The 2011 Honda Civic is offered in up to eight trim levels across sedan and coupe models, with about a $1,900 spread between the basic DX and the loaded EX-L. There’s also the SI performance model with the quicker 2.0L i-VTEC four-cylinder, and the Civic Hybrid trim, a gas-sipper capable of 43 mpg on the highway.
Key Points
- The 2011 Honda Civic comes in Sedan or Coupe models, with eight trims offered on the former and five on the latter.
- The Civic DX is very basic. However, since most models have the 1.8-liter engine, the DX is about as reliable as they come as there are fewer features to go haywire.
- LX and LX-S Civics add AC and cruise control, must-haves for commuters or anyone living in an area where it gets hot in the summer.
- The 2011 Civic SI comes with the more potent 2.0-liter engine, which we love. But sadly, it’s only paired to a manual transmission, so you have to learn or settle for the 1.8.
- Honda’s 2011 Hybrid Civic delivers an outstanding 41 miles per gallon combined. If you find one with a recently replaced battery, at about $7,500, it’s a bargain on the used market.
DX and DX-VP: For the Everyday Driver Who Puts Practicality Above Extra Features
The DX represents the basic to-and-from trim, with few creature comforts beyond what’s needed for the driving experience to be competitive vs. rival bargain models. Some of these features include:
- 15-inch steel wheels with hubcaps
- Six airbags
- Tire-pressure monitoring system
- Daytime running lights.
- ABS (a safety feature not mandated until 2013)
Other than the SI and Hybrid, all 2011 Civics have a 1.8-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder engine capable of 140 horsepower and 128 lb.-ft. of torque. In the DX and DX-VP, it’s paired to a five-speed manual transmission as standard.
An automatic five-speed is available for a cost increase of about $260 per Kelley Blue Book’s used-vehicle pricing. Simply put, the DX-VP is an upgraded DX, adding a four-speaker sound system with CD, AM/FM, and MP3 capability. What’s more, the VP adds AC, a must-have feature for most.
Honda offered the 2011 Civic as either a Sedan or Coupe. Unfortunately, the DX-VP is not available for the latter.
Civic LX and LX-S: Where the Model Really Shines Thanks to More Modern Safety and Convenience Features
The LX is likely one of the most common 2011 Civic models out there, as it comes standard with AC and a few other necessary goodies, like cruise control. Where earlier trims only have a key, LX models and above get keyless entry and a security system. Other upgrades include 16-inch wheels with hubcaps, map lights, power locks and windows, and a center console. LX and higher models also come with floor mats, and body-colored mirrors, meaning otherwise they’re simply black plastic.
Opt for the LX-S, exclusive to the Sedan, and get:
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Rear spoiler
- Sport-trimmed black interior with silver stitching
- Perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel
As you can see, the LX-S adds quite a lot of niceties. The average cost over the LX? $1,350.
Civic EX and EX-L: Top-tier Trims Add Not Just Bells and Whistles, but Safety Tech Too
Four-wheel disk brakes are standard on EX, where earlier trims have drums in the rear to cut costs. Although the EX does come standard with a sunroof, so it’s not all about price. Steering wheel-mounted audio controls also come on the EX trim. As do split-folding rear seats with an armrest, USB capability, and an upgrade from four speakers to six. While nowadays a given, an exterior temperature indicator is also present.
The EX-L adds a few significant upgrades, like:
- Leather-trimmed seats
- Heated front seats and side mirrors
- Vehicle Stability Assist
- Brake Assist
Featurewise, the EX-L offers the most you can get. Other models, like the SI and Hybrid, are built for other purposes.
Civic SI: While Only Offered With a Six-speed Manual, it Does Have a Much More Exhilarating 2.0-liter Engine
We’ll say it upfront, this is the fast model with the 197-horsepower 2.0-liter that really ups the fun factor. However, it only comes with a six-speed manual transmission, so if you can’t or don’t want to drive a stick, the SI isn’t the car you’re looking for.
Also added, a limited-slip differential, a noticeable performance enhancement in terms of handling when cornering.
Outside are fog lights and 17-inch alloys. Inside is a leather-wrapped shift knob, aluminum pedals, and seats with red stitching. Honda also put the best audio in the SI, a 350-watt system with seven speakers and a subwoofer.
Civic Hybrid: The Ultimate Gas Sipper, and a Bargain On the Used Market if the Battery Has Been Recently Replaced
Only available as a sedan, the 2011 Honda Civic Hybrid is a gas station’s worst nightmare, putting up an impressive EPA mpg rating of 41 combined. It achieves this through a 1.3-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder with a 20-horsepower electric motor system to help, called “Integrated Motor Assist.”
As for options, the Hybrid takes a step back from the EX-L and is closer to the EX. The wheel size drops to 15-inch lightweight alloys. Still, you get a cool blue-backlit display, automatic climate control, and side mirrors with turn indicators. Heated leather seats are optional, as are heated side mirrors.
Also noteworthy about the Hybrid, it comes with a CVT. While most praise Honda’s CVT in the Civic, we suggest test driving one first to feel how it differs from conventional automatics. Mainly if you aren’t used to their quirks.
Our Favorite Trim is the 2011 Civic EX-L, which is Closest to What You’d Find in a Modern Sedan and Costs Less than $10,000 On Average
Certain features have nearly become modern necessities, like:
- Alloy wheels
- ABS
- Stability control
- Steering wheel-mounted audio controls
- Brake Assist
Considering these features, we think the 2011 Honda Civic EX-L offers the most value, as it has each of those items and more. Pricewise, at about $9,600, it’s only $1,900 more on average than the base DX and worth every penny.
Oddly enough, and likely due to the cost of replacing the battery, the Hybrid offers a real bargain on the used market at just $7,500. It’s similarly equipped to an EX-L but is a little less flashy.
The standard warranty is already gone, so if you do consider a Hybrid, ask if the battery has been recently replaced, as it can cost between $2,000 to $4,000 to replace yourself.
Photos: Honda
