Safe and Impressive Honda Civic 2007

Early in my career car, I had a conversation with a jocular fellow on what cars we'd be, given our personalities. I; t excited because Civics always accounted for logical, rational and numbingly dull. So it was with increased curiosity that I approached the 2007 Honda Civic EX, fully optioned out at $ 21,995.

The Honda Civic, like the larger Accord (read review) is one of the Honda; s bread and butter vehicles. With nearly 10 million examples sold since its introduction in 1973, the Civic is the affordable compact car other companies emulate, and probably will be for future generations. Civics past may have been the end to get the most bang for the fresh-out-of-school buck, but; Ve have a touch-and-go to class styling.

A redesigned eighth-generation version of Honda's smallest model went on sale for the 2006 model. Honda calls it the most changed Civic, since the model was introduced in the U.S. The only major change for 2007 is the addition of a high-performance sedan Civic Si.

Five different models are available: Civic sedan and coupe, Civic Si sedan and coupe and Civic Hybrid sedan. In addition, authorized dealers of Honda in California and New York have powered Civic GX natural gas. Powertrain options include a high-performance 197-hp four-cylinder engine in a Civic Si models and a gasoline / electric powertrain on the Civic Hybrid. All models have side impact and side curtain airbags, active front seat headrests and wheel brakes. Civic Three trim levels are available: DX, LX and EX.

Call It the eighth repeat of the Civic what you want, but at least it? Is boring.

Honda Civic that he says has "expressive and futuristic design." Design touches include a steeply raked windshield, minimal front and rear overhangs and reduced gap between the tires and wings. Civics use a MacPherson strut front suspension and a compact multilink double wishbone rear suspension.

Sedans and coupes have a unique wheelbase and exterior dimensions. CAR is 176.7 cm long, 69 inches wide, stand 56,5 inches tall and 106.3-inch wheelbase have. Coupet is almost two inches smaller, about the same width, 3 inches shorter and has a 2-inch shorter wheelbase.

Interior

Within each five-passenger Civic, the driver faces a two-tier instrument panel and a tilt / telescoping steering wheel. satellite navigation system is Honda's voice recognition is available on Si, Hybrid and EX models. Trunk space totals 11.5 cubic feet. Each Civic has electric windows.

Under the hood

Regular sedans and coupes Civic use a new 1.8-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder that gives 140 hp and £ 128-feet of torque. All models use a drive-by-wire throttle control.

Security

Standard safety features include wheel brakes with electronic brake force distribution frame, side impact and side curtain airbags and active head restraints on front seats.

Driving Impressions

While popular and known for reliability, recent Civics has been blamed for rock styling and rather monotonous behavior. In its current form, the sedan Civic gets a more beautiful face, perky performance and nearly flawless automatic transmission.

Given the relatively taut suspension, of the surface imperfections are visible in sedan Civic, but it is annoying. Steering effort light yet satisfactory, and the Civic is quite agile.

Civic Si

For 2007, performance-oriented model of the Honda Si is now offered as both a sedan and a conventional two-door coupe. The sedan features a rear spoiler deck, cladding and Si badging is different from the rear spoiler and investment from the coupe.

Both the Civic Si coupe and sedan hold 2.0-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder that develops 197 hp at 7800 rpm and £ 139-feet of torque at 6200 rpm. Back to top

Civic Hybrid

Introduced as a model of the 2003 Civic Hybrid was redesigned alongside the regular sedan Civic for 2006 model.

In the first generation, the gasoline engine the Civic Hybrid was dominant, and electricity appeared to be necessary to provide additional energy. Now, under some conditions low-speed cruising, the gasoline engine can be disabled temporarily and the Civic Hybrid can run solely on battery power. Honda says it Integrated Motor Assist system offers greater fuel efficiency. Hybrid interiors feature two-tone seating surfaces. prominent shoulder line running the length of the Civic, ending abruptly in a truncated tail.

The futuristic theme of the Civic continues as you open the door and peer inside. It is perhaps the most controversial aspect of the Civic, and need some time to get used to. Storage space around the cabin were abundant, with useful cubbies and corners to keep things close at hand.

Riding in the back seat of a compact sedan is never a winning proposal; The Civic is no exception.

Motivated by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine making 140 horsepower, the Civic is not a slug. Power delivery is smooth, the Civic feisty hum sounds when pressed. The Civic has surprisingly quiet ride, effectively dampening the road and wind noise. In a winding road, the Civic holds its own with composure, but softly tuned suspension, doesn 't beg to be driven fast. Or you could choose the go-go Civic Si, which now comes in sedan form in 2007.

Like big brother, the Accord, the Civic represents the middle of the road in almost every aspect. Security is a political strength, with all models get standard front airbags, seat side airbags and brakes wheels. But my loaded EX test vehicle Sedan? S sticker price of more than 20 000 were shocker, evidence that the Honda Civic wants to move onto the world.

Still, there's a reason why the Civic is so popular.