2006 HONDA CIVIC EX. The brand new Civic is already the eighth generation to
hit our streets. The ... new five-speed manual or automatic transmission.
2006 HONDA CIVIC EX
The brand new Civic is already the eighth generation to hit our streets. The sedan has gained 3.6 cm in length and width, while the wheelbase has increased 8.1 cm. The new platform is 36% more resistant to torsion and 103% more resistant to flex. The sedan features a new 1.8-litre engine and a new five-speed manual or automatic transmission. This four-door Civic is available in DX, DX-G, LX, and EX versions. Hybrid and coupe versions are also available. Interior and trunk The car is a bit low and the windshield fairly angled, making access relatively difficult. The front seats are very comfortable despite the lack of an adjustable lumbar support. With the telescopic steering column, it is easy to find a very good driving position. Climbing out of the back seat is somewhat difficult because of the narrow door opening. The bench comfortably seats two adults. While legroom is suitable, headroom for people of medium height and taller leaves something to be desired. Nor is there much room for the feet under the front seats. The folding backrest has a 60/40 split. The trunk is spacious, with a low floor. Unfortunately, the opening is small.
Photo: Honda
Convenience and safety The interior is very well finished using good quality materials. Still, we heard a little creaking in our test vehicle. Finally—a reasonably quiet Civic with soundproofing that is average for this category. Interior storage space abounds. Honda has innovated with a bi-level instrument panel. On top are the digital speedometer and temperature and fuel gauges. The other instruments are laid out below. This arrangement makes it easy to check instruments at a glance. Many controls are not lit up for night driving, including those on the steering wheel, which are a bit too small for many users. The heating system kicks in slowly but generates good heat once it gets going. There is no intermediate position between the various air distribution options, but there are 12 fan speeds. Because the front roof pillars are much higher than the windshield, they trap snow. Accumulated snow can strain the wiper motor and prevent the wipers from completing their entire course. As regards safety, Honda did not skimp on this new generation, which comes with dual front airbags, side airbags, and curtain airbags, as well as dual active head restraints in front and an antilock brake system. The front head restraints don’t go high enough for tall people, while the three in back are too low for people of average height or taller. Visibility is very good except to the rear, because it is difficult to judge distances accurately when backing up. In addition, the rear head restraints can create blind spots. Headlight power is good, but the windshield wipers are a tad slow. In U.S. government safety tests, the Civic sedan earned all five stars for front occupant protection in head-on collisions and rear occupant protection in side collisions. It rated four stars for front occupant protection in side collisions. For rollover resistance, it received four stars. In frontal offset and side collision tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Civic was ranked “good”—the highest rating. Front headrest protection in rear-end collisions was also rated “good.” Engine and transmission The new four-cylinder engine puts out 140 hp and 128 pounds of torque. Among its many distinctive features, we note that despite a compression ratio of 10.5:1 it runs on regular grade gas, thanks to oil spray–cooled pistons. Acceleration and pickup are fairly swift. The engine runs smoothly
and climbs easily through the gears. It is better suited to the car than the old engine and meets the ULEV 2 (Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle 2) standard. Unfortunately, the electronically controlled accelerator is jerky and does not make for smooth driving. The five-speed automatic transmission is generally very smooth, but it can be abrupt between first and second gear while the engine is heating up in cold weather. The gears are well spaced. The shifter is not firm enough to keep it from sliding past D4 to D3. On the road The fully independent suspension is clearly firmer than in the older generation. The engineers stuck with the old formula—tension struts in front and wishbone in back—but with different settings. The ride is generally comfortable, but reactions can be almost harsh on uneven surfaces. Road holding is very good and much more inspiring than before. You get the feeling of driving a sturdy car that is sensitive to side winds. The power steering is well calibrated and quicker than average—something drivers must get used to. Directional stability is affected by a slight vagueness when the steering wheel is centred, and the car tends to follow ruts. It does not transfer any road feel. The turning circle is short. The brakes are a bit weak but maintain their power after a few emergency stops. An inspection at a CAA-Quebec technical centre showed that the Civic is very well assembled, with a sturdy underbody and good rust protection. The wiper fluid tank holds 4.5 litres. A chain—no longer a belt—drives camshaft. The onboard computer indicates when it’s time for an oil change or other maintenance. In some cases, the filter may only need replacing with every other oil change. Conclusion It is always difficult to design a new generation of a highly popular car. The Civic was the top-selling car in Canada in 2005. The new Civic still boasts all the features that have made it a consumer favourite. In addition, Honda has made many crucial safety features standard in the 2006 Civic. It remains to be seen whether the sportier behaviour will attract as many buyers.
PROS: Front seat comfort, road holding, manoeuvrability, large trunk, quality assembly, generous safety features CONS: Less-than-perfect directional stability, sluggish heater, sensitive throttle, visibility in reverse, shifter that lacks resistance, head restraints that don’t go high enough 2006 HONDA CIVIC SEDAN Engine: 16-valve, 1.8-litre 4-cylinder Horsepower: 140 hp at 6,300 rpm Torque: 128 lb/ft. at 4,300 rpm Transmission: 5-speed manual; 5-speed automatic Suspension: Fully independent Brakes: Disc/drum (EX: 4-wheel disc) Length: 448.9 cm Width: 175.2 cm Height: 143.5 cm Wheelbase: 270 cm Weight: 1,199 to 1,255 kg Tires: P195/65R15; P205/55R16 Maximum towing capacity: 450 kg Airbags: Standard, plus two side and two curtain airbags Fuel consumption with automatic transmission: Transport Canada rating: City 8.2 L/100 km (34 mpg) Highway 5.7 L/100 km (50 mpg) Test result: 8 L/100 km (35 mpg) Test temperature: −2°C to −15°C Fuel tank capacity: 50 litres Fuel requirement: Regular grade Acceleration: 0–100 km/h: 9.4 seconds
60–100 km/h: 6.7 seconds
Competition: Chevrolet Cobalt and Optra, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra, Mazda3, Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan Sentra, Pontiac Pursuit, Saturn Ion, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Golf and Jetta
Warranty: Full basic coverage: 3 years/60,000 km Powertrain: 5 years/100,000 km Surface corrosion: 3 years/unlimited km Perforation damage: 5 years/unlimited km Emissions control system: 3 years/60,000 km (full coverage); 8 years/130,000 km (catalytic converter, electronic control module, onboard diagnostic system). Factory replacement parts: Rear bumper: $644 Front brake disc: $85 Brake pads: $68 Muffler: $256 Front fender: $147 Average insurance premium (Quebec City, replacement cost endorsement, claim-free insurance record, male or female driver 30 to 40 years old): $918 to $1,249 Price according to trim level: DX: $16,980 DX-G: $18,880 LX: $20,380 EX: $23,380 Main options: Automatic transmission: $1,200 Air conditioning: $1,028 (DX) Price as tested: $24,580 Freight and preparation: $1,225 Dealers: Quebec: 60
Canada: 203
© December 2005. All rights reserved, CAA-Quebec
