Honda Civic

A Car for Everyone

It began as a basic compact car that was created to be what people needed: a vehicle that had good gas mileage, decent space, quiet drive, and could get them from A to B without much hassle. These were the qualities Honda strived for in 1973 that would separate the Civic from their previous models.  In an effort to globalize the Civic, the car came in front-wheel drive as a two-door or three-door model with a light body and a 70 cubic inch 4-cylinder engine that could pump out 50 horsepower. While emission guidelines and regulations tightened, the Civic looked to battle other companies by creating a universal car that could boast great fuel mileage.

The Civic's Mileage

One of the Civics early achievements was the CVCC engine that produced such clean emissions that there was no need for a catalytic convertor. It was also the number one fuel efficient engine for four years, then became the standard engine by 1980, and since pushed the Civic to create an even more fuel efficient engine. By 1984, the Civic could run at 51 mpg for the city and 67 for the highway in the five-speed manual CRX Civic Coupe. It depended on the model, but nearly all of the Civics during the ‘80s could run at least 30 mpg for the city, with a few exceptions like the four-wheel drive wagon and models with automatic transmissions. The next model that would replace the CRX for the highest fuel efficiency was the 1992 VX that had a 1.5L inline-4 with 48 mpg for the city and 55 for the highway. No other Civic models have reached this kind of efficiency other than the 2007 Hybrid which boasted 49 mpg for the city and 51 mpg for the highway.

Known for its functionality, reliability, and longevity, the Honda Civic has been a favorite compact car of drivers everywhere for several years. Between both the casual drivers who enjoy the stylish looks and impressive durability, and the enthusiasts who love the high power to weight ratio, superior acceleration, braking, and handling, the Honda Civic has something for everyone. It has several available models and trim packages including the Civic DX, LX, EX, EX-L and the separate Civic Hybrid, Si, and HF models. The engines sport a 1.8L I4 with 140 horsepower and a 2.4L 200 horsepower for the Si. Some options include an ECON button for better fuel efficiency, "LaneWatch" cameras for blind spots, and virtual improvements that include display screens for navigation systems, fuel consumption, audio music, and more. With features like this, it comes as no surprise that the Civic continues to attract loyal customers who are searching for all their basic driving needs to be fulfilled.