Test drive: 2006 Honda Civic EX NAVI

A $20,000 Honda Civic. Can you believe it? Then again, who ever thought we'd see a Civic with a 5-speed automatic transmission, satellite radio, and a voice-activated GPS navigation system? I've got an '89 Honda CRX Si -- a Civic derivative and top-of-the-line model -- and it came with crank-up windows. How times change.

I don't want you to come away with the idea that the Civic is overpriced. Prices for the newly redesigned 2006 Civic actually start in the mid-teens, just like its predecessor. According to Jason's Civic EX NAVI test drive, this top-of-the-line model really is good value for the money. And with a 40 MPG highway rating, you'll save money on the back end. (For what it's worth, my CRX has a smaller engine, weighs a lot less, and only gets 36 MPG.) I drove the 2006 Honda Civic EX and other Civics in the model range not long ago (test drive here) and am inclined to agree with Jason: This is the safest, most comfortable, best-equipped Civic yet. I can't wait to see what the competition will do to catch up... -- Aaron Gold