It's a good choice as a refined and stylish high-mileage commuter car.
The 140-horsepower, four-cylinder engine gets 40 miles to the gallon on the highway and 30 around town. The five-speed automatic transmission is an $800 upgrade. The five-speed manual is rated 38 mpg on the highway and 30 around town.
And not only is this engine thrifty, it gets the government's LEV-II rating as an ultralow emissions vehicle.
Weighing in at 2,700 pounds, performance is brisk. The automatic is efficient and tuned to give eager upshifts. Grade Logic electronics hold a gear on downhills for engine braking.
All it needs to make it more fun than a stickshift are the steering wheel paddle shifters offered on the smaller Honda Fit.
Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering is light to the touch and yields a tight 35.4-foot turning circle. The disc brakes have an overengineered feel for stopping power and include advanced logic ABS and electronic brake force distribution.
Michelin Pilot Exalto tires on alloy wheels are smooth and quiet rollers.
The base Civic, with its $15,110 five-speed manual gearbox, is still a good starter coupe for a young driver.
Stepping up to the topline EX model at $21,560 puts sophistication in the driving experience with all the expected power conveniences and a navigation system and XM satellite radio.
No faux wood trim here, but a tastefully contemporary choice of plastics, textures and fabrics.
The navigation system's digital screen integrates cabin functions and audio control, with redundant radio controls and cruise on the steering wheel. Accessing the features seemed confusing at first, but I adapted quickly.
There's adult-size front headroom, even with the standard moonroof. The back seat is snug but not uncomfortable.
Honda's two-tier gauge layout has raised eyebrows among critics, but the design puts the speedometer, fuel and temp gauges up high for a head-up, eyes-on-the-road placement. A big tachometer and other warning lights are below.
Everything inside and out is Honda perfect, from panel alignment to quality of materials and the safety suit, which includes side curtain air bags.
If a Mustang seems too retro baby boomer, the Civic coupe will take a few years off the image.
SPECS BOX
2006 Civic EX Coupe with XM and navigation system
Body style: Subcompact, 4-passenger, front-wheel-drive 2-door
Engine: Aluminum, 140-hp SOHC, 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder, with i-VTEC valve timing; LEV-II ULEV emissions
Transmission: 5-speed manual, optional 5-speed automatic
EPA fuel economy estimates: 30 mpg city, 38 highway; 30/40, automatic; 87 octane recommended
DIMENSIONS
Trunk space: 11.5 cubic feet
Front head/leg/shoulder room: 37.8/42.6/53.9 inches
Rear head/leg/shoulder room: 34.7/30.3/52.1 inches
Length/wheelbase: 174.8/104.3 inches
Curb weight: 2,701-2,767 pounds
FEATURES
Standard equipment: Remote locking, air conditioning with dust filter, cruise control, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, blue back-lit gauges, driver-seat height adjustment, 60/40 split folding back seat, one-touch open-close power moonroof, center console with sliding armrest and storage, variable intermittent wipers, decklid spoiler, power windows and mirrors, chrome exhaust tip, door-pocket storage, passenger-side seatback pocket, map lights, floor mats, 7-speaker 350-watt XM ready audio system with subwoofer and MP3 input jack, full-tank of gas on delivery
Safety equipment: Dual-Stage, dual-threshold front air bags, front side air bags with passenger-side occupant position detection system, side curtain air bags
PRICING
Base: $21,560, with $550 destination fee
Options on test car: None
Where assembled: Ontario, Canada
PLUSES: Contemporary shape, sophisticated EX interior treatment, refined driving and 40 mpg on the highway.
MINUSES: Automatic transmission deserves the paddle shifters, which are standard on the Honda Fit 5-speed automatic.
Mark Maynard is driving in cyberspace at mark.maynard@uniontrib.com.
© Copley News Service
