Real Guide of Honda Civic 2008 full review

Real Guide of Honda Civic 2008 full review

Review of 2008's Honda Civic - What the Auto Press Says

MSRP: $14,810 - $29,500

The 2008 Honda Civic ranks 2 out of 28 Affordable Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 54 published reviews and test drives of the Honda Civic, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

In our rankings, the 2008 Civic is engaged in a sibling rivalry with the 2008 Honda Fit. The Civic holds an edge in safety and visual appeal, while the Fit's versatile cabin makes it a better choice for some buyers. Little has changed in the Civic for 2008. Honda introduces a leather seating option and a high-performance model, the Civic Mugen Si.

The 2008 Honda Civic wins praise for performance and value, class-leading safety ratings, and a body style that stands out in from its competition. Reviews say its cabin is comfortable, though a few competitors offer more space or upscale styling. The current generation of the Civic was named Car of the Year when it debuted in 2006 by both Motor Trend and the Detroit News, and by a jury of automotive journalists at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. It was a Consumer Reports top pick in 2007 (Hyundai Elantra took the prize in 2008).

The Civic is available as a two-door coupe or a four-door sedan in a variety of trims, as well as the Civic Hybrid and the performance-oriented Civic Si. The Civic has long been considered the benchmark other compact cars are measured against. Several competitor cars have been redesigned lately and are worthy of consideration, but the Honda Civic finishes consistently near the top of our ratings in every category.

* "There's no single thing that blows you away about the Civic. Except the total package." U.S. News reviewer Rick Newman
* "Feels like a car in an entirely different class." -- Motor Trend
* "A great little fuel-efficient car that's affordable, not too hard on the environment, and oozing with style and charisma." -- Fort Worth Star-Telegram
* "Great styling, high quality, smooth ride, sweet powertrain, super mileage, excellent quality. And it costs less than $20,000." -- Detroit News
* "Looks, feels and drives like a car that costs thousands more." -- Kansas City Star
* "Wrapped in edgy new styling, the Honda Civic reigns as the most diverse car on the market, including an ultra-efficient hybrid model, high-mileage gas versions, models with luxury trim, and even a clean-burning natural-gas option." -- Arizona Republic
* "Civic has grown into a stylish sedan that, in most respects, rivals the mid-size Honda Accord of just a few years ago." -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel



Summary

What Edmunds.com says
Comfortable, smartly designed and available in a wide array of configurations, the 2008 Honda Civic sets the bar for the small car segment.
Pros
Engine lineup that offers both fuel-efficiency and performance, roomy and refined interior, high crash test scores, available as a sedan or coupe.
Cons
Controversial gauge cluster design, slow acceleration times of Hybrid and GX models.
What's New for 2008
A new Mugen Si trim level debuts for the 2008 Honda Civic sedan. It's similar to the regular Si sedan but comes with more aggressive suspension tuning, special wheels and exterior body enhancements. The only other change for the Civic line this year is the new availability of leather seating.

2008 Honda Civic Vehicle Overview

Introduction
In 1973, Honda introduced the Civic to American shores. Small, fuel-efficient and reliable, the Civic was an ideal small car solution to rising gas prices and increased environmental awareness. Now, 35 years later, Americans are faced with similar issues, and again the Civic stands at the ready.

Of course, history hasn't quite repeated itself. The 2008 Honda Civic is considerably heavier and more luxurious than its pint-sized forbear. It's not even the company's smallest car anymore -- that role is handled by the Fit. But for the average small car shopper, the Civic remains the quintessential choice. We're quite fond of the current-generation Civic -- it was last redesigned in 2006 -- and it's one of America's best-selling cars.

There are plenty of reasons to choose the Civic. First among them is the car's wide array of configurations. The Civic is one of the few small car offerings to be sold as a sedan and a sportier-looking coupe. A fixed, minimal-options trim level architecture, ranging from the budget-oriented DX to the top-level EX, makes picking a Civic a relatively straightforward affair.

There are also the specialized Civic Si, Hybrid and GX models. In Si trim, the Civic is one of the most sporting small cars available for the money, while the Hybrid, thanks to its gasoline/electric powertrain, can deliver 40-plus mpg in real-world driving. The Civic GX is truly an oddity -- it runs on natural gas and can be fueled at home via a special "Phill" hook-up. The GX is the most expensive Civic, but in return it's America's cleanest mass-production car in terms of tailpipe emissions.

A new addition this year is the Honda Civic Mugen Si sedan. Built on the foundation of the Civic Si sedan and tuned by the prestigious racing and aftermarket performance company Mugen, this model comes with a track-tuned suspension, 18-inch forged alloy lightweight wheels with special tires, a full aerodynamic body kit with an adjustable rear wing spoiler, a rear diffuser and a sport-tuned exhaust system. Only 1,000 of these models will be sold, and they're priced in the very un-Civic-like territory of $30,000.

No matter what the trim, the Civic's traditional strengths in comfort, interior design and safety are all still firmly intact. The Civic also holds its value better than many other small cars and has a reputation for above-average reliability. Though we suggest doing a bit of comparison shopping -- the sporty Mazda 3, affordable Hyundai Elantra and Volkswagen Rabbit/Jetta are also very good choices -- the 2008 Honda Civic remains an ideal pick for a small sedan or coupe.