2000 Honda Civic: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Redesigned Civics are due for 2001, so the addition of a standard tilt steering wheel to the base CX model and a few paint-color changes are the only alterations for 2000. Civic offers 2-door coupes and hatchbacks and 4-door sedans, all with 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engines. CX, DX, VP, and LX models have 106 horsepower, EX models 127, and the mileage-minded HX coupe 115. The sporty Si coupe has 160 hp, standard 4-wheel disc brakes, and low-profile tires on 15-inch alloy wheels (versus 14s elsewhere). Antilock brakes are standard on the EX sedan and optional on EX coupes equipped with automatic transmission. All but the VP model come with manual transmission, and all but the Si offer optional automatic. On the HX, the automatic option is Honda's CVT continuously variable transmission, which uses a belt-and-pulley system to provide infinite gear ratios.

Likely on sale in fall 2000, the 2001 Civics are slightly wider and longer than the current models and will have more-powerful 4-cylinder engines. Coupes and sedans are definite. It's uncertain whether hatchbacks will return, although there may be a Civic wagon positioned as a sort of bantam sport-utility vehicle below the CR-V.

COMPETITION

This crowded segment is best represented by two exceptional cars--one a Best Buy and the other a Recommended. Our Best Buy is the Honda Civic, which offers a wide range of bodystyles, engines, and equipment levels. Civic is a solid car that has good performance, a nice ride, and is very civilized.

Topping the Recommended list are the Volkswagen Golf and Jetta. They easily could be Best Buys as they are better than the Civic in many ways. However, they are also the most expensive cars in this segment. Other Recommended choices include the no-frills Chevrolet Cavalier and Dodge Neon, the slightly-upscale Chevy Prizm and clone Toyota Corolla, and the roomy Mazda Protege.

If you are looking for a Budget Buy we recommend you stay away from the Hyundai or Daewoo models and take a look at the Ford Escort.