2008 Honda Civic

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Overview

The 2008 Honda Civic is considerably heavier and more luxurious than its pint-sized forbear. It's not even the company's smallest car anymore, that role is handled by the Fit. But for the average small car shopper, the Civic remains a quintessential choice. We're quite fond of the current-generation Civic, it was last redesigned in 2006, and it's one of America's best-selling cars.

2008 Honda Civic Review

The Honda Civic holds its position at the top of this highly competitive class, with innovative styling, impressive refinement, and a broad model line that ranges from eco-friendly to sport-compact racy. The Civic is comfortable and affords the driver outstanding outward visibility. It comes standard with side-impact airbags and other safety features that are optional on competitive models. The Honda Civic Hybrid sedan is powered by a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine coupled with a permanent magnet electric motor and a continuously variable transmission.

Honda Interior Design

Inside the Honda Civic for 2008, the atmosphere is comfortable, and the instrumentation is easy to use. Instrument lighting is blue on most models but red on the Si's. A magazine pouch is on the rear of the front passenger's seatback; on the Hybrid, there's one on the driver's seatback, too.

2008 Civic Test Drive

Thoroughly modern front and rear suspension designs deliver impressive stability and certain steering response. We like driving Honda Civics. Thankfully, Honda has not fallen prey to the Sport-Shift fad. Honda rates the combined output of the Hybrid's electric motor and 1.3-liter gasoline engine at 110 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque, on regular unleaded. The LNG-powered GX rates 113 horsepower and 109 pound-feet. The Si and Si Mugen models feature 197 hp and 139 lb-ft, thanks partly to a high-compression cylinder head that demands premium fuel.

The 2008 EPA fuel economy estimates(1) are 26/34 mpg City/Highway for the five-speed manual, 25/36 mpg for the five-speed automatic, and 21/29 mpg for the Si six-speed manual. The Si engine is powerful. The Si models come with electronic stability control and larger front disc brakes.

The Si Sedan is almost as much fun as the Si Coupe. Steering response isn't quite as sharp, despite the sedan's thicker front stabilizer bar and different shock tuning from the coupe's.

The Mugen Si starts with the Si sedan and adds a stiffer suspension (which also lowers the vehicle 0.6 inches), 18-inch forged alloy wheels, a full aerodynamic body kit with adjustable rear wing spoiler, a rear diffuser, and a sport-tuned exhaust system claimed to reduce back pressure downstream from the catalytic converter.

Design and Exterior

The 2008 Honda Civic is available in coupe and sedan versions. The Honda Civic DX coupe and sedan are the base models. Standard equipment is confined to power windows, tilt-and-telescope steering wheel, height-adjustable driver's seat and fold-down rear seatback.

The Civic EX is upgraded with four-wheel disc brakes, alloy wheels, and a seven-speaker, 350-watt, XM-ready premium stereo with steering wheel-mounted controls. The Civic EX-L gives drivers a full leather package.

For those looking for a more performance oriented driving experience, the Si coupe and Si sedan is the one you should choose. It offers synthetic suede sport seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob; 350-watt stereo.

The Civic Hybrid sedan features a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), automatic climate control, a roof-mounted radio antenna, a rear decklid spoiler, and hybrid-pertinent digital data displays. The Hybrid is also available with the navigation system and XM Satellite Radio.

The Civic GX is essentially an LX sedan with a 1.8-liter engine powered by natural gas. The coupe's forms an acute angle with the horizontal deck surface, emphasizing the two-door body style; while the sedan's curves down over the rear door's trailing edge, pulling the eye through the higher roofline.

The Si model gets a grille variation with a body-color bar on top and a black bar underneath; an understated Si badge is tucked away to the far right. An i-VTEC label appears just forward of the rear wheel well; on the Si sedan it's placed low on the rear door. Both feature subtle body cladding.

You can identify hybrid models with a small "Hybrid" badge under the right rear taillight. A blue CNG diamond on the right side of the rear deck lid, and "NGV" lettering on the rear doors identify the natural gas-powered GX. 

Honda Civic Conclusions

A new Mugen Si trim level debuts for the 2008 Honda Civic sedan. It's similar to the regular Si sedan but comes with more aggressive suspension tuning, special wheels and exterior body enhancements. The only other change for the Civic line this year is the new availability of leather seating for the new EX-L trim level. The Civic LX sedan is a superb choice for someone who wants a practical compact that is smooth, comfortable and quick. The EX models add all the conveniences, including heated leather seats in the EX-L. The GX offers basic transportation with the potential economy and real emissions reduction of natural gas. "Civic has grown into a stylish sedan that, in most respects, rivals the mid-size Honda Accord of just a few years ago." says Milwaukee Journal Sentinel The Hybrid makes a good commuter car with its fuel-saving electric motor. The Si Coupe and Si Sedan deliver sporty performance for driving enthusiasts.

[1]  Based on 2008 EPA mileage estimates, reflecting new EPA fuel economy methods beginning with 2008 models. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.