The 10th and 11th gen Civics are as modern as they get, and yet they retain the classic Honda driving feel.
If you’re on the lookout for one of these, you’re going to want to know what the various trim levels mean and whether there are any drastic changes between them.
In this article, we’re going to go over each trim level for the 10th and 11th gen Honda Civic so you know what packages and configurations to expect.
10th Gen Honda Civic Trims
10th gen Honda Civic sedans were available from 2016 to 2021 and the coupes were sold between 2016 and 2020. The hatchback, which is our favorite, was released in 2017.
These cars received a few updates throughout their production cycle, but they remain mostly unchanged regardless of their trim level.
This makes it a bit confusing when comparing Honda civic models to narrow down the right trim for you.
One important differentiator you need to be aware of is the engine. There are two options to choose from:
- 2.0L 4-cylinder K20C2 (158 hp), and
- 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder L15B7 producing (180 hp).
There are a total of 7 trim levels available for the 10th gen Honda Civic, but that’s excluding the SI and Type R because those two are in a league of their own.
Read on as we compare each of the 7 trim levels below.
LX (FC/FK)
Body styles: Sedan, coupe, hatchback
Engine: 2.0L 4-cylinder | 1.5L turbocharged (hatchback)
Power: 158 hp | 174 hp (hatchback)
Transmission: Manual | CVT
The LX is the base trim, making it the cheapest of the lot. But it’s not “entry-level” by any means.
It comes with automatic climate control and rearview mirror cameras that are standard, but it lacks many of the amenities and features that higher trims have.
It features 16″ steel wheels and comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, although a CVT is optional.
If you specifically want a coupe, consider springing for the LX-P trim. It has everything that the LX trim offers, with the addition of a standard CVT, moonroof, and remote start.
EX (FC/FK)
Body styles: Sedan, hatchback
Engine: 2.0L 4-cylinder | 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder (hatchback)
Power: 158 hp | 174 hp (hatchback)
Transmission: CVT
The Civic EX has the same engine as the LX but with the addition of:
- Aluminum alloy rims
- Power moonroof
- Apple CarPlay
- Android Auto
- Remote engine start
- Smart entry
As for the hatchback, the EX trim provides a larger 7″ touchscreen (as compared to the LX’s 5″ model).
One caveat with the EX trim is that it only comes with CVT which might be a dealbreaker for some enthusiasts who prefer stick shift.
EX-T (FC/FK)
Body styles: Sedan, coupe
Engine: 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder
Power: 174 hp
Transmission: Manual | CVT
The EX-T trim introduces the turbocharger for the sedan and coupe variants. Civic EX-T’s also come with larger 17” aluminum wheels, and the sedan gets a decklid spoiler.
This trim level comes with everything that the EX and LX-P have for the sedan and coupe, respectively.
EX-L (FC/FK)
Body styles: Sedan, coupe, hatchback
Engine: 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder
Power: 174 hp
Transmission: Manual | CVT
The EX-L trim level comes with everything that the EX-T offers for the sedan and coupe, as well as all the features included in the EX hatchback.
Honda’s Sensing package features are included in the EX-L Civic, so expect to see a lane-watch camera on the driver’s side mirror.
Footage from this camera will be projected straight to the infotainment system so you can monitor blind spots more effectively. The backup camera provides 3 different viewing angles.
You also get a leather-wrapped interior and heated seats.
Sport (FC/FK)
Body styles: Sedan, coupe, hatchback
Engine: 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder
Power: 174 hp | 180 hp (hatchback)
Transmission: Manual | CVT
The Sport trim was initially only available in the hatchback, but in 2019 it was made available for sedans and coupes.
However, it is important to point out that only the Sport hatchback featured 180 hp; the sedan and coupe remained at 174 hp despite having the Sport badge.
The Sport came with 18″ aluminum wheels, stiffer suspension; a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, as well as automatic climate control. The sports model also featured blacked-out trim and aggressive styling.
Sport Touring (FC/FK)
Body styles: Hatchback
Engine: 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder
Power: 180 hp
Transmission: Manual | CVT
The Sport Touring trim is exclusive to the hatchback and combines upscale features with sporty driving dynamics.
It maintains the performance of the Sport trim but adds creature comforts like heated front and rear leather seats, as well as a 450w 10-speaker sound system which includes a subwoofer.
Touring (FC/FK)
Body styles: Sedan, coupe
Engine: 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder
Power: 174 hp
Transmission: Manual | CVT
Civic Touring is a luxurious feature-rich trim, although it still has 18″ aluminum wheels and a turbocharger.
Touring models come with heated front and rear leather seats, satellite navigation, and LED headlights with automatic on/off.
10th Gen SI and Type R
Civic SI and Type R are the sports car versions of the Civic, produced from 2017 to 2021. The SI is available as either a sedan or coupe and can only be purchased with a manual transmission, which is excellent.
SI models come with limited-slip differentials, as well as adaptive damping, steering, and throttle. Install a set of Honda Civic coilovers and you’ll be inching closer to Type-R territory when it comes to handling.
Bolstered, heated sport seats are standard, and the SI comes with many of the same features seen in other Civics, such as Apple CarPlay, LED headlights, and heated side mirrors.
The SI has the same 1.5L turbocharged engine as non-SI Civics but is tuned differently for an output of 205 hp. Direct fuel injection also replaces multipoint fuel injection.
Civic Type R is in a league of its own. The car was highly anticipated in the United States and has received mixed reviews for its overly aggressive appearance.
However, Honda asserts that all the splitters and aerodynamic components serve a functional purpose.
It is only available as a hatchback and features a 2.0L turbocharged I4 that produces 306 hp. Like the SI, it features specially tuned suspension, steering, and a limited-slip differential.
The interior is unmistakably that of the Type R, with red and black racing seats and plenty of red accents throughout.
2022 11th Gen Honda Civic Configurations
The 11th generation debuted for the 2022 model year. It is offered in sedan and hatchback body styles, but manual transmission is not available for sedans.
The same trim names apply, but features and performance numbers have changed for this new generation.
There are currently 6 trim levels for the newest Civic, split between the sedan and hatchback.
The 2022 Civic SI is also available, although we have to wait until 2023 for the next-gen Type R.
In 2022, all Civic trims received the Honda Sensing safety package which combines a bunch of different safety features such as:
- Collision mitigation braking
- Forward collision warning
- Lane keep assist
- Road departure mitigation
- Adaptive cruise control
That’s one of the reasons why Honda Civic insurance rates are so affordable.
LX (FE/FL)
Body styles: Sedan, hatchback
Engine: 2.0L 4-cylinder
Power: 158 hp
Transmission: CVT
Like the 10th gen Civic, the LX for the 11th gen can be thought of as the base trim level.
It comes standard with Honda Sensing features, 16″ wheels, and modern infotainment like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a CVT, and a naturally aspirated engine.
The LX, in either sedan or hatchback form, has the same engine while the previous generation LX featured a turbocharged engine for the hatchback.
More key features include:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Low-speed follow (follows along with bumper-to-bumper traffic at low speeds)
- Lane keep assist
- Multi-angle rearview camera
- 7″ digital gauge cluster
- 7″ infotainment
- Rear airbags standard
- ACE body structure
Sport (FE/FL)
Body styles: Sedan, hatchback
Engine: 2.0L 4-cylinder
Power: 158 hp
Transmission: CVT | Manual (hatchback only)
The sport trim provides 18″ gloss-black alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an option for a 3-mode driving system that includes sport and economy modes.
Paddle shifters are also included on this trim level for a more engaging experience in CVT-equipped models. Unfortunately, 6-speed manual transmission is not an option with Sport sedans.
More features include:
- Black trim
- Black door mirrors
- Smart entry (key fob)
- Remote engine start
- 8-speaker, 180w sound system
- Leather-wrapped steering and shift knob
- 4 more speakers and a 180W audio system
EX (FE/FL)
Body styles: Sedan
Engine: 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder
Power: 180 hp
Transmission: CVT
Take a closer look at the model comparison of the Civic Sport vs EX and the first thing you’ll notice is the more powerful turbo engine.
The EX comes with 17″ alloy wheels, dual automatic climate control, heated front seats, an upgraded audio system, and a power moonroof.
Despite having the CVT, the EX Civic does not come with paddle shifters as the Sport trim does.
More features include:
- 1.5 L turbo 180 hp
- Heated door mirrors
- Blind spot info
EX-L (FE/FL)
Body styles: Hatchback
Engine: 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder
Power: 180 hp
Transmission: CVT
The EX-L is only available in hatchback form, and the EX only in sedan form. EX-L comes with all the features that the EX has, and then some.
The EX and EX-L are similar enough that the EX-L can be thought of as the hatchback version of the EX. What differentiates these from the EX-L is the features such as:
- Leather-trimmed interior
- Leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel)
- Optional navigation system
- 8-way power driver’s seat, and
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Sport Touring (FE/FL)
Body styles: Hatchback
Engine: 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder
Power: 180 hp
Transmission: CVT | Manual
The Sport Touring trim has everything from the Sport trim, along with a Bose sound system and wireless Apple CarPlay integration.
This trim level combines performance and luxury just like it did for the 10th gen Honda Civic.
Touring (FE/FL)
Body styles: Sedan
Engine: 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder
Power: 180 hp
Transmission: CVT
With the Touring trim level, you get the same 12-speaker Bose sound system and wireless Apple CarPlay that the Sport Touring models come with. But that only applies to the sedan and not the hatchback.
The EX and EX-L are very similar as noted above, and the same goes for the Sport Touring and Touring options.
More features include:
- Wireless phone charging compartment
- Leather seats
- 9″ infotainment screen
- Navigation system
- Power-operated front seats
- USB ports for rear passengers
- Paddle shifters
- LED fog lights
- Moonroof
- Parking sensors
11th Gen Civic Type R and SI
The 2022 Civic SI can be purchased as the SI or SI HPT, which includes Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires for an additional $200. The SI retains the 1.5L turbocharged engine, tuned for 200 hp.
It comes with the same 18″ wheels and Bose sound system that the higher Civic trims come with as well.
The SI is manual only. It gets a drive mode selector, rear spoiler, and a helical limited-slip differential. Check out our guide on types of limited slip differentials for more info on this technology.
Additionally, it comes with bolstered seats with red accents throughout the cabin to differentiate it from the non-SI Civics).
The new Type R has yet to be released but is expected for MY 2023. We do not yet know the performance specifications, but Honda’s website promises a more powerful Civic Type R than before.
We do know, however, that the appearance of the upcoming Type R is going to be much less flamboyant than the previous Type R, and will only come with a manual transmission.
Concluding Thoughts
Between the 10th gen and 11th gen Honda Civics, the latter is definitely more refined. It almost feels like a European car. That said, they’re among the best first cars that you can buy at the time of writing.
Honda’s decision to move away from edgy and angular aesthetics in favor of a more sophisticated design language is a change that we welcome.
Which Civic trim level do you think provides the most value for money? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
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