In comparison, The Civic SE is about as spacious in front as the aforementioned competition, but rear passenger space is tighter than all the rest. Trunk space is also a little smaller. But for fuel consumption, at 7.5/5.7 L/100 km city/highway (or 38/50 mpg), the Civic trumps them all.
This test car, dressed in Satin Silver Metallic paint, is particularly attractive. It is surprising how it got stares, and makes the car look a few thousands of dollars more expensive than it really is. If you're looking for exclusivity, however, you'll either have to go shopping in Honda's parts catalogue and personalize your Civic, or shop for another car altogether. The sales success of the Civic guarantees you'll be seeing a lot of them at stoplights and mall parking lots. Could you stand looking out your window every morning and see your neighbours all have the same car as you? Fifteen years ago, there was a whole family of Civics to choose from (sedan, hatchback, wagon, CRX), not anymore. The fact that there are only six exterior colours available (and only five for the coupe) doesn't help much, either.
This Special Edition model is basically a DX with a few essential features added in: air conditioning, a CD player, and power locks. All this for $16,800, or just $700 more than the base model. A 4-speed automatic transmission adds another $1,000. The 5-speed SE Coupe pictured here also had a rear decklid spoiler, for $638. Although certain other car companies offer heavy rebates, compared with competitors equipped with A/C and a CD player such as the 2005 Cavalier/Sunfire twins ($18,090 MSRP), the 2005 Focus ZX3 SE ($19,265 MSRP), Ion Quad Coupe ($18,990 MSRP) and VW Golf CL ($19,595 MSRP with AM/FM Cassette), the Civic SE is a darn good value. If you're shopping for a base Civic and have a few extra bucks a month to spare, move up to the SE, it's well worth it.
It would be hard to imagine someone walking away from this car without being impressed at how expensive it feels compared to its actual price. Sitting in a Civic just doesn't make you feel like you're in the least-expensive Honda product available here. If you're looking for a cheap, solid, sporty-looking coupe, the Civic is worth a serious look. But then again, hasn't it always been a serious contender?
Competition:
Chevrolet Cavalier, Ford Focus ZX3, Pontiac Sunfire, Saturn Ion Quad Coupe, Volkswagen Golf
Pros:
Solid, refined, and reliable
Great value
Sporty good looks
Low fuel consumption
Cons:
Everyone else has one
One of the least powerful in its class
Limited rear passenger space
Protective side mouldings are optional
photo:Michel Deslauriers
This test car, dressed in Satin Silver Metallic paint, is particularly attractive. It is surprising how it got stares, and makes the car look a few thousands of dollars more expensive than it really is. If you're looking for exclusivity, however, you'll either have to go shopping in Honda's parts catalogue and personalize your Civic, or shop for another car altogether. The sales success of the Civic guarantees you'll be seeing a lot of them at stoplights and mall parking lots. Could you stand looking out your window every morning and see your neighbours all have the same car as you? Fifteen years ago, there was a whole family of Civics to choose from (sedan, hatchback, wagon, CRX), not anymore. The fact that there are only six exterior colours available (and only five for the coupe) doesn't help much, either.
This Special Edition model is basically a DX with a few essential features added in: air conditioning, a CD player, and power locks. All this for $16,800, or just $700 more than the base model. A 4-speed automatic transmission adds another $1,000. The 5-speed SE Coupe pictured here also had a rear decklid spoiler, for $638. Although certain other car companies offer heavy rebates, compared with competitors equipped with A/C and a CD player such as the 2005 Cavalier/Sunfire twins ($18,090 MSRP), the 2005 Focus ZX3 SE ($19,265 MSRP), Ion Quad Coupe ($18,990 MSRP) and VW Golf CL ($19,595 MSRP with AM/FM Cassette), the Civic SE is a darn good value. If you're shopping for a base Civic and have a few extra bucks a month to spare, move up to the SE, it's well worth it.It would be hard to imagine someone walking away from this car without being impressed at how expensive it feels compared to its actual price. Sitting in a Civic just doesn't make you feel like you're in the least-expensive Honda product available here. If you're looking for a cheap, solid, sporty-looking coupe, the Civic is worth a serious look. But then again, hasn't it always been a serious contender?
Competition:
Chevrolet Cavalier, Ford Focus ZX3, Pontiac Sunfire, Saturn Ion Quad Coupe, Volkswagen Golf
Pros:
Solid, refined, and reliable
Great value
Sporty good looks
Low fuel consumption
Cons:
Everyone else has one
One of the least powerful in its class
Limited rear passenger space
Protective side mouldings are optional
photo:Michel Deslauriers
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