2017 Honda Civic Hatchback Makes Turbo Engine More Affordable

CARS.COM — In its goal to be the sportier sibling in the Civic lineup, the new 2017 Honda Civic hatchback ditches the base 158-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine for a standard 174-hp, turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder, and at a bargain compared with the rest of the Civic lineup. It’s without a doubt the more exciting engine and is included on the base LX hatchback with manual transmission for $20,535 with destination, undercutting other body styles by $2,500 where the turbo engine is only available on EX trim levels.

Related: Production-Ready 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback Revealed

The base LX isn’t exactly lacking typical standard features, but you won’t get desirable extras like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, push-button start or heated seats; those are standard on EX trims starting at $23,635 with continuously variable automatic transmission, and EX-L with navigation for $26,135. In between the base LX and EX is a new Sport trim level, available with manual ($22,135) or automatic transmissions ($22,935), that features the LX’s equipment plus a dual-outlet, center-mounted exhaust and more potent 180-hp version of the 1.5-liter designed to take advantage of higher-octane premium fuel.

Topping the lineup is the Sport Touring trim – pricing has not yet been announced for this model. Also not yet available is pricing for the Honda Sensing safety package, which is available on all hatchback trims and is standard on the Sport Touring model. The package includes a precollision system with automatic braking required for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick Plus status. Honda Sensing also includes lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control, and on the 2016 sedan is a $1,000 option.

Pricing is competitive with other compact hatchbacks like the Hyundai Elantra GT ($19,635), Ford Focus ($20,640), Mazda3 ($20,430) and Kia Forte ($18,940). The Civic Hatchback should be a stout offering with its standard turbocharged engine, and we’ll be able to say for sure when we get to drive the car closer to its on-sale date later this fall.

Here’s the full pricing breakdown by trim level (all prices include destination):

• LX manual transmission: $20,535
• LX CVT automatic: $21,335
• Sport manual transmission: $22,135
• Sport CVT automatic: $22,935
• EX CVT automatic: $23,635
• EX-L navigation CVT automatic: $26,135
• Sport Touring: Pricing TBA