Sunday, March 29, 2009

Honda Civic - What the Auto Press Says


The 2009 Honda Civic ranks 2 out of 35 Affordable Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 65 published reviews and test drives of the Honda Civic, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The Civic is one of the most reliable, visually appealing and solidly performing vehicles of the affordable small car class.
The small-car symbol for solid performance and outstanding value, the 2009 Honda Civic also wins praise for its outstanding safety features and high-class cabin appointments, plus a sleek body style that belies its entry-level pricing. Although there are several compacts that offer more comfort or more utility, few cars have captured the media attention as the Civic has for all-around excellence. The Civic is also respected among reviewers and drivers for its fuel efficiency. As recent automotive excesses (we're looking at you, Hummer) fade away, the Honda Civic is poised to become the automotive symbol for leaner, more responsible times. In fact, it's one of the top-ten best-selling vehicles of 2008.
If you're a Civic convert, chances are you aren't shopping around. Still, there are some great options in this class. Honda's Fit is more compact but its configurable rear seats afford more cargo options than the Civic's 60/40 split rear seats. The Honda Civic Hybrid is another great choice among small cars. Although it's more expensive than the gas-engine model, reviewers praise the hybrid's value over time. Check out the best Honda deals this month to get into a Honda compact for a great price.
The current generation Civic was named Car of the Year when it debuted in 2006 by Motor Trend and by a jury of automotive journalists at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. It was also a Consumer Reports Top Pick for 2007 (Hyundai Elantra snagged the prize in 2008.), and the 2009 Honda Civic is a Consumer Guide Best Pick. This model year Honda has slightly modified the Civic's front end, and added such standard features as Vehicle Stability Assist or 60/40 split folding rear seats for the EX and EX-L trims. But as Motor Trend says, "The biggest news coming to your local Honda showroom will be in the form of two all-new variants, the DX-VP and LX-S. While neither car includes any dramatic changes from the rest of the lineup, both cars offer a unique combination of standard features designed to give buyers more choice."

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