The 2008 Honda Civic comes as six distinct models: sedan, coupe, Si sedan, Si coupe, Hybrid sedan, and natural-gas GX sedan.

The sedan and coupe both have a 1.8L i-VTEC four-cylinder engine, making 140 horsepower and 128 lb-ft of torque and bringing a fuel economy figure of 25 city, 36 highway with the optional five-speed automatic transmission. A five-speed manual is standard. The sedan and coupe meet ULEV-II emissions standard in all 50 states.

The Si sedan and coupe step up to an especially high-revving 2.0L i-VTEC four-cylinder engine making 197 horsepower and 139 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed manual transmission and employing a helical-type limited-slip differential to help ensure smoother power delivery in high-performance driving.

The Si models also get significant upgrades, including 17-inch wheels and high-performance V-rated tires, special trim and bolstered sport seats with red stitching inside, and a rear wing and aerodynamic cladding outside.

All Civics have Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure, which helps more evenly absorb the force of frontal collisions and also helps in collisions with vehicles of differing sizes. Four-channel anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, front occupant side air bags, two-row side-curtain air bags, active front head restraints, and rear head restraints for all positions are standard on all models, too.

The Civic Hybrid only comes as a sedan. It brings a smaller 1.3L four-cylinder engine paired with a 20-horsepower electric motor as part of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system, in which the electric motor boosts the gasoline engine when accelerating, saves some of the energy lost in braking, and allows the engine to turn off at stoplights, provided your foot is on the brake. Together, the engine and motor deliver 110 horsepower and 123 lb-ft of torque and return an EPA rating of 40 city, 45 highway.

Finally, there's the Civic GX, which is also only available as a sedan and is powered exclusively by natural gas. The GX is only available at select dealerships in California and New York, and comes with a 113-horsepower, 1.8L four-cylinder engine. It gets the equivalent of 24 city, 36 highway, according to the EPA, but may qualify for a federal tax credit.

Sedans and coupes (except the Hybrid and GX) are available in three trim levels: the frugal DX (which is the Civic price leader, at $14,810 for the coupe), the well-equipped LX, and the more luxuriously appointed EX and EX-L with leather seat trim. The DX gets power windows and locks and tilt/telescope steering, among other basics. The LX adds popular features like air conditioning, cruise control, remote entry, and a CD sound system, while the EX brings extras like a six-speaker sound system that's XM ready and a 60/40-split folding rear seat to make the trunk area more versatile.

Si models are equipped with a similar level of conveniences as EX models, but they also get a 350-watt, seven-speaker sound system with a subwoofer. The Mugen sedan nets performance enhancing features such as factory-tuned suspension, cat-back exhaust, and a special appearance package, including a body kit, a unique front grille, and an adjustable rear spoiler.

A satellite-linked navigation system with voice recognition is optional on EX and Si models and has a 6.5-inch display screen. The system also brings a CompactFlash card reader, so that MP3 or WMA media can be played on the sound system.

Model Strengths

Standout styling; miserly fuel economy; plenty of green choices with Hybrid and natural-gas GX; safety features; reputation for reliability.

Model Changes

Following the 2006 redesign which produced a sleeker, more rakish body style, more standard equipment, and revised powertrains and components throughout, the Honda Civic enters the 2008 model year relatively unchanged.

In addition to the EX is the new EX-L, which adds leather seating surfaces to an already impressive list of equipment. Also, the Si sedan increases its level of performance with the Mugen package, which includes a track-tuned suspension, 18-inch alloys, a revised exhaust, and race-inspired body enhancements.

Model Value

Honda has built a longstanding reputation with the Civic, positioning it as one of the sportiest, most fun-to-drive small cars, yet one with the highest fuel economy and lowest emissions. The 2008 Civic emphasizes styling and safety at a very competitive price.

Honda Civic is a compact car manufactured by Honda. It was introduced in July 1972 as a two-door coupe, followed by a three-door version that September. With transverse engine mounting of its 1169 cc engine and front-wheel drive like the British Mini, the car provided good interior space despite overall small dimensions. Early models of the Civic were typically outfitted with a basic AM radio, a rudimentary heater, foam-cushioned plastic trim, two-speed wipers and painted steel rims with a chromed wheel nut cap. The current Civic has become much more luxurious with satellite-linked navigation, a six-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, power locks, and power windows. In the United States of America, the Civic is the second-longest continuously-running nameplate from a Japanese manufacturer; only the Toyota Corolla, introduced in 1968, has been in production longer. Honda began selling the 1169 cc transversely mounted inline four-cylinder Civic for about US2,200. The car produced roughly 50 hp and included power front disc brakes, vinyl seating, reclining bucket seats and a woodgrain-accented dashboard. The hatchback version added a fold-down rear seat, an AM radio and cloth upholstery. The car had front and rear independent suspension. A four-speed transmission was standard. Options for the Civic were kept to a minimum, consisting of air conditioning, an automatic transmission called the Hondamatic, radial tires and a rear wiper for the hatchback. The car could achieve 40 mpg on the highway, and with a small 86.6 inch wheelbase and 139.8 inch overall length, the vehicle weighed 1,500 pounds . The Civic's features allowed it to outperform American competitors such as the Chevrolet Vega and Ford Pinto. When the 1973 oil crisis struck, many Americans turned to economy cars. Reviews of American economy car quality were poor and getting worse due to spiraling costs for manufacturers. Japanese culture had a long-standing tradition of demanding hig