Early in my automotive career, I had a conversation with a waggish fellow about what kind of cars we'd be, considering our personalities. I said he embodied a Corvette: flashy, loud, performance-driven. He replied that I resembled a Civic. We don’t speak anymore. I wasn’t thrilled, since Civics represented everything sensible, rational and numbingly dull. Thus it was with heightened curiosity that I approached the 2007 Honda Civic EX, fully optioned out at $21,995. The EPA estimates that you’ll get between 30-40 MPG, right in line with our 32.1 MPG in mixed driving conditions.
First Glance: Let’s do the Time Warp again
Larger exterior photos: Front rearThe Honda Civic, like the larger Accord (read review), is one of Honda’s bread-and-butter vehicles. With almost 10 million examples sold since its introduction in 1973, the Civic has been the affordable compact car other companies emulate, and likely will be for generations to come. Past Civics may have been the ultimate in getting the most bang for the fresh-out-of-school buck, but they’ve been touch-and-go in the styling category.
Call the eighth iteration of the Civic what you will, but at least it’s not boring. With its steeply angled windshield (link goes to photo), narrow strip of a grille and headlamps and short overhangs enhanced by handsome 16-inch alloy wheels, it looks more like a futuristic space pod than a sensible sedan. Because of the Civic’s ubiquity where I live, I’ve gotten accustomed to its shape but still can’t help but remark upon Honda’s design chutzpah every time I see one. Time will tell if it’s a look that stands the test of time, or if it’s something that grows dull in a couple of years.
Overall, the Civic’s proportions are more European or Japanese than your standard four-door, a design aesthetic that’s spreading thanks to the current popularity of small Asian cars. Its prominent shoulder line runs the length of the Civic, abruptly ending at the truncated tail. Trunk space is on the small side at 11.5 cu.-ft. but is aided by 60/40 split-folding rear seats for when you have longer objects to transport. Take care to not crush your parcels under the lid’s gooseneck hinges.
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In the Driver’s Seat: Anakin Skywalker called. He wants his cockpit back.
The futuristic theme of the Civic continues as you open the door and peer inside. The split-level gauges are unconventional, with speed displayed in digital glory above the steering wheel and the tachometer lonely between the spokes of the wheel. It is perhaps the most controversial aspect of the Civic, and it takes a while to get used to.
My top-of-the-line EX-trimmed test car was decked out with all the bells and whistles. An easy-to-use touch-screen and voice-activated navigation system led the way. Press “open” to reveal an auxiliary jack for iPods and a media card reader to let your playlist’s tunes flow. The XM satellite radio was a nice surprise; it’s difficult to return to the mundane world of FM after enjoying foul-mouthed comics for several uninterrupted hours. The stereo’s numerous buttons are small and make you look away from the road to operate them; good thing there are redundant controls mounted on the steering wheel. You can skip the navigation system to get a simpler interface. Storage space around the cabin was plentiful, with useful cubbies and nooks to keep things close at hand.
Riding in the rear seat of a compact sedan is never a winning proposition; the Civic is no exception. Although comparable to its competitors in its class, with 30.3 inches of rear legroom and 52.1 inches of shoulder space, full-sized adults stuck in the back will be hoping for a short trip. Those with growing families should consider this when it’s time to buy a new car.
On the Road: Light speed ahead? Hardly.
Motivated by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine making 140 horsepower, the Civic is no slug. Propulsion is somewhat hampered by the five-speed automatic, which tends to upshift quickly at lower speeds; I prefer a little more thrust when accelerating away from a stop sign and would opt for the manual transmission if equipping my own Civic. Power delivery is smooth, the Civic emitting a feisty whirr when pushed. The steering is lively and direct, transmitting a good amount of information from the road to your hands. While throttle response could use more spirit, the brake pedal was a tad touchy, resulting in jerky deceleration. The Civic provided a surprisingly quiet ride, effectively dampening road and wind noise. The driver’s seat was nicely bolstered but I would prefer a bit more range in seat controls, as I like to sit pretty high while piloting.Around town, the Civic’s petite proportions were a boon, but I was surprised by its somewhat large turning diameter of 35.4 feet. I also took issue with the thick A-pillar (the post between the windshield and side window) that impeded left-hand turns, although the small quarter window helped. On a twisty road, the Civic held its own with composure, but with a softly tuned suspension, it doesn’t beg to be driven fast. For that, you may want to consider the Mazda 3 (read review), a vehicle I think is the benchmark in this class in terms of driving dynamics and versatility in hatchback form. Or you could opt for the go-go Civic Si, which now comes in sedan form for 2007.
Journey's End: Lots of choices, but it's no Mazda 3
Still, there’s a reason why the Civic is so popular. No single aspect may stand out for its excellence over and above other compact cars, but taken all together they meld into a lovely, mellow driving experience complemented by a proven record for reliability and durability. And hey, this one even has a bit of flair. My personality compared to a Civic? Maybe that’s not such a bad thing after all. -- Liz Kim
