than a car that is more heavily used. A car loses its value at a rapid rate in the first few years, many cars losing well over 20% in the first year. With that being said, the owner of a 2017 Civic will not have to worry about losing a ton of money when reselling. This is because the Honda Civic has won both the 2017 "Best Compact Car for the Money" and "2017 Best Compact Car for Families" awards from U.S. News & World Report. Both of these awards show that the Civic is a great purchase no matter what kind of buyer, and what better way to verify it as a great buy than with an award. It is also extremely important to note the low maintenance cost of a Civic, given that it would increase the likelihood of keeping the car for a longer period of time. With low depreciation and maintenance costs, it's not a far stretch to say that a person who buys a new 2017 Civic can sell it a few years later for not much less than they paid for it. This is great value for any car buyer looking to make a smart purchase. With the award given to the 2016 Civic, the Kelley Blue Book "Overall Best Buy" awarded to the 2017 Civic, and the 2016 Civic cherry on top; the 2018 North American Car of the Year, success and the will to move onward and upward is obvious with Honda's Civic. Given the car's consistent improvement and its extremely well-received 8th, 9th, and 10th generation cars, a buyer getting his/her hands on a mid to high-level vehicle will find that when it's time to ultimately resell, it is not difficult to find a buyer for the car. Being as how the EX and the Touring have much more to offer than the LX, the chances of a person having owned either of those two models, reverting back to an LX model and buying used are high. This would be useful in the case of a person trying to sell an LX, given how they would have captured their same target market from the start.
4. Conclusion
It serves to remind the reader of the thesis and about the conclusion, whether the thesis is true, slightly true, or else. In the same time, it also serves to revisit the strongest argument and provide fresh insight. For the analysis of two varieties of the Civic Type R car, this would be revisiting the pros and cons of the car and also choosing a better car out of the two. The author concludes the thesis that the 2017 Honda Civic Type R does have better results than the previous Civic in terms of the top-up model and also in the case of serving a car with good features for certain customers, especially for customers that really tend to prefer the pick-up car. This is true due to the effort of Honda themselves, who feel the need to cover the failure of the previous model. The differences are clearly seen through both specifications and from the very beginning of the launch and the provision of the car to be purchased. For the pros and cons, the car itself sometimes has a wide range of differences due to the price and the type, though in terms of engine specs and features, the top-up model gives the same result when revisited. But in this case, the author will take an example only for the recent car he drives (Honda Civic Type A (Indonesia) with Honda Civic Type S or SI) and also about the comparison with the previous type in terms of using the same model. It turned out the results are very clear, indeed there’s a big difference between those two types. In terms of price and the exterior or interior, compared with both wide pricing, for the cheaper model the result is very different. But here the author prefers to compare the both top-up models due to the huge differences that might occur if he does compare with the lower model. For the very beginning launching time of the type R, Type S/SI always results in a different year and month, the type S and SI will have a month later after the launch of type R. This is very concerning due to the intention of Honda to force their customers to change their old car to the newer one, by providing the older ones always end up with the notion to change the old one to a new one with the same model. Now try to compare with the Civic LX and EX 2017, both will appear the same year and this was the very beginning of the launch compared with the previous years, this Honda really tried to change the old Civic to the newer one. And the difference with the very beginning launch, if compared type R and Type S/SI until now there was no statement that the Civic Type SI will be followed by the newer one, it’s still unknown. And for the result and different type model changes, Civics always end up with the problem (for example, the author’s previous car from the year 1996, 2006 or 2002 in 2016 still changing type with the newer one but with a different model, causing differences in the result and features with the same type model). Now the author is very convinced the type R always changes with the new year and the provided car would be very different from the Civic of the previous year. And the final point, the hard acceptance to find the difference in the change of the price of type R is much higher compared with the same model of the previous type, which usually changes with very slight differences. And the way of providing the car is both very direct and the result of the direct allocation of the vehicle from shipping and directly selling to the dealer. If compared to the author's case in buying type S/SI, it is usually done through direct booking from the dealer and then allocated with the other stores. Step by step, the differences between type R and the type S or SI will appear very clear with a variety of things. This is already a proven fact.
4.1. Pros and cons
Cons 1. On the downside, the 2008 Honda Civic has garnered numerous reports of unwelcome cabin noise. Reviewers and owners commonly criticize the Civic for its intrusive road and wind noise. Road and Track reports that Honda engineers are aware of the problem and have nearly eliminated it with the 2009 Civic, using additional sound dampening measures. 2. Some drivers feel that the 2008 Honda Civic is somewhat lacking in performance, especially in acceleration. Car and Driver notes that the base engine provides sluggish acceleration, and there have been mixed opinions on the Si's performance upgrade from the standard Civic engines. The Si features a 197-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder, and while some have enjoyed this power boost, others find it too similar to the standard Civic engines in acceleration capabilities. 3. Expense could be an issue for car buyers considering a 2008 Honda Civic, especially those in the market for a new car. While the Civic is relatively moderately priced with a base MSRP of $14,810 to $25,225, getting a fully equipped Civic with desirable features could add up to a pricey tag. Car buyers on tighter budgets might find that there are similar vehicles for less, particularly among used Civics with past model years.
Pros 1. Available in two body styles, the 2008 Honda Civic is a versatile compact car. The coupe features a sleek two-door design, while the sedan is more practical for small families, especially with its folding rear seats. There is no hatchback available this year, but Honda plans to reintroduce the Civic Si in a few years with more models. 2. The 2008 Honda Civic garners praise for its impressive safety features. Full-length side curtain airbags and antilock brakes come standard on every Civic, and the sedan is also available with an optional electronic stability system. In crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Civic earned five out of five stars for driver and front passenger protection in frontal impacts. 3. Another advantage to owning a 2008 Honda Civic is its renowned fuel efficiency. All Civics are powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. Models with the standard 5-speed automatic transmission earn an EPA estimate of 25/36 mpg city/highway, and the manual transmission increases city gas mileage to 26 mpg.
4.2. Recommendation
Based on the facts and figures on specification, features, and the prices between the 2017 Honda Civic LX and EX, we could make several recommendations. First of all, since not everyone could afford the extra money spent on buying extra accessories and features with all the high differences in price and total ownership of the Honda Civic, this research has made a clear view and explanation that the most cost-effective and savings buy of the Honda Civic will be the Honda Civic LX. With very slight differences in specifications, features, and not forgetting the best part of the price, the Honda Civic LX could save a ton of money for future investment. If a possible owner of a Honda Civic is a low-profile kind of person and a person who has less knowledge about cars, the study conducted also recommends that that kind of person should buy a Honda Civic LX as most of the features do not really matter to that person. Last but not least, if an owner wants a more advanced and aggressive look of a Honda Civic and is planning to get an advanced driving experience in the car without thinking of the extra few thousand spending, the recommendation will be the Honda Civic EX. With all of the good data, insights, and applied details or descriptions on comparisons conducted, the recommendations given seem to be very precise and accurate. It all depends on the future owner of the car who wants to buy the best Honda Civic based on their preference. From the conclusion, the best specifications and features of the car can be easily differentiated based on the price differences for the two models of cars chosen. It is concluded that the research made can be a reference for future car buyers of a Honda Civic between these two models as the detailed information provides a very clear view of the car he/she is going to own. Last but not least, the conclusion also includes the best insight of the recommended car model based on one's preferences and intended use of the car.