Honda Civic used car overview
Wednesday 04 August 2010
The Honda Civic is a medium-sized family hatchback built by one of the world’s most advanced car makers. Despite this, Honda has a reputation for conservatism, particularly when it comes to its cars’ styling.
The model launched in 2005 changed that, with a combination of cutting-edge design with some great engines, reliability and practicality.
It can carry five adults and its luggage space is far superior to rivals such as the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf and Renault Megane. The car’s popularity is also helped by plenty of equipment supplied as standard.
Honda Civic – history
The first generation Honda Civic was introduced in 1972, with a choice of two, three, four or five doors. Engines ranged between 1.2 and 1.5 litres in size and between 1972 and 1979, more than 2.1 million units were sold.
The next Civic was produced between 1979 and 1983, while the third-generation car (1983-1987) would also give rise to a people carrier (the Shuttle) and a small sports car (the CRX).
The fourth-generation Civic (1987-1991) introduced the world to electronic control of valve timing, to maximise efficiency of the petrol engines.
Around 2.4 million examples of the fifth-generation Civic (1991-1995) were produced, with another 3.2 million copies of the sixth edition of the car (1995-2000) finding buyers.
The seventh-generation Civic was built between 2000 and 2005, and just like its predecessors, it pushed the boundaries of engine technology while offering brilliant interior packaging.
Honda Civic – eighth generation model highlights
Sep 2005: The eighth-generation Civic goes on sale with a choice of three engines: a 1.4-litre petrol engine (badged 1.4-DSI), a 1.8-litre ‘VTEC’ petrol engine and an excellent 2.2-iCDTi diesel.
Jan 2006: There is a new Civic IMA hybrid saloon offered, but it doesn’t feature the radical five-door hatch styling of other models, even if the technology is cutting-edge
Jan 2007: A three-door Civic is introduced and fitted with 1.8 petrol or 2.2-litre diesel engines. There is also a high-spec edition with extra equipment introduced, called the GT
Mar 2007: The Civic Type R performance car goes on sale, using a three-door bodyshell and Honda’s fabulous 2-litre VTEC petrol engine to give 198bhp. A high-spec GT version is also offered
Honda Civic – did you know?
• The Civic accounts for around a third of Honda’s global sales, with the car having been built in 11 countries and sold in 160 countries
• When launched, the Civic had by far the biggest boot of any car in its class – the typical capacity was around 320 litres, the Civic could accommodate 485 litres
• When unveiled, the eighth-generation Civic was awarded the highest ever pedestrian safety rating in the EuroNCAP crash test programme
For our Canadian users we recomend Auto Trader Canada for the widest range of New Honda Civics
Rivals
Ford Focus
Kia Ceed
Renault Megane
Vauxhall Astra
Volkswagen Golf