2004 Honda Civic Review

Specifications

Take the Long Way Home

I was having one of those nights when I was so tired that all I wanted to do was get home, get in the bath, and then get into bed. It was late and I had had a long and uneventful day at school and work. All I could think about as I turned onto the last off-ramp before getting home was how good it would feel to go to sleep. Can you relate?

As I hit the second to last traffic light before my house, one of my favorite “mellow” songs came on. What is it about a great song anyway? For some unexplained reason I suddenly felt the urge to take the long way home. I looked up at the thinly cloud-covered moon that shone brightly overhead and pondered, “What am I thinking?” The roads were lifeless, probably because most people were in their beds cozying up with their comforters.

It was just me, a great song, a great car, and a green arrow directing me down the long route. Not a lot of things could persuade me from the calls of a beckoning bed but I was in a new Civic EX sedan, so down the long sinuous stretch of roadway I went. It borders the ocean, the perfect backdrop to the perfect song. It was a memorable drive that inevitably led me to an oh-so-peaceful sleep.

Im still not entirely sure why I didnt just go straight home, but whatever the reason I took pleasure in the Civics exceptionally smooth ride, relaxing seats, and high quality 4-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system. An in-dash 6-disc CD changer is optional.

One of the Civics strong points is its intuitive cabin layout. All buttons and gauges are immediately recognizable, making the initial experience very welcoming. For me, thats a plus.

Also, having a car that is drivable right off the bat earns bonus points. What do I mean by that? Well, the clutch was effortless to work with at first push, and shifting is easy as a premixed cake. Translation: user friendly from the get-go.

Powering the Civic EX is Hondas trademark V-TEC 4-cylinder engine, which produces 127 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 114 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. The 1.7-L 16-valve DOHC engine offers an additional 12 horsepower in comparison to its DX, SE, and LX Civic. I found that the sassy EX was sufficiently powered for its size, giving enough zing to get up steep hills with a little kick. But compared to other top-line engines in competitive compacts, such as the Mazda3s new 148-hp base and 160-hp optional engine, it lacks get up and go. Actually, almost every other rival automaker makes a more exciting top-line engine for their respective compact sedans. Honda might want to address this issue.

Still it gets going quick enough to appreciate the standard 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD). Stopping is efficient whether on dry or slippery surfaces.

Speaking of slippery surfaces, the West Coast was hit by a one-day-blizzard, dropping more than 8 inches in a very short duration. For some, that snowstorm would sound like another winter day, but not so in my region. Nevertheless, the EX got me through it in one piece. It only lost traction a few times, but on a whole it handled much better than the Mazda3 Sport that was in my possession around the same time. Perhaps the added stability was enhanced by its much smaller, less performance-oriented tires. The Honda sports 195/60R15 all seasons compared to the Mazdas 17s. The 15-inch alloy wheels are practical, not to mention stylish. On the whole, its quite a decent front-wheel-drive “snowmobile.” On the dry however, Id take the 17s on the Mazda.

So when not frolicking in the winter wonderland of white flakes, I was cruising around town in the rain. But that didnt stop me from reaping the benefits of the standard power moonroof. It comes with a tilt feature, privacy glass, as well as a sunshade, the latter obviously not needed for my test.

Additional standard features that I particularly liked were the 5-speed manual transmission (always a bonus for me), lidded front cupholders, cruise control, keyless entry remote with panic alarm feature, power door locks and windows, and air conditioning.

Visibility in the Civic is ideal. The front dash is low, the blind spots are easily identifiable, and the rear is not too high, making parallel parking a breeze. Plus, its a compact car, enabling me to squeeze into the oh-so-hard to fit parking spots and stalls.

The interior is clean-looking and has a hint of sass with its carbon-fiber-look instrument panel and console. As for the exterior, with its body-colored door handles, impact absorbing bumpers, heated power mirrors, and side moldings, its a very appealing vehicle. If you hadnt noticed, Honda updated its headlights and front fascia this year, nothing dramatic but enough to excite diehard Civic fans.

I, however, found the new Civic EX sedan to be fairly plain. Yes, its reasonably attractive on the inside and out, but I felt like it needed a little more pizzazz. I felt the same about the Honda CR-V that I drove previously. Theyre both fabulous vehicles, but to me each needs a little “something” to get me excited. Compared to the new Mazda3, for instance, the Civic looks a little, yawn, too family oriented.

Nevertheless, its a smooth, comfortable ride and is fuel efficient to the max. The V-TEC EX engine is classified as an Ultra Low-Emission Vehicle (ULEV). Aiding the world against global warming and saving money is worthy of praise. Fuel economy runs at about 31 mpg in the city and 46 mpg on the highway.

So, if you are having “one of those nights,” what you need is a new Civic EX sedan to drive the long way home. Its a great ride, and somehow that doesnt surprise me. After all, its a Honda. Quality is in the name.