If you’re looking for a new sedan, chances are you’re considering going to a Honda dealer to get one. Honda has consistently been one of the most trusted names in automobiles, garnering a reputation for crafting quality vehicles at a reasonable price. For 2023, Honda keeps things simple. In preparation for a new fleet of electrified vehicles that are on their way, their car options have been pared down to the essentials. The two nameplates that currently make up Honda’s sedan line will probably sound familiar. Both the Honda Civic and Honda Accord have been on the road for decades and are perhaps the two vehicles that have contributed the most to Honda’s good name.
The Civic and Accord may be the only two sedans Honda is producing in 2023, but there are actually way more options than it sounds like. Within each model, there are different versions aimed at specific performance goals, different powertrains, some varying body styles, etc. The Civic Type R, for example, will feel pretty different from the standard Civic sedan. With these two vehicles wearing so many different hats, it can get confusing to sift through. Here’s a breakdown of Honda’s incredibly versatile, two-car sedan lineup.
2023 Honda Civic
You know it. You love it. You’ve probably seen one from the ‘90s out in the wild recently. The Honda Civic has been around for more than 50 years. It benefits from the overhaul that the eleventh generation brought with it, debuting for the 2022 model year. This newest generation has a sophisticated design throughout and refined powertrain options, making the Civic one of the best values on the market. For the 2023 model year, there are four versions of the Civic: the Civic Sedan, the Civic Hatchback, the Civic Si Sedan, and the Civic Type R.
Civic Sedan
When you think of a sedan, you think of the Honda Civic. It has perfected the form and made a typically sleepy car feel exciting. Its two engine options are a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 158 hp and a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder that generates 180 hp. Both engines are paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), which is known for its efficiency.
The Civic sedan is available in three trim levels, starting with the base Sport model. It comes standard with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder and has a pretty luxe interior, complete with automatic climate control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The next model up, the EX, gets the upgraded turbocharged engine. It also includes heated front seats and a power moonroof. Finally, the Civic sedan Touring tops off the trim lineup, getting a leather interior, wireless charging, and a 12-speaker sound system from Bose.
Civic Hatchback
The Civic hatchback is the first of two vehicles on this list that is not a sedan. However, if you’re in the market for a sedan, there’s a good chance that a hatchback could fit your needs as well. They offer a similar driving experience but with more cargo space. The Civic hatchback, for example, has 24.5 cu.ft. of cargo space to the Civic sedan’s 14.8 cu.ft. Plus, the hatchback’s rear seats can fold down for even more space.
Another difference between the sedan and hatchback Civics is the transmission. While the Civic sedan only has the CVT, the Civic hatchback can be had with either the CVT or a six-speed manual transmission, depending on the trim. This is good news for fans of the engaging driving experience a manual provides since we see them less and less on modern cars and typically on high-performing sports cars when they do pop up. The trim options for the Civic hatchback are very similar to the sedan; it has Sport, EX-L, and Sport Touring trims.
Civic Si
Things really start to get interesting with the Civic Si. The “Si” stands for “sport injection” and has been used to designate high-performing versions of Hondas since the mid-1980s. On the outside, the Civic Si looks pretty much like the standard Civic sedan, save for a few red Si badges here and there. That’s part of what makes it fun; it doesn’t necessarily look like a sports car (nor is it priced like one, with a starting MSRP just shy of $30,000), but it drives like one thanks to a 200-hp turbocharged four-cylinder under the hood.
The Si honors its fan base by coming exclusively in a six-speed manual transmission with rev-match control, which helps ensure smooth shifting. A limited-slip differential helps the driver maintain control, as well. Inside the Civic Si, its racing-inspired elements abound. There are red accents throughout, bolstered sport seats, and a honeycomb grate that spans across the dashboard.
Civic Type R
The Type R is the magnum opus of the Civic family and another hatchback offered from the line. It’s a step up from the Civic Si in terms of performance, getting specs that are truly track-worthy. The 2023 iteration earns the honor of being the fastest Civic ever made, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.9 seconds. It takes advantage of Honda’s VTEC technology which helps to maximize both power and efficiency.
The engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that puts out 315 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Its suspension is designed to take corners like a champ, and there are plenty of standard accessories that help to drive the Type R’s performance, like four-piston brake calipers from Brembo and a big wing on the back. Like the Si, the Type R doesn’t have any trim options, coming instead in one version filled to the gills with standard features.
2023 Honda Accord
The 2023 Honda Accord doesn’t have quite as many different offerings as the Civic, but if there’s one thing that Honda has taught us, it’s the beauty of simplicity. The Accord never feels like it’s trying too hard, and the results are always satisfying. The 2023 model year will kick off a new generation of the Accord, so that means new styling and a fresh interior. The gasoline-powered Accords will come in two trims—LX and EX—both of which utilize a 192-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder. Every Accord will come standard with a number of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency braking.
Accord Hybrid
Since the Insight won’t be back for 2023, the Accord is the only sedan (or hatchback) from Honda to have a hybrid powertrain, one that generates 204 hp, by the way. It will be available in Sport, EX-L, Sport-L, and Touring trims and will have the largest infotainment touchscreen in Honda history at 12.3 inches. This model has excellent fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated 51 MPG in the city and 44 MPG on the highway.
Business as Usual
This year, it looks like Honda is sticking to the same formula that has been adding up to incredible value, focusing on crafting the best vehicles while working to ensure the cost stays affordable. Despite somewhat condensing its car line, Honda manages to make its 2023 lineup exciting with its complete mastery of the sedan and hatchback. We’ve heard the old idiom, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, but Honda refuses to settle for simply good enough. This is clear when you take a look at the newest Civic and Accord. They’ve always been good, but they just keep getting better.
