| As Honda's entry level, subcompact vehicle, | | | | wells in all types of conditions. It maneuvers |
| what's not to like about the | | | | through traffic confidentially |
| Civic?As an ideal example of getting what you | | | | and without hesitation, despite its limited |
| pay for, the 2004 Civic includes | | | | horsepower and four-cylinder |
| almost 40 style options - 2-door to 4-door to | | | | engine.There is, however, an increase in engine |
| hatchback, gas to hybrid | | | | noise at high speeds, and the |
| and 5-speed manual to automatic.For my weekly | | | | automatic shifting could be smoother in |
| drive, I tested the 4-door EX sedan with a 127- | | | | around-town situations.Perhaps the most |
| horsepower, 1.7-liter, 16-valve, 4-cylinder engine. | | | | impressive Civic feature is its fuel efficiency. With |
| The appealing | | | | estimates of 31 mph in city driving and 38 mph in |
| magnesium gray metallic exterior was | | | | freeway conditions, |
| complemented nicely with a | | | | economy is bliss, particularly in recent times |
| mixed dark and lighter gray interior. The color | | | | when gas has surpassed |
| combination, combined | | | | $2 per gallon in many parts of the country. I |
| with Honda's straightforward, unassuming | | | | drove the car for a week and |
| exterior styling resulted in | | | | still had more than a half-full tank |
| anything but an entry level visual | | | | remaining.Considering its price range, the Civic is |
| presentation.Among all of the variously configured | | | | also good choice in many other |
| Civics, the base prices vary nearly | | | | areas. As a six-foot, 180-pound driver, I didn't |
| $8,000. My vehicle was priced at slightly more | | | | feel squeezed in, but two |
| than $18,000 - which | | | | similarly sized rear-seat passengers could use |
| catapults it into a well-deserved perennial | | | | more head and leg |
| best-buy category when | | | | room.The Civic also has a large trunk for its |
| matched against the Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla | | | | class, further adding to its status |
| and Volkswagen Jetta | | | | as one best vehicles in its price range on the |
| or Golf.Consider some of the standard exterior | | | | market. Like most Hondas, |
| features: power moon and | | | | the Civic also has a tremendously reliable repair |
| sunroof, 15-inch alloy wheels and power exterior | | | | record, which adds to |
| mirrors.Standard interior features include cruise | | | | its high resale value.2004 Honda Civic EXSafety |
| control, power window and | | | | features -- Driver's and passenger's front and side |
| door locks, driver and front passenger vanity | | | | airbags, ABS |
| mirrors, map light, 12-volt | | | | brakes, emergency trunk opener, front and rear |
| accessory socket and AM/FM/CD with four | | | | crumple zones.Fuel Mileage (estimates) -- 31 mpg |
| speakers.A simple, well-designed dashboard, with | | | | (city), 38 mpg (highway).Warranty -- Bumper to |
| well-lit numbers and dials, | | | | bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; corrosion, 5 years, |
| further add to the vehicle's attractiveness.Of | | | | |
| course, a car's looks don't mean much if it | | | | unlimited mileage.Base price range-- |
| performs poorly. For Civic | | | | $12,810-$20,650.James Raia is a syndicated |
| owners -- and all subcompact owners -- one | | | | journalist in Sacramento, Calif., who writes |
| potential concern is a | | | | about sports, fitness and business topics as well |
| vehicle's positioning and safety in inclement | | | | as the free electronic |
| weather conditions and | | | | newsletters Endurance Sports News and Tour de |
| among larger vehicles, particularly on | | | | France Times and The |
| freeways.The Civic is only 174.6 inches long and | | | | Weekly Driver, a car review column. |
| 67.5 inches wide, but it fare | | | | |