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Vehicle Overview
Honda's compact Civic is available in coupe and sedan body styles; it's positioned between the subcompact Fit hatchback and midsize Accord in Honda's lineup. Civics compete with the Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra and Nissan Sentra. Five distinct models are available: the Civic sedan and coupe, Civic Si sedan and coupe and the Civic Hybrid sedan. In addition, approved Honda dealers in California and New York carry a Civic GX that's powered by natural gas. Civic Si models feature a high-performance 197-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.
New for 2009
Changes for 2009 include additional trim levels — LX-S and DX-VP — that create new equipment packages for sport-minded and value-minded consumers, respectively. Also added are an electronic stability system on new trim levels, as well as Bluetooth phone connectivity and USB audio options. Styling changes include a front bumper redesign with larger openings.
Exterior
Honda says the Civic features an "expressive and futuristic design." Design touches include a steeply raked windshield, minimal front and rear overhangs and reduced gaps between the tires and fenders. It has a redesigned front bumper with more pronounced grille openings, 15-inch wheels on DX and DX-VP, 16-inch wheels on LX, LX-S, EX and EX-L, power moonroof on EX and EX-L. The LX-S adds rear deck spoiler and chrome exhaust finisher.
Interior
Inside each five-passenger Civic, the driver faces a two-tier instrument panel and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel. There is a multifunction center console. The Civic comes with power windows and power locks on LX and above trims. DX-VP models add air conditioning and an audio system to the least-expensive DX. There is a navigation system with voice recognition available in EX and EX-L. Bluetooth is limited to navigation-equipped vehicles. A USB audio interface for iPods and flash drives is available in EX and EX-L. An auxiliary stereo input jack comes standard on DX-VP and higher trim levels. Leather interior is included on EX-L. XM Satellite Radio is available. There are 12.0 cubic feet of trunk space. The LX-S adds black seats with bolsters and leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Under the Hood
Regular Civic coupes and sedans use a 1.8-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder. All models use drive-by-wire throttle control. The engine produces 140 horsepower and 128 pounds-feet of torque. The Civic comes with five-speed manual transmission and an optional five-speed automatic. There is a MacPherson strut front suspension and a compact multilink double-wishbone rear suspension.
Safety
In previous years, an electronic stability system was only available on the high-performance Si. For 2009, that system has been extended as standard equipment on the EX-L, but remains unavailable on lower trim levels. Safety features include antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, side-impact and side curtain airbags and active head restraints in front seats.
Civic Si
Honda's performance-oriented Si model — offered as both a sedan and a conventional two-door coupe — features a rear deck spoiler, cladding and Si badging that's different from the coupe's rear spoiler and cladding. It has a 2.0-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder that produces 197 hp at 7,800 rpm and 139 pounds-feet of torque at 6,200 rpm. There is a six-speed manual gearbox, limited-slip differential, deeply bolstered seats with red fabric stitching, alloy wheels with 17-inch tires, navigation system with voice recognition available, and available USB audio interface for iPods and flash drives.
