2003 Honda Civic: Road Test
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2003 Honda Civic Manual
2003 Honda Civic ▼
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- MSRP: $12,810 -$20,550
- Invoice: $11,715 -$18,776
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Our road test for the 2003 Honda Civic includes a full evaluation of the 2003 Honda Civic from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2003 Honda Civic, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2003 Honda Civic help you decide if a 2003 Honda Civic is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| HX cpe, CVT | LX sdn, auto. | EX sdn, auto. | Si | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 4 |
Gas Civics fairly quick with slick-shifting manual transmission: 9.4 sec 0-60 mph for test EX coupe, about 8.0 for lively Si. Automatic blunts performance: 10.2 sec for test LX sedan, 10.0 for HX CVT. Test Hybrid clocked 11.6 sec 0-60 with manual transmission, but doesn't feel pokey except up long grades. Conventional automatic responsive enough, but sometimes shifts with a jolt. Ever-smooth CVT keeps HX and Hybrid powertrains working with impressive efficiency.
FUEL ECONOMY
| HX cpe, CVT | LX sdn, auto. | EX sdn, auto. | Si | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6.5 |
Two extended-use-test automatic-transmission EX sedans averaged 30.5 mpg combined over 15,453 total mi. Test manual-transmission EX sedan averaged 32.5. Including performance tests, manual-transmission EX coupes averaged 26.5-30.4 mpg, automatic-transmission LX sedan 26.8, and CVT HX 28.9. Test Hybrid averaged 47.6 mpg with manual transmission, 39.3 with CVT. Honda recommends regular fuel for all Civics.
RIDE QUALITY
| HX cpe, CVT | LX sdn, auto. | EX sdn, auto. | Si | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4.4 |
All Civics ride better than the subcompact norm. Still, some bumps register through suspension and steering, and Si fidgets on rough freeways, though not uncomfortably so. Float over large humps and dips at higher speeds absent in Si, evident in EXs, fairly pronounced in other models.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| HX cpe, CVT | LX sdn, auto. | EX sdn, auto. | Si | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 5.3 |
Si the most agile Civic, but all models have surefooted moves. Still, cornering lean sets in fairly early, steering is slightly numb and over-light, and most models wander a bit on road grooves and in gusty crosswinds. Routine braking quite good, but test LX sedan without ABS showed mediocre control and longer-than-average distances in simulated panic stops. ABS provides surer stops, but Honda shouldn't limit it to top-end models.
QUIETNESS
| HX cpe, CVT | LX sdn, auto. | EX sdn, auto. | Si | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3.7 |
Refined for small cars--especially sweet, revvy engines--but a step behind Volkswagen Jetta. Main problems are road noise and engine boom at higher rpm, both somewhat more evident in Si.
CONTROLS
| HX cpe, CVT | LX sdn, auto. | EX sdn, auto. | Si | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5.6 |
Simple, well-arranged dashboards. Large, clear instrumentation, and new gauges on HX, LX, and EX offer outstanding legibility, day or night. Si shift lever sprouts from dashboard instead of console, but still easy to work. Hybrid includes readouts for battery charge, electric-motor operation, and fuel consumption. Cabin materials lack Jetta's class-leading quality, but all Civics have exemplary ergonomics and solid workmanship. However, windows on test LX sedan made a mild scraping sound when operated, and one EX coupe had annoying rattle in driver-side door.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| HX cpe, CVT | LX sdn, auto. | EX sdn, auto. | Si | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4.8 |
Sedans offer good 6-footer room and easy entry/exit. Coupes and Si have a bit less head clearance and longer, more-awkward doors. Seats nothing special, nor is over-the-shoulder visibility. Si's sport buckets are comfortable and supportive, but model's seat/steering-wheel relationship not ideal for tall drivers.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| HX cpe, CVT | LX sdn, auto. | EX sdn, auto. | Si | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3.7 |
Adults have adequate head room in Civic sedans. Flat rear floor helps, but leg space still tight with a front seat set well back. Coupes and Si are more confining and require crouch-and-crawl entry/exit.
CARGO ROOM
| HX cpe, CVT | LX sdn, auto. | EX sdn, auto. | Si | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3.8 |
Coupes and sedans have spacious trunks for exterior size, but trunklid hinges steal space and apertures won't swallow really bulky cargo. Hybrid's battery pack mounts ahead of trunk, reduces volume by 2.8 cu ft, and eliminates split folding seatback. Si offers hatchback versatility with easy-folding 60/40 split rear seat, plus ample interior storage.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| HX cpe, CVT | LX sdn, auto. | EX sdn, auto. | Si | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 5.4 |
Despite test-car glitches and worrisome non-ABS braking, Civic is a clear Best Buy. It's an unmatched blend of small-car comfort, refinement, and fuel thrift, plus great resale and reliability records. The Si adds extra sportiness and utility to the mix. Even with the one-time $2000 federal tax deduction for buyers of hybrid vehicles, it's likely to take years to pay back in fuel savings the higher initial purchase price of the Civic Hybrid. Still, it gets our nod over Toyota's less-orthodox Prius as today's best all-around "green" car.
Total Score
| HX cpe, CVT | LX sdn, auto. | EX sdn, auto. | Si | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | 54 | 56 | 57 | 47.2 |
Total Score: 55
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