2001 Honda Civic Review

The first Civic was tiny, but launched Honda as a major automaker. It also got Honda's ball rolling in this country when introduced in 1973--just in time for the gasoline crunch and skyrocketing fuel prices.

The front-drive Civic not only was a fuel miser, it also was refined when American small cars were crude. And the Civic was innovative--the 1976 model was the first car to meet strict new U.S. emissions standards without need for a catalytic converter. American automakers relied on that device to allow cars to meet the standards while enabling them to run smoothly. In 1986, the CRX-HF was the first mass-produced four-cylinder car to break the 50-mpg barrier.

The revamped 2001 Civic is the seventh-generation Civic. Far from tiny, it's as large as an older Honda Accord, which always has been the biggest Honda car offered in this country.

However, Honda wanted the new Civic to retain its small-car feel and nimble handling while giving it a slightly roomier interior and larger trunk. The trick was not making it bigger. So it designed the car to be a tad shorter--but a little taller. The styling is smooth but bland, with the coupe looking sharper than the sedan.

Alas, Honda switched to an inferior front suspension to help provide the added room. The ride generally is good, but gets bouncy on bumpy secondary roads and sometimes even on highway surfaces.

However, the more rigidly built Civic remains fun to drive, with quick steering, nimble handling and easily modulated brakes.

Honda also wanted the new Civic to be safer, so front side air bags are offered as a first-time option for $250. However, some models aren't available with anti-lock brakes--a major drawback.

The old Civic's small 1.6-liter four-cylinder was smooth but worked hard. It's replaced by a 1.7-liter four. That's not much of a jump in size, but the new engine provides 115 to 127 horsepower and feels more relaxed--although it registers a high 3,000 rpm in fifth gear at 65 mph.

Acceleration is lively, especially with the slick new five-speed manual transmission that works with a light, long-throw clutch and was in a $16,910 Civic EX sedan I tested. In fact, all transmissions are redesigned.

Base prices for Civic coupes and sedans range from $12,760 for the DX coupe with the manual to $17,710 for the top-line EX sedan with a four-speed automatic transmission.

The highest fuel economy is from the HX coupe, which costs $13,560 with the manual and $14,560 with Honda's continuously variable transmission (CVT). You never feel the smooth, economical CVT shifting because it has an infinite number of "gears" for all driving situations. Estimated HX economy is 36 mpg in the city and 44 on highways with the manual and 35 and 40 with the CVT. Other Civics also are easy with gasoline.

Four 6-footers fit comfortably--at least in the sedan--and the back floor comes as a surprise because it's totally flat. Still, there's insufficient width to let three adults fit comfortably in the rear of the sedan.

The front seats offer good support in the quiet interior, which has easily read gauges and Honda's typically smooth, well-placed controls. Even sound system controls are large and conveniently set high next to the ventilation controls--instead of being placed atop or below them. Nice design thinking.

The large trunk has a low opening, and seatbacks fold forward to allow cargo space to be increased.

As always, the Civic is among the most refined small cars.