Honda’s cheapest new car gets the job done
When the original Honda Civic first arrived in the United States in 1973, its base price of just under $2,000 was one of its main selling points. Together with an economical engine and a front-wheel-drive layout that enhanced interior space and packaging, it quickly became a hit. A lot has changed since then, but Honda still represents affordability and reliability. But what is the cheapest new Honda, and does it represent the same value that was so integral to the original Civic’s success?
The Cheapest New Honda Is The Civic Sedan LX
Over 50 years later, and the cheapest new Honda in America is still a Civic. This time, though, it’s not a barebones little hatchback, but a family-friendly sedan with all the essential safety technologies. The 2026 Civic LX Sedan starts at $24,595, a price that excludes any options or the destination charge of $1,150.
This car’s key rival is the Toyota Corolla LE, which begins at $22,325. That $2,270 price difference is significant for anyone buying a budget car, so let’s see if the cheapest Honda can justify its premium.
Related: This Is The Cheapest New Toyota Car In America
Design: Conservative Yet Cohesive
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It’s impossible for the Honda Civic LX to provoke any strong reactions from a visual perspective. If you want a more evocatively styled small sedan, we recommend something like the new Kia K4. On the other hand, the Civic LX isn’t awkward or unattractive. It looks more grown up than the previous model, with neater lines and a mini Accord profile that works well.
The LX rides on plain-looking 16-inch steel wheels with covers, but 18-inch alloys are available for $1,600. The color palette leaves nothing to get excited about, with Rallye Red being the most vibrant shade.
These exterior features are standard:
- LED headlights, daytime running lights, and taillights
- Power side mirrors
- Fin-type antenna
This is a basic list, but the cheapest Honda car does have a more robust safety specification, which we’ll get to later. A decklid spoiler is available for $360, adding a hint of sportiness to the design at the back.
Interior: The Basics Are Spot-On, But Black Is The Only Color
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The latest Civic is newer than the Corolla, and this shows in the interior. It’s a cabin that doesn’t excite at first glance, but there is nothing to frustrate, which is becoming increasingly difficult to say about modern interior design. For instance, the circular gauges are dead easy to read, and there’s a conventional shift lever. Actual knobs and buttons are available to quickly adjust the climate control system, and everything emits a satisfying, tactile click when used.
At the back, the least expensive Honda has 37.4 inches of legroom, easily more than the 34.8 inches at the back of the Corolla. At 14.8 cubic feet, the Civic also has a larger trunk than its rival.
It’s a pity that the Civic only has a black interior (the Civic Sport Hybrid with a lighter interior is pictured above), though, whereas the cheapest Corolla has a variety of brighter color schemes to choose from.
Standard Civic LX features include the following:
- Seven-inch color touchscreen
- Seven-inch TFT meter display
- Four-speaker sound system
- Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Automatic single-zone climate control
- One-piece fold-down rear seatback
The Corolla has a slightly bigger touchscreen, two extra speakers, wireless smartphone connectivity, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, despite costing less than the Civic.
In terms of safety tech, the most affordable Honda includes the following:
- Forward collision warning
- Lane departure warning
- Lane-keeping assist
- Adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow
- Traffic sign recognition
- Traffic jam assist
So, while the base Civic and Corolla have a similar safety specification, the Toyota has more other standard features and offers more customization. In the Civic, the main advantages are better build quality and more space.
Performance: Dynamically Adept, But Underpowered
One of the main sacrifices that come with buying the cheapest new Honda sedan is in the performance stakes. The LX gets a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 150 horsepower and 133 lb-ft of torque. Power goes to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission; the only way to get a Civic Sedan with a manual gearbox is by going for the sporty Si.
A 0-60 mph time of about nine seconds and the typical characteristics associated with a CVT mean that the Civic LX isn’t particularly sporty, even if it’s responsive enough at low speeds. The Corolla is more powerful (169 hp), but both the Civic and Corolla are outmuscled by the base Mazda 3, which produces 191 hp.
The Civic claws back some points when matters other than horsepower are discussed. Not only does it ride comfortably, but the well-weighted steering and competent chassis make it a pleasant car to drive when the road starts to turn. If it only had another 25 to 30 horsepower, it would be that much more capable.
Efficiency works out to 32/41/36 city/highway/combined, which is comparable to the base Corolla.
Other Affordable Hondas
Besides the cheapest Honda model, there are another two that are worth a look.
Honda HR-V LX: $26,200
Starting at $26,200, this is Honda’s cheapest crossover. FWD is standard, but unlike the Civic, it’s available with AWD. The engine makes 158 hp, but the Civic is more efficient. Around an extra 10 cubic feet in the trunk makes this more practical than the Civic.
Honda Civic Hatchback Sport: $27,450
The base Civic Hatchback costs more than the Civic Sedan, but it’s equipped to a higher standard. It gets 18-inch alloy wheels, blind-spot monitoring, and an eight-speaker sound system. Besides this, a larger trunk than the sedan and sportier looks make it more appealing.
Summary: The Cheapest Honda Is Solid, But Not The Best Value In Its Class
There’s little to criticize in Honda’s cheapest new car. Yes, it doesn’t have a lot of power or customization potential, but those are the typical sacrifices one can expect when shopping in this price-sensitive segment of the market.
For less money, you can drive off in a new Corolla with more power and features, but the base Mazda 3 is even better, thanks to its upscale cabin and more potent engine. However, the Honda does offer more generous rear-seat space than both.
If it had a bit more power, the Civic Sedan would make a strong case for the best budget car in its class. But as things stand, we’d encourage you to closely compare specs and the driving experience with the Mazda and Toyota before taking the plunge.