2009 Honda Civic Prices

Table of Contents
2009 Honda Civic Review
2009 Honda Civic Road Test
2009 Honda Civic Competition

2009 Honda Civic Pricing Information
Every 2009 Honda Civic comes with antilock brakes, a steering wheel that tilts and telescopes, a driver’s seat that adjusts for height, power windows, and manual transmission. Honda doesn’t offer options per se. It instead adds equipment with each step up the model line. To the base prices listed below, add about $800 for automatic transmission, unless otherwise noted.

Entry to the 2009 Civic line is via the DX version (around $15,750 for the coupe, $16,075 for the sedan). The 2009 Honda Civic DX is a stripper, however. That’s where the new DX-VP model comes in: It adds air conditioning and a stereo system for about $750 more than the base DX. Those features, plus cruise control, power mirrors and locks, and remote keyless entry, are standard on the Civic LX (around $17,700 coupe, $18,025 sedan). The new LX-S sedan builds on that with 16-inch alloy wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel, unique interior trim, and other details; it starts at $18,625.

Honda Civic EX versions (around $19,875, coupe or sedan) put auxiliary audio controls on the steering wheel and add rear disc brakes, a power sunroof, variable-speed windshield wipers, and an outside-temperature gauge. The “L” in EX-L versions (around $21,445 coupe or sedan) denotes leather seating surfaces and steering-wheel rim; this is accompanied by heated front seats.

2009 Civic DX, LX, EX, and EX-L models use a 140-horserpower 1.8-liter engine with a five-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic. DX versions have 15-inch tires, LXs have 16s; both have steel wheels and plastic wheel covers. EX and EX-L have 16-inch tires on alloy wheels.

Civic turns up the wick with the Si models (around $22,000 coupe, $22,400 for the sedan). They use a 197-horsepower 2.0-liter and mandatory six-speed manual transmission. Accelerating rapidly in lightweight front-wheel-drive cars with this amount of power tends to set the front end pulling to and fro. The Si attempts to mitigate this “torque-steer” effect with traction control and a limited-slip differential; the basic purpose of both is to feed power more evenly to each front wheel.

Helping Si Civics go around corners quickly is the task of the sport suspension and low-profile 17-inch wheels and tires (specific high-grip performance tires are available, too). Corner fast enough for gravitational forces to push you sideways in your seat and extra-firm side bolsters hold you snug. Uprated brakes help call a halt to all this action while a rear spoiler, special alloy wheels, and discrete decals call for attention.

Named for Honda’s top Japanese aftermarket tuner, the Mugen Si (mugen translates to “without limits”) is a limited-edition sedan that takes the Si a step further with a racetrack-tuned suspension, special 18-inch wheels and tires, and custom-look aerodynamic body trim. The Mugen Si retains the 197-horsepower engine and six-speed manual, but adds a performance-tuned exhaust. About 1,000 will be offered in the United States and retail price is around $31,000.

At the other end of the Civic spectrum is the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid sedan, which starts at $24,220 and goes to $27,420 with leather upholstery and a navigation system. The Civic Hybrid combines a 1.3-liter four-cylinder gas engine with an electric motor to produce 110 horsepower. Sensors determine whether it’s more fuel-efficient for the Hybrid to propel itself via its electric motor, gas engine, or the two in combination. The system self-charges the batteries. The Hybrid uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT). A CVT is essentially an automatic transmission that dispenses with pre-set gears in favor of a rheostat-like span of ratios designed to get the most out of the engine at any given moment.

The 2009 Civic GX sedan (around $25,400) is the only dedicated natural gas-powered passenger car available to retail customers in the United States. Its 113-horsepower four-cylinder engine produces near-zero emissions. The Civic GX is aimed primarily at government fleet and commercial users, but is for sale to individuals in California and New York state.  A home refueling appliance manufactured by FuelMaker Corporation of Toronto, Canada, (www.fuelmaker.com) can be mounted to a garage wall, either indoors or outdoors, and allows the GX to refuel overnight directly from a homeowner's existing natural gas supply line.

Note that Civic EX, EX-L, Si, and Hybrid models are available with a voice-activated navigation system and satellite radio option that adds about $1,750 to the retail price. The antiskid system automatically kicks in, applying individual brakes in an effort to keep the car on course.