2001 - 2005 Honda Civic sedan review

2004 Honda Civic. Photo: Honda

2005 Honda Civic. Click for larger photo

Honda Civic interior. Click for larger photo

The seventh-generation Honda Civic introduced in 2001 was a simple, easy to maintain small car with one of the best fuel economy in its class.

The 2001-2005 Civic comes as a four-door sedan or two-door coupe. The sporty Si hatchback was added for 2002, but they are rare to find. The Civic Si had a 160-hp 2.0L DOHC iVTEC engine and firmer suspension. A hybrid version was available from 2003.

Honda Civic has front-wheel drive with a 4-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The Civic has McPherson struts in the front and double wishbone layout in the rear suspension. The Anti-lock brakes (ABS) were standard on EX models.

Inside, the Civic is fairly roomy for a small car. The fit and finish is very good. The controls are simple and conveniently located. The instrument panel is straightforward and easy to read. The driver's seat is comfortable and supportive. The visibility is good all-around. The rear seat folds down for extra cargo room. The trunk is surprisingly spacious for a small car.

On the road, Honda Civic handles well, although the ride is firm. The engine is a bit noisy on acceleration. The road noise is noticeable at highway speeds. Overall, it's a fun to drive little car.

In the NHTSA frontal crash tests, the 2001-2005 Honda Civic has received five stars for both the driver and the front passenger. In the frontal offset crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2001-2005 Honda Civic received "Good" overall rating.

Honda Civic 1.7-liter VTEC engine.

Aside from the rare-to-find Si, hybrid and natural gas powered models, the 2001-2005 Civic comes with two main engine choices:
the 4-cylinder 1.7-liter 115-hp 16-Valve SOHC (Single OverHead Cam) and the more powerful 4-cylinder 1.7-liter 127-hp 16-valve SOHC with Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC). Both these engines have a timing belt that must be replaced at recommended intervals. Either engine is proven to be very reliable if properly maintained.