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2007 Honda Civic Full Review
Date Published: 4/08/08
Also in the 2007 Honda Civic Review:
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Honda Civic Photos

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Honda Civic Full Review

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2007 Honda Civic Review
A sedan version of the sporty Si coupe joins the Civic lineup for 2007. Honda's compact cars come in 4-dr sedan and 2-dr coupe body styles, and include a gas/electric Hybrid sedan. Sedans and coupes come in DX, LX, EX, and Si trim. All have a 4-cyl engine. DX, LX, and EX models have 140 hp. Si versions have 197 hp. Hybrids combine a gas engine and an electric motor for 110 hp. The Hybrid automatically runs on one or both of its power sources to balance acceleration and fuel economy. The system recharges itself; no plug-in charging is necessary. DX, LX, and EX models use a 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed automatic. Si models come only with a 6-speed manual. The Hybrid has a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). ABS is standard on all Civics. The Si models have a sport suspension, uprated brakes, and a limited-slip differential designed to direct more power to the outside front wheel in a turn to aid handling. Front side airbags and curtain side airbags are standard. A navigation system with voice activation is available on EX, Hybrid, and Si.
Competition
Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Cars comprise popularly priced sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons with wheelbases 100 inches or longer.

Our Best Buys include the Honda Civic and Mazda 3. Our Recommended picks are the Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, and Mazda 5.

New or significantly redesigned models include the Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Sentra, Nissan Versa, and Pontiac G5.
News
Sources still expect a sporty Civic-based wagon sometime soon. Long rumored for the Latitude name, it would be Honda's answer to the likes of Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Chevrolet HHR and other compact people-carriers. That assumes, of course, it's on the board, which is unknown at present.

A Civic could be among the diesel models Honda plans for the U.S. by 2009. Honda, which has sold 4-cyl diesel cars in Europe since 2004, says its new-generation "clean diesel" will meet the tougher U.S. emissions standards taking effect in '07. With gas prices so high, and given the greater fuel thrift of diesel engines, an "oil burner" Civic seems a near shoo-in.
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2007 Honda Civic Road Test
Pros Cons
Fuel economy Rear-seat entry/exit (coupe)
Acceleration (Si)
Steering/handling (Si)
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration

LX sedan, man. EX sedan, auto. Hybrid Si coupe Class Average
5 5 3 6 4.6

With either transmission, 140-hp Civics lazy away from a stop, but have adequate power around town and for highway merging, passing; automatic especially alert to throttle inputs. Slick-shifting Si models crave high rpm, respond with terrific acceleration.

Hybrid also slow off the line, demands liberal throttle to build speed quickly, but keeps pace with fast-moving traffic. As with other CVTs, this one lets engine rev ahead of vehicle speed. Hybrid powertrain has no overt vices; system shuts off engine at stops to save gas, restarts instantly, maintains air-conditioner power.
Fuel Economy

LX sedan, man. EX sedan, auto. Hybrid Si coupe Class Average
7 7 9 7 6.5

Test EX sedan with automatic transmission averaged 26.1 mpg. Test Si coupes averaged 29.9-30.3 mpg. Test Si sedans averaged 26.3-29.4 mpg.

Test Hybrids averaged 37.8-38.0 mpg. Si requires premium-grade fuel, other Civics use regular.
Ride Quality

LX sedan, man. EX sedan, auto. Hybrid Si coupe Class Average
6 6 6 4 5.3

Sedans take bumps in stride, with good absorbency, little float or wallow. LX and EX versions especially stable at highway speeds. Coupes feel choppier on uneven surfaces, but even firm-suspension Si never jars.
Steering/Handling/Braking

LX sedan, man. EX sedan, auto. Hybrid Si coupe Class Average
6 6 4 8 5.8

DX models competent, but no more than midpack for steering response, resistance to cornering lean. LX, EX versions could use more grip in fast turns, but feel reassuringly responsive in most changes of direction. Hybrid has low-rolling resistance tires that enhance fuel economy, but allow copious noseplow in tight turns. Agile Si models tenacious in corners, though suffer slight torque-steer. All Civics have fine straightline stability even in crosswinds, plus effective stopping control with good pedal modulation.

Quietness

LX sedan, man. EX sedan, auto. Hybrid Si coupe Class Average
6 6 4 4 4.4

Sedans near top of class in suppression of road, wind noise. Hybrid's CVT promotes pronounced engine noise in rapid acceleration, but some testers find 140-hp engine noisy as well. Coupes do not isolate nearly as well as sedans. Si models' snarling engine/exhaust note is race-car invigorating at high rpm, not obtrusive in more relaxed driving.
Controls

LX sedan, man. EX sedan, auto. Hybrid Si coupe Class Average
6 7 7 6 5.9

Two-tier instrument panel places an analog tachometer ahead of the driver and separately housed digital speedometer directly above. Design works to good overall effect. Speedometer's digits are in driver's line of sight for viewing without taking focus off road. Climate controls within easy reach, though audio switchgear requires a stretch. Navigation system takes time to master, has undersized buttons, and absorbs too many audio functions, but programming via predetermined voice commands a plus. Navigation screen difficult to read in changing light. Controls move with smooth precision, cabin materials a laudable mix of high-grade plastics, fabrics; EX, Hybrid have richer trim, upmarket feel.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

LX sedan, man. EX sedan, auto. Hybrid Si coupe Class Average
5 5 5 5 5.6

Tilt/telescope steering column and height-adjustable driver seat are standard, help tailor accommodating driving position. Seats blend support, comfort; Si's buttressed for glued-in-place feel in fast cornering. No excess head room for tall occupants, especially beneath sunroof housing. Long front roof pillars impede outward view to corners; long dashtop shelf, sloping nose complicate judging distance in close quarters. Some sunlight conditions trigger annoying windshield reflections.
Room/Comfort (rear)

LX sedan, man. EX sedan, auto. Hybrid Si coupe Class Average
4 4 4 2 4

Sedans have adequate adult head room. Knee space tight with front seats far aft. Toe room uncompromised unless front cushions near lowest point. Flat floor aids overall comfort, as does firm, well-contoured seat. Sedan doors open wide for good entry/exit. Coupe's tiny, hard-to-access rear seat best left to toddlers.
Cargo Room

LX sedan, man. EX sedan, auto. Hybrid Si coupe Class Average
3 3 3 3 4.8

Sedan has wide, tall trunk with generous opening, low liftover. Coupe trunk has same attributes, but slightly less volume. On both, lid hinges intrude on cargo area. All but Hybrid have folding rear seatback. All doors have map pockets, cabins a plethora of storage bins, cubbies.
Value within Class

LX sedan, man. EX sedan, auto. Hybrid Si coupe Class Average
9 10 8 7 6

Dynamically, Civic matches the class-leading Volkswagen Jetta and Mazda 3. That's high praise, even if the Honda isn't quite as substantial-feeling as the Jetta, or, except for the Si, quite as athletic as the Mazda. Civic is more comfortable than most rivals, despite being only as big inside as it absolutely needs to be. With its two-tiered instrument layout and some futuristic shapes, the interior is innovative, entertaining even, without sacrificing functionality. What no competitor matches is the particular fusion of reliability, engineering, style, and value Honda brings to this market segment. That makes Civic a Best Buy pick.
Total Score

LX sedan, man. EX sedan, auto. Hybrid Si coupe Class Average
57 59 53 52 52.9
Scores for all Compact Cars

Low Score
42
Average Score
52
High Score
60
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2007 Honda Civic Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 02/01/2007
Trim Name Retail Price Dealer Invoice Destination Charge
DX 2-door coupe, manual $14,810 $13,644 $595
DX 2-door coupe, automatic $15,610 $14,377 $595
DX 4-door sedan, manual $15,010 $13,827 $595
DX 4-door sedan, automatic $15,810 $14,561 $595
LX 2-door coupe, manual $16,760 $15,432 $595
LX 2-door coupe, automatic $17,560 $16,166 $595
LX 4-door sedan, manual $16,960 $15,616 $595
LX 4-door sedan, automatic $17,760 $16,349 $595
EX 2-door coupe, manual $18,710 $17,221 $595
EX 2-door coupe, automatic $19,510 $17,955 $595
EX 2-door coupe w/navigation and satellite radio, manual $20,460 $18,826 $595
EX 2-door coupe w/navigation and satellite radio, automatic $21,260 $19,559 $595
EX 4-door sedan, manual $18,710 $17,221 $595
EX 4-door sedan, automatic $19,510 $17,955 $595
EX 4-door sedan w/navigation and satellite radio, manual $20,460 $18,826 $595
EX 4-door sedan w/navigation and satellite radio, automatic $21,260 $19,560 $595
Si 2-door coupe, manual $21,090 $19,404 $595
Si 2-door coupe w/performance tires, manual $21,290 $19,587 $595
Si 2-door coupe w/navigation and satellite radio, manual $22,840 $21,009 $595
Si 2-door coupe w/navigation, satellite radio, and performance tires, manual $23,040 $21,192 $595
Si 4-door sedan, manual $21,290 $19,587 $595
Si 4-door sedan w/performance tires, manual $21,490 $19,771 $595
Si 4-door sedan w/navigation and satellite radio, manual $23,040 $21,192 $595
Si 4-door sedan w/navigation, satellite radio, and performance tires, manual $23,240 $21,376 $595
Hybrid 4-door sedan, CVT $22,600 $20,789 $595
Hybrid 4-door sedan w/navigation and satellite radio, CVT $24,350 $22,394 $595
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
DX
Powertrain
1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission.
Safety
Dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, antilock brakes, front-seat active head restraints, daytime running lights, emergency inside trunklid release.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Power steering, tilt/telescope steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, height-adjustable driver seat, cupholders, folding rear seat, power windows, tachometer, intermittent wipers, visor mirrors, rear defogger.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, rear spoiler (coupe), 195/65R15 tires, wheel covers.
LX adds to DX:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, interior air filter, cruise control, center console, power mirrors, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, digital-media player connection, digital clock, map lights, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
205/55HR16 tires.
EX adds to LX:
Safety
Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Split folding rear seat, steering wheel radio controls, power sunroof, outside-temperature indicator, variable-intermittent wipers.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Alloy wheels.
Si adds to EX:
Powertrain
2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, 6-speed manual transmission, limited-slip differential.
Safety
Uprated brakes.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Sport suspension, 215/45VR17 tires.
Hybrid adds to EX:
Powertrain
1.3-liter 4-cylinder gasoline/electric motor, continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
Safety
Brake assist.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Automatic climate control, mirror-mounted turn signals.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Deletes: 4-wheel disc brakes, split folding rear seat, power sunroof.
Rear spoiler, 195/65R15 tires.
Optional Equipment
No factory options.
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2007 Honda Civic Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
Specification Honda Civic 2-door coupe Honda Civic 4-door sedan
Wheelbase, in. 104.3 106.3
Overall Length, in. 174.8 176.7
Overall Width, in. 68.9 69.0
Overall Height, in. 53.5 56.5
Curb Weight, lbs. 2593 2628
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 11.5 12.0
Standard Payload, lbs. -- --
Fuel Capacity, gals. 13.2 13.2
Seating Capacity 5 5
Front Head Room, in. 38.0 39.4
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 42.6 42.2
Rear Head Room, in. 35.1 37.4
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. 30.3 34.6
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
  dohc I4 dohc I4 sohc I4/electric
Size, liters/cu. in. 1.8 /110 2.0 /122 1.3 /82
Horsepower @ rpm. 140 @ 6300 197 @ 7800 110 @ 6000
Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. 128 @ 4300 139 @ 6200 123 @ 1000
Availability Standard Standard Standard
EPA City / highway mpg
     
5-speed manual 30/38 --/-- --/--
6-speed manual --/-- 23/32 --/--
5-speed automatic 30/40 --/-- --/--
CVT automatic --/-- --/-- 49/51
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Test Honda Civic 2-door coupe Honda Civic 4-door sedan
Front Impact, Driver 5 5
Front Impact, Passenger 5 5
Rollover Resistance 4 4
Side Impact, Driver 4 4
Side Impact, Rear Passenger 5 5
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%. Side-impact 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%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
Class Years/Miles Comments
Powertrain 5/60,000 8/80,000 on Civic and Accord Hybrid battery packs.
Bumper-to-bumper 3/36,000 --
Corrosion 5/unlimited --
Free roadside assistance None/-- --
Free scheduled maintenance None/-- --
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in: USA, Canada
Drivewheels: front-wheel drive
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Also in the 2007 Honda Civic Review:
5. 
Honda Civic Photos

6. 
Honda Civic Full Review

7. 
All Honda Civics

8. 
All Hondas


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