As Good As It Gets in the Compact Class
The Honda Civic sedan has been picking up awards like U2 at
the Grammies. In Toronto, at the Canadian International Auto Show, it recently was named "Car of the Year" from the Automobile Journalists' Association of Canada (AJAC). At the Chicago Auto Show it was crowned with MotorWeek's Drivers' Choice Award for Best of the Year. Earlier this year it received nods from Motor Trend with another car of the year and also has the right to brag that it's the North American car of the year, an award it received in Detroit last month.
Introduced back in 1973, Honda's Civic is now in it's eighth generation, and the new car has a lot of muscle to flex compared to its predecessors. Completely redesigned for 2006, it now sports a peppier yet still fuel efficient 1.8-litre engine under the hood. Its exterior has been reshaped, while its interior has more room and premium features.
The
Civic Sedan comes in a multiple of trim models: DX, DX-G, LX and EX. Every model is equipped with the latest i-VTEC variable valve timing technology, for maximizing power while minimizing fuel consumption, an important addition to this 16-valve, dual-overhead cam four cylinder engine. Powerful? Yes, much more than before with 140 horses at 6,300 rpm and 128 lb-ft of torque at 4,300 rpm. This is a nice change from the previous year's somewhat sluggish 1.7-liter motor - it only had 115-hp and 110 lb-ft of torque in base trim.
The new engine is linked up to a 5-speed manual transmission in standard trim, or an optional 5-speed automatic. The manual in my test car was smooth and easy to operate, a real joy to drive, while the engine had pep. It was pleasingly quick in the city, a touch noisy on the freeway, however the fully-independent suspension delivered a very stable ride at highway speeds and maintained its composure during lane changes. And, back to
the engine, while Honda stepped up its displacement it is even more fuel efficient than the outgoing 1.7. Therefore, with the manual transmission and driving like an EPA or EnerGuide tester, you can expect 7.8 litres per 100 kilometres in town and 5.7 litres per 100 kilometre on the highway. Real-world driving will probably result in more consumption, mind you, although it will still be one of the best available in its class.
When it came to stopping, the ABS-enhanced brakes were solid. I drove the DX-G model, which had front discs and rear drum brakes, the setup that comes on the DX, DX-G and LX models. Those who opt for the EX will be provided with rear discs as well. The car's power rack and pinion steering was good, with a little movement going a long way.
The new aerodynamic shape of the outer shell is inoffensive to look at and allows
for more interior space. Yes, the sedan has grown in size. The length is up 33 mm (1.3 inches) to 4,488 mm (176.7 inches). Its girth has also widened by 35.6 mm (1.4 inches) to 1,750 mm (68.9 inches) and its wheelbase has stretched by 81 mm (3.2 inches) to 2,700 mm (106.3 inches).
Up from wimpy 14-inch rims, the new Civic rolls on steel 15-inchers with plastic covers on DX and DX-G models. LX and EX trims float down the road on 16-inch alloys.
Up front, the seats are quite comfortable. For those who usually get stuck in the back seat, rejoice for the floor is humpless. Of course, this is normal for front-wheel drive vehicles which include all competitors in this class, but for those used to rear- or all-wheel drive vehicles this features is appreciated just the same. The flat floor gives passengers more foot space, which is especially noticeable when there are three people in back. And that rear seatback, connecting through to a large trunk, folds flat when the need arises to haul extra-long items. A minor annoyance, however, is that only the EX model includes 60/40 split rear seatbacks.
Cargo aside, all passengers travel safely in every model as well, with side-curtain airbags and 3-point seatbelts standard across the line.
The Honda Civic sedan has been picking up awards like U2 at
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| Civic has truly cleaned up on automotive awards in Canada and abroad. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
Introduced back in 1973, Honda's Civic is now in it's eighth generation, and the new car has a lot of muscle to flex compared to its predecessors. Completely redesigned for 2006, it now sports a peppier yet still fuel efficient 1.8-litre engine under the hood. Its exterior has been reshaped, while its interior has more room and premium features.
The
 |
| Bigger engine with i-VTEC puts some significant pep in its step. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
The new engine is linked up to a 5-speed manual transmission in standard trim, or an optional 5-speed automatic. The manual in my test car was smooth and easy to operate, a real joy to drive, while the engine had pep. It was pleasingly quick in the city, a touch noisy on the freeway, however the fully-independent suspension delivered a very stable ride at highway speeds and maintained its composure during lane changes. And, back to
 |
| The standard five-speed manual makes the new Civic more fun to drive and improves fuel economy. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
When it came to stopping, the ABS-enhanced brakes were solid. I drove the DX-G model, which had front discs and rear drum brakes, the setup that comes on the DX, DX-G and LX models. Those who opt for the EX will be provided with rear discs as well. The car's power rack and pinion steering was good, with a little movement going a long way.
The new aerodynamic shape of the outer shell is inoffensive to look at and allows
 |
| Bigger, and more aerodynamic, the Civic seems to gel well withaudiences of all ages. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
Up from wimpy 14-inch rims, the new Civic rolls on steel 15-inchers with plastic covers on DX and DX-G models. LX and EX trims float down the road on 16-inch alloys.
Up front, the seats are quite comfortable. For those who usually get stuck in the back seat, rejoice for the floor is humpless. Of course, this is normal for front-wheel drive vehicles which include all competitors in this class, but for those used to rear- or all-wheel drive vehicles this features is appreciated just the same. The flat floor gives passengers more foot space, which is especially noticeable when there are three people in back. And that rear seatback, connecting through to a large trunk, folds flat when the need arises to haul extra-long items. A minor annoyance, however, is that only the EX model includes 60/40 split rear seatbacks.
Cargo aside, all passengers travel safely in every model as well, with side-curtain airbags and 3-point seatbelts standard across the line.