Keeping an eye on your budget is more important than ever, and that includes the cost of driving. With prices rising across the board,finding a carthat’s cheap to buy, run, and maintain has never been more crucial.
Buying anew carcan still feel like a big hit to the wallet. Between deposits, loans, fuel, insurance, and maintenance, costs stack up quickly—but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a vehicle that minimizes the financial pain.
This year, onesporty sedanstands out. Ranked third on Car Edge’s list of the cheapest cars to own over five years, it proves you can save money without giving up fun, comfort, or a turbocharged thrill behind the wheel.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Honda and other authoritative sources, including Car Edge, the EPA, and J.D. Power.
The Honda Civic Si Hits Every Mark: Fun, Practical, and Affordable
Starting at $30,250, the 2025 Honda Civic Si is already off to a strong start. But there’s more to love than just the price.
It’s the cheapest gas-powered sedan to own over five years, making it a smart choice for anyone keeping an eye on the budget.
Under the hood, a turbocharged engine delivers plenty of punch without guzzling fuel. And if you love the feel of a manual, you’re in luck—it still comes with astick shift.
Cheaper to Own Than You Might Expect
The average price of a new car in the U.S. is just under $49,000, but owning a Honda Civic Si over five years costs a lot less.Car Edge estimatesthe total comes to $35,944 and even gave it an “A+” value rating.
That price covers buying, running, maintaining, insuring, and paying off the car if you finance it. And don’t think you’re skimping—this isn’t a budget sedan that struggles to keep up with pricier competitors.
Breaking Down the Five-Year Cost of Owning a 2025 Honda Civic Si
Owning a car is about more than just filling up the tank or stopping by the shop—it’s also depreciation, interest, and insurance. The Civic Si shines across the board in all these areas:
Like many Hondas, the Civic Si isbuilt to last, boasting a 4.5/5 reliability rating fromRepairPal. Its small turbo engine delivers solid fuel efficiency—27 MPG city, 37 MPG highway—and safety and quality help keep insurance costs reasonable, too.
What the 2025 Civic Si Brings to the Table
You might expect abudget sedanto be all about getting from point A to point B.
But the Honda Civic Si proves otherwise, blending a lively engine with an engaging on-road driving experience.
It’s a standout in the affordable performance sedan segment, delivering fun without breaking the bank.
2025 Honda Civic Si Performance Specifications
This year’s Civic Si comes with just one engine option, but it’s anything but basic.
Under the hood sits a Honda Earth Dreams L15C inline-four, packed with DOHC, direct injection, 16-valve VTEC, and VTC on both intake and exhaust.
It also sports a 10.3:1 compression ratio, giving it plenty of punch for an engaging drive.
200 HP
192 LB-FT
0–60 MPH
Top Speed
135 MPH
The Civic Si’s turbocharger pumps out 17.8 PSI of boost, pushing the 2,952-pound sedan to 60 MPH in a solid mid-six-second sprint.
The setup is tuned for a lively, responsive feel, delivering peak torque between 1,800 and 5,000 RPM for instant punch even at low revs.
A Fun, Engaging Drive That Won’t Break the Bank
It’s not just the engine that makes the Civic Si stand out as a sporty sedan. Honda has packed in performance-focused features like a helical limited-slip differential for clean cornering and rev-matching for smooth downshifts on the six-speed manual, which is borrow from theType R.
You also get sport-tuned suspension with fixed-rate dampers and a three-mode drive system—Normal, Sport, and Custom—so you can tweak throttle, steering, and shift behavior to your liking.
Add performance summer tires for an extra $300, and the Civic Si sticks to corners with confidence. For the price, it delivers plenty to keep driving enthusiasts engaged and smiling all day.
No-Frills Interior With Smart Features
Beyond its budget-friendly performance, the Civic Si comes loaded with features that make everyday driving a breeze. It really punches above its weight for a sporty sedan.
True toHondaform, the interior is purposeful and thoughtfully designed, with a fully digital gauge cluster and a premium Bose audio system.
Throw in Google built-in, wireless phone connectivity, and high-quality finishes, and the Civic Si feels more upscale than its price suggests.
Interior Highlights That Impress
Step inside, and you’re greeted by heavily bolstered, heated sports seats with red stitching and integrated “Si” headrests.
A 10.2-inch digital instrument display puts turbo boost, shift lights, and G-forces front and center.
You also get a nine-inch touchscreen that handles all your navigation and infotainment needs with ease.
37.1 Inches
14.4 Cubic Feet
The Civic Si’s interior manages to feel both subtly upscale and sporty, all while keeping a polished, high-quality look.
Along with a 12-speaker Bose system with Centerpoint surround, you also get USB-C ports, a moonroof, and a red-accented steering wheel that adds a sporty touch.
Where the Civic Si Fits in the Budget Sedan World
If you love Honda, crave a manual transmission, and want a sedan that costs far less to own over five years, the new Civic Si is worth a close look.
Sure, other sedans impress—like theSubaru WRXwith its 271-horsepower turbo Boxer engine and AWD, or theHyundai Elantra Nwith aggressive styling and sharp tuning, although opinions on its looks remain mixed.
For something a little more refined, yet engaging to drive with every gear change felt, the Civic Si still takes the crown.
271 HP
276 HP
258 LB-FT
289 LB-FT
5.6 Seconds
6.2 Seconds
Even against slightly pricier sporty sedans like theVolkswagen Jetta GLI, the Civic Si holds its own in both interior style and performance.
The Jetta offers a bigger engine and optional DSG transmission, but it starts at $33,215 and costs around $36,494 to own over five years.
If you want an affordable sedan that’s quick, fun to drive daily, and has a comfortable yet sporty interior, the Civic Si should be at the top of your list.
Other Affordable New Cars Worth Considering
When it comes to gas-powered sedans, the 2025 Honda Civic Si is hard to beat. It’s fun to drive with a manual transmission, affordable to buy, cheap to maintain, and easy to live with every day—though it’s not for everyone.
For those open to EVs, the 2025 Fiat 500e takes the crown for cheapest car to own this year. Starting at $32,500, it offers 199 miles of range on a single charge and costs just $35,266 over five years.
If you need something a bit bigger, the 2025 Honda HR-V is also cheaper to own than the Civic Si at $35,528 over five years. Its 2.0-liter turbo inline-four delivers 158 horsepower, 32 MPG (FWD), and a roomy 55.1 cubic feet of cargo space.
Thankfully, for buyers who still want an ICE vehicle, there are still plenty of affordable options available.
$28,700
$27,450
$27,390
$28,295
$25,150
255 HP
150 HP
191 HP
192 HP
$36,433
$36,898
$38,357
$38,553
$38,586
