Honda Civic 2006 - 2011 review

When the eight-generation Honda Civic came out in 2005, it was something new with its aerodynamic shape, futuristic dashboard and a digital speedometer. What hasn't changed was the fact that the Civic remained one of the top choices for a small economical commuter. For the most part, the Civic is a simple dependable small car that doesn't need too much maintenance and is easy to service. However, there are things to watch for when buying a used Honda Civic. Read below.

2007 Honda Civic. Photo: Honda Canada

2007 Honda Civic interior. Click for larger photo

The center console offers a storage compartment with its adjustable lid working as a comfortable elbow support

2007 Honda Civic rear seat. Click for larger photo

The trunk offers a decent space Click for larger photo

Honda Civic 1.8L engine. Click for larger photo

Available as a 4-door sedan or sporty-looking 2-door coupe, Honda Civic was offered in four base trims: the budget-minded DX, mid-line LX, sporty Si and top of the line EX with available features like leather-wrapped steering, heated leather seats and navigation.
The Civic Hybrid was only offered as a 4-door sedan. Honda Civic Hybrid is powered by the Honda Integrated Motor Assist; a setup where a powerful electric motor is sandwiched between a 4-cylinder 1.3L i-VTEC SOHC engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid is rated at 40/45 MPG city/hwy (5.9/5.2 L/100 km). As I checked, out of all 2006-2011 Honda Civic models listed on the Autotrader, only about 8% in US and only 2% in Canada were the Hybrids. There was also a natural gas-powered Civic GX, but they are extremely rare.
The Civic DX, LX and EX sedan and coupe are equipped with a 140-hp 1.8L i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine and a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. The Civic Si comes with a 197-hp 2.0L i-VTEC DOHC 4-cylinder engine with high compression ratio (11.0:1). For this reason, the Civic Si requires premium gasoline. The Si features a 6-speed manual transmission with a limited slip differential, firmer springs and thicker stabilizer bars for sportier handling.
Inside the Civic's cabin, you will find a far-stretched dashboard with two instrument panels. The top part contains a digital speedometer, fuel and temperature gauges; Honda designers wanted to keep the most needed gauges closer to the view of the road. The digital speedometer is easy to read, but takes some time to get used to constantly flickering digits. The front seats are comfortable and supportive. The driver's seat height is adjustable, and in its lower position, you have decent headroom. The front visibility is good; however it takes some time to get used to knowing where the front end of the car is because of the long dashboard and low seating position. The rear visibility is a bit obstructed by the rear pillars and rear seat head rests. The center console offers a storage compartment with its adjustable lid working as a comfortable elbow support. Strangely, this lid is missing in the base DX model.
The rear seat room is fairly limited and with 6'2" I had to lean down a bit not to touch the headliner. In all non-hybrid models, the rear seatbacks fold down, if you want to load longer items.
On the road, Honda Civic handles well with a firm ride and well-controlled responsive steering. The 1.8L engine is quick from the stop. A short-sift manual transmission feels sporty. The Civic's small turning radius makes driving through tight parking lots easier. On the downside, road and wind noise are noticeable.
The anti-lock brakes as well as side and side curtain airbags were standard. The vehicle stability assist with traction control was available on Civic Si and EX-L.
The 2006-2010 Honda Civic received five stars for both the driver and the front passenger in the NHTSA frontal crash tests. Starting with 2011 models, NHTSA has introduced tougher tests and rigorous new 5-Star Safety Ratings. In these new tests, the 2011 Civic is rated with three stars overall: four stars in the front crash test and two stars in the side crash test. For more details, visit Safercar.gov.

Pros

- Fuel economy
- Easy to maintain
- Good handling
- Above-average reliability
- Good frontal crash test scores
- Holds value well
- The speedometer is close to the view of the road

Cons

- Low seating position
- Interior materials could be better
- Lack of standard equipment in DX models
- Digital speedometer takes time to get used to

Overall

The 2006-2011 Civic is fun to drive and very economical. You can choose between the sedan and coupe. If you are looking for a sporty small rocket with high-revving engine, the Civic Si is for you. When you call to inquire about the car, ask about the options; some DX models don't have the cruise control and power locks. The 2006-2011 Civic has been reliable for the most part, however, there are some uncharacteristic for Honda complaints, notable about the 2006-2008 models; some about the engine problems. You can search the complaints at the NHTSA website. For this reason, an extended warranty for the powertrain is worth considering.
Overall, it's a great little car. The Consumer Reports rates the Civic well and the 2007 Civic received the Highest Ranked Compact Car in Initial Quality award from J.D. Power and Associates. A couple of my friends drive this model Honda Civic, and they love it. Still, if possible, I recommend to opt for the 2009 or newer Civic.
A couple of notes on maintenance: If you want to have the transmission fluid changed, use only the correct type. The owner's manual for the 2008 Honda Civic strongly recommends using only Honda Genuine ATF-Z1 automatic transmission fluid. The usual question, timing belt or chain? The 1.8L, 2.0L and 1.3L Honda Civic engines use a long-life timing chain; there is no timing belt.

Things to look for in a used Honda Civic

Before buying any used car, check the used car history records with the VIN number to see if the car had reported accidents or other issues in the past. Here is the link: how to check used car history. Watch for low coolant level and coolant leaks, there are some complaints about coolant leaks from the 1.8L engine in 2006-2008 models.
Watch for signs of uneven wear of the rear tires; the humming or rumbling noise from the rear tires could also be caused by uneven wear; there are some complaints about the rear suspension problems causing the rear tires to wear fast on the inside. Check the condition of the sunvisors; they seem to be a weak spot in early models. During the test drive of the Civic Si, check how the manual transmission shifts; all shifts should be smooth. Before buying a used car, have it properly inspected by a mechanic. It's good idea to check with a Honda dealer if all the recalls and engine computer software updates have been performed. Read our step-by-step used car buying guide for more information.

Honda Civic short specs. (2007 US gasoline-powered sedan)

Honda Civic Photos

Honda Civic Si coupe. Photo: Honda Canada Honda Civic Si coupe. Photo: Honda Canada Honda Civic Si engine. Photo: Honda Canada Honda Civic Si tachometer. Photo: Honda Canada Honda Civic Hybrid Integrated Motor Assist. Photo: Honda Canada Honda Civic Hybrid gauges. Photo: Honda Canada 2009 Honda Civic Sedan. Photo: Honda Canada Glove box Audio system The rear seat folds down in all models except the Hybrid.

Honda Civic Si. Photo: Honda Canada

by Vlad Samarin