1992-1995 Honda Civic: Full Review
Updated: 12/17/09
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1992-1995 Honda Civic and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Acceleration (EX and Si)
- Fuel economy
- Handling/roadholding
- Ride (4-door)
Cons
- Acceleration (CX and VX)
- Cargo room (hatchback)
- Noise (hatchback)
- Rear-seat room (hatchback)
Vehicle Highlights
Restyling of Honda's front-drive subcompact for 1992 brought the demise of the prior generation's station wagon. But 2-door hatchbacks and 4-door sedans returned with a standard driver-side airbag. Sedans rode a slightly longer wheelbase than hatchbacks. A 102-horsepower, 1.5-liter 4-cylinder went into DX and LX models. The top-rung EX 4-door carried a 1.6-liter four with variable valve timing, plus antilock brakes. Other models included the base CX with a 70-horsepower, 1.5-liter four, a miserly new VX that featured a 92-horsepower engine, and a sporty Si with a higher-output 1.6-liter four and standard antilock braking.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Honda Civic EX 4-door Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 4 | |
| Fuel Economy | 7 | |
| Ride Quality | 4 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 4 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 3 | |
| Value within Class | 8 | |
| Total Score: | 46 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1992-1995 Honda Civic. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1992-1995 Honda Civic.
Year to Year Changes
1993 Honda Civic:
A notchback Civic Coupe joined the other two bodies for '93, in midrange DX and upscale EX trim, and a passenger-side airbag was available in the EX as part of an option group.
1994 Honda Civic:
A passenger-side airbag went into all Civics for '94, and antilock braking became available on additional models. The LX gained 14-inch tires, while DX Civics stayed with 13-inch.
1995 Honda Civic:
With a complete redesign awaiting the 1996 model year, the carryover Civics went to dealerships without further change.
Our road test for the 1992-1995 Honda Civic includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1992-1995 Honda Civic and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1992-1995 Honda Civic is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
All four engines are weak on low-end torque, lacking in zest. Although they pull smoothly enough in the middle gears, they fail to exhibit much overall gusto--especially with automatic transmissions. To climb hills and keep up with highway traffic you'll have to shift gears often and push hard on the gas pedal. Automatic transmissions shift neatly, lacking the harsh jolt of earlier models. Fuel economy is great. Over a long-term trial, a 5-speed EX sedan averaged 29.6 mpg. Wind and exhaust sounds are reduced, especially in sedans, though tire noise is a problem. Civics ride smoothly for a subcompact, although sedans have a much better ride than coupe and hatchback models. Handling can best be described as modest, if agile, with the narrow tires and softer suspension leaning over in tight turns. The steering and brakes work well. Interior room is surprisingly good for a subcompact. Four adults can stretch out in modest comfort. Interior controls are thoughtfully designed and easy to use. Cargo space is good as well, but the hatchbacks' split opening makes loading and unloading difficult.
Value for the Money
You pay a hefty price for a nice Civic, but in this case the expenditure might well be worth it. Flaws are few in these refined, quietly impressive subcompacts, overwhelmed by some highly tempting virtues. Civics stand apart from the crowd because of their nimble handling, smooth running, enjoyable operation, and miserly gas mileage.
You pay a hefty price for a nice Civic, but in this case the expenditure might well be worth it. Flaws are few in these refined, quietly impressive subcompacts, overwhelmed by some highly tempting virtues. Civics stand apart from the crowd because of their nimble handling, smooth running, enjoyable operation, and miserly gas mileage.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Honda Civic EX 4-door Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 4 | |
| Fuel Economy | 7 | |
| Ride Quality | 4 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 4 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 3 | |
| Value within Class | 8 | |
| Total Score: | 46 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Honda Civic includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Honda Civic .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Air conditioner:
If the air-conditioner belt repeatedly comes off, the splash shield under the engine is probably knocking it off when the car goes over a parking curb, etc. (1992-95)
Audio system:
If the CD changer in the trunk will not eject, the company will exchange the CD magazines with a redesigned one. (All)
Automatic transmission:
Cars with high mileage may begin to shift more harshly, which may be corrected by adding a bottle of Lubeguard conditioner to the automatic-transmission fluid. (1992-95)
Trunk latch:
There may not be sufficient clearance on the trunk latch making it hard to open with the key. (1992-95)
Water leak:
There may be water leaking into the passenger footwell because of insufficient sealer on the seam at the firewall. Look for rust on the floor pan and run water over the right lower corner of the windshield to watch for water leaks before buying the car. (1992-95)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $470 |
| Alternator | $310 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $750 |
| Brakes | $180 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $455 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $550 |
| Exhaust System | $428 |
| Radiator | $360 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $580 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $190 |
Our price chart for this generation Honda Civic details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1995 | |||
| Civic | $1,500-1,900 | $1,000-1,200 | $200 |
| Civic EX | $2,100-2,600 | $1,500-1,800 | $400-500 |
| Civic Si | $2,200-2,800 | $1,600-2,000 | $400-500 |
| 1994 | |||
| Civic | $1,300-1,700 | $800-1,100 | $200 |
| Civic EX | $1,900-2,400 | $1,300-1,700 | $300-400 |
| Civic Si | $2,000-2,500 | $1,400-1,800 | $300-400 |
| 1993 | |||
| Civic | $1,100-1,500 | $700-900 | $100-200 |
| Civic EX | $1,700-2,200 | $1,100-1,500 | $300 |
| Civic Si | $1,800-2,300 | $1,200-1,600 | $300 |
| 1992 | |||
| Civic | $1,000-1,400 | $600-800 | $100 |
| Civic EX | $1,400-1,900 | $900-1,200 | $200 |
| Civic Si | $1,500-1,900 | $1,000-1,200 | $200 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Honda Civic include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 2-door coupe | 2-door hatchback | 4-door sedan |
| Wheelbase, in. | 103.2 | 101.3 | 103.2 |
| Overall Length, in. | 172.8 | 160.2 | 173.0 |
| Overall Width, in. | 66.9 | 66.9 | 66.9 |
| Overall Height, in. | 50.9 | 50.7 | 51.7 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2231 | 2108 | 2213 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 11.8 | 13.3 | 12.4 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 11.9 | 11.9 | 11.9 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 38.5 | 38.6 | 39.1 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.5 | 42.5 | 42.5 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 34.9 | 36.5 | 37.2 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 31.1 | 30.5 | 32.8 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Civics of the early 1990s used four different overhead-cam 4-cylinder engines. DX and LX models held a 102-horsepower, 1.5-liter powerplant. A 1.6-liter four with variable-valve timing, rated at 125 horsepower, went into the EX 4-door sedan. In between was a base CX with a 70-horsepower, 1.5-liter 4-cylinder. Rounding out the quarter, the VX used a 92-horsepower "VTEC-E" engine. Civics had either a 5-speed manual gearbox or 4-speed automatic, but the latter was not available on all models.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohc I4 | 1.5 / 91 | 70 | 90 | 5-speed manual: 42/46 | 5-speed manual: -- |
| ohc I4 | 1.5 / 91 | 92 | 97 | 5-speed manual: 47/56 | 5-speed manual: -- |
| ohc I4 | 1.5 / 91 | 102 | 98 | 5-speed manual: 34/40 4-speed automatic: 29/36 |
5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: -- |
| ohc I4 | 1.6 / 97 | 125 | 106 | 5-speed manual: 29/35 4-speed automatic: 26/34 |
5-speed manual: 29.6 4-speed automatic: -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Canada, Japan, USA
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Honda Civic include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1995 Civic |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 3 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 3 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1992-1995 Honda Civic directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1992-94:
Retaining clip at automatic transmission can come off, so position of lever does not match actual transmission gear range.
1994:
Passenger-side airbag module on small number of cars may contain incorrect inflator, therefore unable to provide adequate protection.
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