2013 Honda Civic EX vs. EX-L: What’s the Difference?
The 2013 Honda Civic EX and EX-L are mechanically identical; the EX-L primarily adds luxury touches—most notably leather upholstery and heated front seats (and typically heated side mirrors)—plus the option of factory navigation, while the EX sticks with premium cloth and no built-in navigation option. Both share the same engine, transmission family, fuel economy, safety tech, and core infotainment features, including a standard rearview camera and Bluetooth.
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How the Trims Stack Up
Honda positioned the EX as the well-equipped mainstream pick and the EX-L as the step-up for buyers who want a more premium cabin. Below are the key differences in everyday terms.
Main Differences You’ll Notice
The following list outlines the primary feature upgrades that the EX-L adds over the EX. These are the elements most shoppers will feel or use regularly.
- Leather-trimmed interior: EX-L upgrades from cloth to leather seats.
- Heated front seats: Standard on EX-L for cold-weather comfort.
- Heated side mirrors: Typically included on EX-L for better visibility in winter conditions.
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob: Adds a more upscale touch and feel.
- Factory navigation availability: EX-L can be had as “EX-L with Navigation”; the EX does not offer built-in navigation from the factory.
- Transmission availability: The EX was offered with a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic (varies by body style and market), while the EX-L was generally automatic-only.
In practice, stepping up to the EX-L is about cabin materials, winter convenience features, and the option to add integrated navigation; performance and core tech remain the same.
What Stays the Same
Despite their trim-level differences, the EX and EX-L share a long list of fundamentals—from the way they drive to the tech they include out of the box.
- Powertrain: 1.8-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder rated at about 140 hp and 128 lb-ft, paired to a 5-speed transmission (manual availability on EX; automatic common to both).
- Fuel economy: Similar EPA estimates, with both trims returning roughly 28 mpg city and up to 39 mpg highway with the automatic.
- Safety: Same structure and safety tech, including Vehicle Stability Assist, side-curtain airbags, and a standard rearview camera (part of the 2013 refresh).
- Infotainment basics: Bluetooth hands-free calling/audio, USB input, and Honda’s i-MID display are standard on both.
- Exterior and chassis: Both typically ride on 16-inch alloy wheels and include a power moonroof.
- Dimensions and ride: Identical size, suspension tuning, and everyday driving feel.
From the driver’s seat, acceleration, ride quality, and tech interfaces feel essentially the same. The EX-L focuses on comfort and convenience add-ons rather than changing how the car drives.
Drivetrain, MPG, and Driving Feel
Both trims use Honda’s 1.8-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder engine with a 5-speed gearbox. The EX was commonly available with either a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic (depending on body style and region), whereas the EX-L was typically equipped with the 5-speed automatic. EPA fuel economy ratings are effectively identical; with the automatic, expect around 28 mpg city and up to 39 mpg highway. On the road, both trims deliver the same quiet, composed ride introduced with the 2013 refresh.
Interior and Comfort Features
Inside, the EX provides well-finished cloth upholstery and a solid feature set, while the EX-L elevates the ambiance with leather and heat. The EX-L’s heated front seats and heated side mirrors are the most tangible upgrades in colder climates. Both trims include a power moonroof and the i-MID display interface; the EX-L adds leather touchpoints (steering wheel and shift knob) for a more premium feel.
Bluetooth, USB, and the i-MID screen are shared across EX and EX-L. The difference is in built-in navigation availability: only the EX-L could be optioned from the factory as “EX-L with Navigation.” If you value integrated navigation and OEM mapping/traffic features, the EX-L is the route; otherwise, both trims pair well with smartphone-based navigation via Bluetooth audio.
Safety and Driver Assistance
Safety equipment is the same on both trims. The 2013 Civic lineup benefited from a comprehensive update, making a multi-angle rearview camera standard, along with stability control, anti-lock brakes, and a reinforced body structure. There are no added driver-assistance systems specific to the EX-L over the EX for 2013; the distinction is comfort, not safety.
Wheels, Tires, and Exterior Details
Both EX and EX-L typically ride on 16-inch alloy wheels, with the sporty 17-inch setup reserved for the Si. Exterior styling cues are largely shared, so the trims look nearly identical from a distance; the EX-L’s heated mirror function is the main cold-weather exterior upgrade.
Which Trim Fits You?
If you want the best value and are fine with cloth seats, the EX covers the essentials with the same powertrain, economy, and tech as the EX-L. If you live in a colder climate, prefer leather and heated seats, or want factory navigation, the EX-L is the right pick. Shoppers who want a manual transmission will generally find it on the EX, not the EX-L.
Summary
The 2013 Honda Civic EX and EX-L drive the same and share core safety and tech. The EX-L mainly layers on comfort and convenience—leather upholstery, heated front seats and typically heated mirrors, plus the option for built-in navigation—while the EX offers similar substance with cloth seats and broader manual-transmission availability. Choose EX for value and simplicity; choose EX-L for a more premium cabin and cold-weather amenities.
What’s the difference between ex and exl Honda Civic?
The main difference is that the Honda Civic EX-L adds luxury features on top of the EX trim, primarily leather-trimmed seating and an 8-way power driver’s seat. The EX trim is a step up from the LX, offering the turbocharged engine and features like a moonroof and heated front seats, while the EX-L is an even more upgraded version, building on those features with premium interior materials and convenience.
Honda Civic EX Key Features
- Engine: 1.5L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine.
- Performance: More powerful and fuel-efficient than the lower trims.
- Interior: Leather-wrapped steering wheel, one-touch power moonroof, and heated front seats.
- Exterior: 17-inch alloy wheels.
Honda Civic EX-L Additional Features
- Interior: Leather-trimmed seats, leather-wrapped shift gear, and an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.
- Convenience: An auto-dimming rearview mirror, which is a premium upgrade found on the EX-L trim.
This video compares the EX and EX-L trims, focusing on the features included in each: 51sMcCurley HondaYouTube · Jan 4, 2024
In summary:
- Choose the EX if you want a balance of features, performance, and fuel efficiency without the full luxury of leather.
- Choose the EX-L if you desire the added comfort and premium feel of leather interior and the convenience of a power driver’s seat.
Is the Honda Civic EX-L more expensive than the EX T?
Based on this comparison of the 2018 Honda Civic EX-T’s and the 2018 Honda Civic EX-L’s specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable. Pricing: A used 2018 Honda Civic EX-T ranges from $14,996 to $22,996 while a used 2018 Honda Civic EX-L is priced between $15,779 to $23,919.
What is the difference between 2013 Honda Civic EX and EXL?
EX, EXL, LX… LX is basic standard trim level. EX is higher trim level, it has power moonroof, with letters EX in the rear trunk. EXL is EX with Leather seats. For LX sometimes, it has letters LX in the rear trunk, sometimes not at all. LX has no power moonroof.
Does the 2013 Honda Civic EX have remote start?
Honda Civic
Civics produced and sold after Honda’s initial introduction of the remote start technology include remote start features available in the EX, EX-L, and Touring trim levels.
