The Honda Civic has been here so long as a desirable, high-quality economy car that it's become almost as familiar a sight as the old Volkswagen Beetle once was.
The front-drive Civic is the top-selling small car in America, with a whopping 278,426 sold this year through November -- easily beating the high-volume Chevrolet Cavalier, Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla.
The old Beetle had few rivals here for about 20 years after its 1949 debut, but the Civic has fared well despite stiff competition from many small, fuel-stingy cars almost since its introduction as a 1970 model.
This seventh-generation Civic is built to please a large cross-section of the public and offers an especially large number of 2004 Civic models, despite its entry-level status. They begin with the $12,810 DX coupe with a manual transmission and go to the $20,650 Hybrid sedan with a gasoline-electric powertrain and innovative continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
In between are the HX, which also has the CVT transmission, VP, LX, EX, GX and Si -- a veritable alphabet soup of models. Most come as both a coupe or sedan.
The Hybrid is exceptionally economical, while the Si is a junior hot rod with its 2-liter, 160-horsepower engine, special suspension and its own hatchback body style.
I tested the especially popular EX sedan. It costs $17,260 with a five-speed manual gearbox and $18,060 with a conventional four-speed automatic transmission.
If you want front side air bags for added safety, EX sedan prices jump to $17,510 with the manual and $18,310 with the automatic.
Not all Civics are offered with such air bags, but all get revised styling that makes them more attractive because Honda wants to maintain interest in this latest generation Civic, which arrived in 2001. There are redesigned front and rear bumpers, along with a new hood, headlights and grille.
The Civic still breaks no styling ground and continues to look like an economy model. At least some versions have slightly larger wheels, which enhance handling and braking by putting more rubber on the road. The EX now has standard 15-inch alloy wheels, although the 16-inch alloys on the Si would be better.
Also new for 2004 Civics are improved speakers, enhanced sound dampening and a seatbelt reminder system.
The EX has a 127-horsepower version of the small 1.7-liter, 100-117 horsepower four-cylinder engine found in other Civics -- except in the Hybrid and Si.
The EX has lively acceleration in town, although there's just average punch above 65 mph because even an engine whiz such as Honda can only do so much with a small motor. At least a 2-liter four-cylinder engine would provide better performance and not work as hard as the high-revving 1.7.
The best EX acceleration is with the manual transmission, although the automatic upshifts crisply and downshifts quickly.
The EX delivers a sparkling estimated 32 mpg in the city and 38 on highways with the manual gearbox and 30 and 38 with the automatic transmission.
All Civics are fun to drive, although the earlier small, lighter models were sportier -- but less roomy. In fact, the current Civic is virtually as large as was the old Honda Accord, which now is a mid-size auto.
The EX has quick steering, nimble handling and sure braking, with good pedal feel. The ride is comfortable partly because the sedan has a fairly long (for a subcompact car) 103.1-inch wheelbase, although it occasionally gets bouncy.
The base Civic DX is moderately well equipped, with such items as a tilt wheel, AM-FM radio and rear defogger. A new $13,410-$14,660 VP (Value Package) model based on the DX comes as a coupe or sedan and adds air conditioning, CD player and center console with armrest and storage area for a $500 savings.
The EX has such items as a power sunroof, air conditioning, cruise control, AM/FM/CD sound system, height-adjustable driver's seat, remote keyless entry, variable intermittent wipers, and power windows and locks.
The EX also has standard antilock brakes, which also are on the Hybrid and Si but aren't available for other Civics.
While it won't win beauty contests, the EX has a rather upscale look with its dual body-colored power side mirrors, door handles, and side moldings.
The car is assembled and painted in the best Honda tradition, although the underside of the trunk lid should have a covering because it has an unfinished look that can be noticed every time the trunk is opened.
There is decent room for four tall adults in the nicely designed interior, which has a no-nonsense dashboard with easily read gauges and large, smooth climate controls. Dual cupholders are within easy reach at the front of the center console, and front doors have storage pockets. However, only small objects fit in the narrow covered console bin.
The driver's seat is supportive but should slide back more for tall drivers, and leg room behind a tall driver with his seat shoved all the way back causes the knees of a 6-footer to nearly touch his seatback. The rear seat is moderately comfortable. Back windows don't roll down all the way.
The trunk is spacious for a small car and is nicely shaped, with a low, wide opening. But the lid's manual hinges steal space. Flipping the rear seatbacks forward to enlarge the cargo area via a pass-through opening calls for turning a key in an awkwardly located lock near the rear window shelf.
As with all Civics, the EX is among the most refined small cars. It also has the illustrious Honda nameplate and good resale value.
2004 HONDA CIVIC EX SEDAN
Prices
$17,260-$18,060
Likes
Improved styling. Fairly roomy. Nimble. Fuel-stingy.
Dislikes
Average highway acceleration. Larger engine would work less hard. |