The seating position in the Si is a bit strange with its big dash and sharply raked windshield, reminding us of the Beetle. Out on the highway, the Civic Si engine is very responsive, giving it good performance for passing. Its unique mesh grille is framed by huge triangular headlamps which, like those of the coupe and sedan, have been updated for 2004. Ride quality, noise, vibration and harshness have not the best in the class, however. Barely push in the clutch pedal, and casually flick the lever into the next-lower cog.
Bumpers, hood, headlights and grille are all new on the coupe and the sedan, emphasizing a baby-brother resemblance to the slick and smooth Accord. Honda introduced the Civic Hybrid for 2003, and a gasoline engine and an electric motor power this model. The first Civic measured just under 140 inches in length, and had 12-inch wheels. Rear legroom is ample be. Related Model: Civic Hybrid By launching its two-passenger Insight in 1999, Honda set the pace for hybrid powertrains in the U. New taillights lend a custom appearance, with oval amber turn-signal lenses behind a contoured clear cover.
The sedan and coupe do share the same wheelbase and inner structure. Except for the powertrain and various details, the Civic Hybrid differs little from the regular Civic sedan so the driving experience is much the same. The 2011 models are available in hybrid and non-hybrid formats, all with four-cylinder engines. Civics are fun to drive and all models offer excellent handling. You can short-shift through the gears: snick, waahh, snick, whaah, snick, whaah. In their first ten years of existence, Civics were notorious for developing rust prematurely, often within three years after they were purchased.
Side-impact airbags, antilock brakes and electronic brake-force distribution are standard. An aggressively taut suspension transmits bumps, but it reacts so rapidly and with such control that the ride is actually pleasant; bigger obstacles are undeniably jarring. This is most pronounced with the automatic transmission, where more time and space are needed to pass another vehicle, and city fuel mileage drops to 29 mpg. The Si sports a shifter that sprouts at an angle from the upper console, as in a mid-1960s Alfa Romeo or some of the latest rally cars. Most fun to drive is the Civic Si. The opening under the grille has been re-shaped into a shark-like smile and now incorporates two downward-slashing struts. A shoulder belt is provided for the center rear seating position.
Visibility when driving or parking is excellent as the driver is surrounded by glass and looks over a very low hood line. The Civic Hybrid is one of the best vehicles available for drivers interested in great fuel economy and low emissions. It is energetic and nimble and delivers a welcome combination of confidence and joy to anyone who wishes to push the car toward its limits. The Hybrid's gas engine is assisted by an electric motor. While yielding impressive fuel-economy figures and reduced emissions, the Civic Hybrid drives like any other automobile. All are reliable, practical, and fuel efficient.
Overall, both the sedan and the coupe remain conservative in appearance, but contemporary in design. Horsepower ranges from 110 for the hybrid to 197 for the 2. Compared to its gasoline-engine sibling, several exterior revisions give the Civic Hybrid a distinctive look. The Civic is manufactured for U. In the coupe, the gauges show silver highlights and glow with amber light at night. A rally-style gearshift lever is mounted at the dashboard center near the steering wheel. It's a clean design that's very easy to operate.
From the driver's seat, the Civic is a comfortable car. The sedan's front seats provide excellent support, thanks to a rigid structure with aggressive side bolsters. If you want better performance from a Civic, you'll have to modify it or wait for Honda to ship us an R model. Honda is known for its space-efficient design, and the Civic packs its engine into a condensed engine bay, leaving more space for the interior. Civics are available with six-speed automatic transmissions, as well as five- or six-speed manual transmissions. The ratios are close together, allowing the driver to keep the engine in the power band. The Civic's rear bumper is reshaped as well, a little crisper now than before.
Civics are now available with leather interiors, satellite-powered navigation systems, and hands-free phone jacks. It is a nice, almost luxurious small car that has a different feel to it without giving up any creature comforts. Steering has a substantial feel and requires only modest effort. In fact, more than three-fourths of their body panels are not interchangeable. All versions of the Civic seat four people.