Honda Civic

In 1979, there were two Honda Civics, a hatchback and a sedan, available in three colors with almost no options. These Civics redefined the concept of economy cars, being not only economical but durable and a blast to drive. The Civic was Honda's entry-level car since the beginning of time through 1999.^[1]^[2]^[3]

The Civic appealed to three distinct types of buyers. According to Honda marketing experts, Civic hatchback buyers were likely to be young, single and living with their parents. Civic coupe buyers generally were young and single, too, but also predominantly college graduates who are out on their own. Civic sedan buyers tended to be young married couples with one child. This means that the Civic was aimed primarily at people buying their first new car and competed with other entry-level cars, such as the Toyota Tercel and Corolla, Geo Prizm, Mitsubishi Mirage, Saturn SC1, Dodge/Plymouth Neon, Acura Integra and Nissan Sentra.

Year-to-year changes[]

1991[]

During the Honda Civic's fourth generation, there were three distinct models: hatchback, sedan and station wagon. The hatchback consisted of base, CRX, CRX Si, DX, and Si models, while the sedan consisted of DX, EX and LX models, and the wagon only had one model.

1995[]

For 1995, front-wheel-drive Civics are still economical, well-built and great fun, but they've proliferated to three body styles, six trim levels and four separate engines. There are even seven colors.

The chopped-off little Civic Hatchback comes as a price-leader CX, a super-economical, 56-mpg VX, a midlevel DX and a sporty Si. The notchback Coupe is a foot longer and comes in DX and fancy EX trim. The 4-door Civic Sedan can be had as a DX, LX or luxurious EX. All three body styles are available with 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transaxles.

Honda offers four variations of the same basic 4-cylinder engine, ranging from 70 hp to 125 hp. The most powerful 1.6-liter version features VTEC variable valve timing just like the most expensive sports cars. The hottest combination is the lightweight 125-hp Si with 5-speed, disc/disc brakes and ABS.

The same drivetrain in the EX 4-door produces a surprisingly sophisticated family sedan with good performance and such standard equipment as a power moonroof, air conditioning and fancy AM/FM sound system with built-in antitheft device.

1996[]

Honda has completely redesigned the Civic line for 1996. Built off the same chassis and drivetrain, and sharing most of its mechanical parts, the hatchback is available with only one engine, a 106-hp 1.6-liter 4-cylinder. The hot Si version has been dropped. The Hatchback comes in two trim levels, CX and DX, with either a standard 5-speed manual or an optional 4-speed automatic transmission. The Coupe is available with not only 106 horsepower, but with 115- and 127-hp versions of the same little single-overhead-camshaft Four. The Coupe offers three trim levels: DX, HX and EX, which are keyed to the three engine outputs, respectively.

The Sedan is no larger than the Coupe, but it offers the convenience of four doors. It can be ordered in DX, LX or EX trim. The DX and LX get by with 106 horsepower, while the EX has 127 hp. ABS is optional on all but the EX sedan, on which it's standard.

Retail prices[]

$9,500 (1994 Honda Civic CX 2DR Hatchback)
$10,920 (1994 Honda Civic DX 2DR Hatchback)
$11,350 (1994 Honda Civic DX 2DR Coupe)
$11,870 (1994 Honda Civic DX 4DR Sedan)
$11,620 (1994 Honda Civic VX 2DR Hatchback)
$13,100 (1994 Honda Civic LX 4DR Sedan)
$13,300 (1994 Honda Civic Si 2DR Hatchback)
$13,750 (1994 Honda Civic EX 2DR Coupe)
$15,920 (1994 Honda Civic EX 4DR Sedan)

As of September 2, 1994:

$9,750 (1995 Honda Civic CX 2DR Hatchback)
$11,100 (1995 Honda Civic DX 2DR Hatchback)
$11,590 (1995 Honda Civic DX 2DR Coupe)
$11,980 (1995 Honda Civic DX 4DR Sedan)
$11,800 (1995 Honda Civic VX 2DR Hatchback)
$13,320 (1995 Honda Civic LX 4DR Sedan)
$13,540 (1995 Honda Civic Si 2DR Hatchback)
$14,030 (1995 Honda Civic EX 2DR Coupe)
$16,200 (1995 Honda Civic EX 4DR Sedan)

As of April 17, 1995:

$9,890 (1995 Honda Civic CX 2DR Hatchback)
$11,190 (1995 Honda Civic DX 2DR Hatchback)
$11,720 (1995 Honda Civic DX 2DR Coupe)
$12,070 (1995 Honda Civic DX 4DR Sedan)
$11,890 (1995 Honda Civic VX 2DR Hatchback)
$13,410 (1995 Honda Civic LX 4DR Sedan)
$13,640 (1995 Honda Civic Si 2DR Hatchback)
$14,160 (1995 Honda Civic EX 2DR Coupe)
$16,280 (1995 Honda Civic EX 4DR Sedan)

As of October 16, 1995:

$9,980 (1996 Honda Civic CX 2DR Hatchback)
$11,250 (1996 Honda Civic DX 2DR Hatchback)
$11,900 (1996 Honda Civic DX 2DR Coupe)
$12,250 (1996 Honda Civic DX 4DR Sedan)
$13,100 (1996 Honda Civic HX 2DR Coupe)
$13,600 (1996 Honda Civic LX 4DR Sedan)
$14,950 (1996 Honda Civic EX 2DR Coupe)
$16,280 (1996 Honda Civic EX 4DR Sedan)

Gallery[]

Video Clips[]

Honda_Civic_2DR_Hatchback — Honda Civic 2DR Hatchback

Honda_Civic_LX_4DR_Sedan — Honda Civic LX 4DR Sedan

[1] Honda Civic Hatchback

[2] Honda Civic Sedan

[3] Honda Civic Coupe

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Honda Civic

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