The
Honda Civic--already the acknowledged benchmark among small cars--took another
self-improvement course for 1996. Thanks to a thorough and thoughtful redesign, the
Civic is now bigger and quieter, has a better ride, a more handsome interior, and an
innovative array of technology. Despite these changes, prices are virtually the same
as in 1995. It is no wonder the Civic was the greatest-selling small car in America in last
year, outselling Saturn and the Ford Escort.
The new Civic looks bigger and more substantial, as well it should. The Coupe (from
$11,900) and Sedan (from $12,280) models are two inches longer and three inches taller
than before. The Hatchback (from $9980) has sprouted even more, adding four inches in
length and almost four inches in height. It remains the pipsqueak of the family,
however, with a body 10.6 in. shorter than the other two models, though it rides on
the same wheelbase.
A new look of substance goes along with the Civic's larger dimensions. Previously, the
front end consisted of a pair of small headlights connected by the hood closure line.
A tidy grille and bright, reflector-style headlights now dress up the nose, giving the
Sedan in particular the look of a junior Accord.
The new Coupe looks slightly less sporty, perhaps because of the greater height. The
Hatchback, which was designed in Honda's European studio, is the most changed. Its
egg-like delicacy has given way to more aggressive lines that sweep back to a steeply
raked, one-piece hatch.
The trunk capacity for the Sedan and Coupe is 11.9 cu. ft., just about 1 cu. ft. less
than the Accord's. With a low liftover height and split-folding rear seats that open
to the trunk, the Civic Sedan and Coupe are flexible cargo-carriers. The Hatchback is
even roomier: 13.4 cu. ft. of cargo space with the seats up.
We drove several Civics, including a HX Coupe equipped with the all new Continuously
Variable Transmission (CVT), which adds about $900. Our report, price info and the
data panel focus on the flagship EX Sedan.
