An all-new eighth-generation Honda Civic debuts for the 2006 model year. While that’s great news for consumers, it’s horrible news for the competition.
Just when the competition felt like they were closing in, Honda totally reinvents its Civic. The Civic has been one of Honda’s key models since it was first introduced for 1973.
For 2006, the Honda Civic is refined and packed with features. With everything the Civic has to offer, it will likely stay firmly planted at the head of the class in the compact segment.
Available as a sedan or coupe, the
2006 Honda Civic is offered in three trim levels: DX, LX and EX. Also available are a Civic Hybrid sedan and a sporty Civic Si coupe.
My co-tester and I like Civic’s new look. The sedan now is a bit sportier and the coupe features a shorter wheelbase with unique sheet metal.
For our test, we drove a Civic sedan, which no longer looks like an entry-level car. Maybe that’s because it’s not. Honda’s new Fit becomes their entry-level vehicle, but that’s another story.
Honda’s Civic is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 140 horsepower. The 1.8-liter can be paired with either a standard 5-speed manual or optional 5-speed automatic transmission.
While the 140-horsepower 1.8-liter in Civic sedans and coupes provides enough power, enthusiasts will appreciate the Civic Si coupe. It features a 197-horsepower engine mated to an exclusive 6-speed manual gearbox with a limited-slip front differential.
As I walked around our royal blue pearl Civic sedan tester for the first time, I immediately noticed the quality fit and finish of body panels. I also noticed the larger and more angled windshield.
Stepping inside, I was welcomed to a spacious cabin with seating for five. I like the new two-tier instrument panel that places the digital speedometer high up in the driver’s line of vision.
If you like amenities, go for the EX model with navigation. That’s how our tester was equipped. Sure, the pricetag of $21,110 may seem steep for an economical car, but keep in mind that this car has it all, save for leather.
The navigation system is the latest generation, which features a 6.5-inch motorized display that
opens and closes for access to the internal single-disc CD player and a new digital audio card reader that can play MP3 and WMA files from CompactFlash and similar media via a PC card adapter.
The touch-screen navigation system features more than 7 million points of interest and the voice activation can control the navigation menus and audio system, along with input of city and street names.
The seven available audio sources include traditional AM/FM radio, compact disc, XM Satellite Radio, MP3/WMA CD, digital audio card reader, auxiliary input jack, and an accessory iPod interface. All audio systems are more powerful with as much as 350 watts and seven speakers including an 8-inch subwoofer on the EX Coupe and Si models.
In addition, the Civic provides a long list of standard safety equipment including side curtain airbags, driver’s and front passenger’s side airbags, active front seat head restraints and a 4-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD).
Honda has a tradition of making its vehicles fun-to-drive with responsive suspension tuning and refined road manners. The 2006 Honda Civic will not let you down in this regard.
I was truly awed with our tester’s impressive ride characteristics. Civic provides an incredibly quiet cabin and smooth ride. The suspension tuning, peppy engine and smooth-shifting 5-speed automatic transmission in our tester made it feel as though we were driving a vehicle in another class costing thousands more.
Also of note is the fact that the Civic is a miser when it comes to sipping gasoline. Our tester was rated at 30 mpg city and 40 mpg highway. The 2006 Honda Civic is so good, we almost feel sorry for the competition.
2006 Honda Civic 4dr EX-NAV
Engine 1.8-liter (140 hp) I4
Transmission 5-speed automatic
Drive Type FWD
Fuel Economy 30 city/40 highway
Base Price $20,560
As Tested $21,110 (includes $550 for destination)
Website http://www.honda.com