While many compact car shoppers quickly think of the Toyota Corolla as the last word in the segment, Honda’s compact car is an accomplished alternative. The 2023 Honda Civic has a couple of awards under its belt, a competitive starting price point, and a handsome redesign that distances it from its hard-to-look-at predecessor. As a result, the cheapest Honda car in the marque’s lineup is far from a compromise. 

What is Honda’s cheapest car?

Honda’s cheapest new car is a 2023 Civic Sport, which TrueCar says starts at about $24,650. Still, the Civic isn’t alone on the inexpensive side of Honda’s lineup; the HR-V starts at $25,095. The most inexpensive trim was the LX, which Honda discontinued in 2023. 

Still, even with the LX’s discontinuation, the Civic is still an affordable option in the compact car segment. In fact, the Honda car’s affordability is one of the reasons it secured Edmund’s praise as the Top Rated Car for 2023. Moreover, this isn’t the first time the Civic earned the title; the Honda model also earned the victory in 2022. 

Is the Civic better than the Accord?

The Honda Civic is smaller and more affordable than the Accord. However, potential owners seeking fuel efficiency will have to check out a 2022 Accord Hybrid trim, as the Civic goes without a hybrid. Specifically, the Accord Hybrid promises as much as 48 mpg city and 47 mpg highway.  

Still, the Civic is an award-winning platform with a hatchback option and a hot hatch Type R. The Type R is all-new for 2023 and channels 30 years of hot hatch DNA. In addition to a 315-horsepower, manual-equipped, track-ready hot hatchback, the Civic also wears a more handsome facelift than the larger Accord.

Why is the Honda Civic so popular?

The Honda Civic enjoys much of its popularity due to its affordability and reliability. Also, Edmunds commends the Civic for its “enviable range of qualities.” As a result, the Civic isn’t just popular; it’s the most popular used passenger car in America for the second year in a row. 

According to iSeeCars, the Honda model accounted for 1.8% of all used car sales in the United States in 2022. While that doesn’t sound like much, it’s enough to earn it the top spot, just above the Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima. However, the Civic’s popularity dropped year over year, from 2.0% in 2021 to 1.8% in 2022. 

Which is the best Honda car?

As far as Honda cars are concerned, the best model depends on what potential owners want from their vehicle. For instance, the Civic is a compact model with a post-facelift aesthetic and a reputation for sensibility and affordability. While the Honda car offers a hatchback, sedan, and corner-carving Type R, the Civic goes without a hybrid model. 

What do you think of the 2023 Honda Civic? Is it better than its larger sibling, the Accord? Share your opinions in the comments below!