Honda Civic (eighth generation)


The eighth generation Honda Civic was introduced in September 2005, for the 2006 model year. This generation introduced the "two-tier" instrument panel. In many countries, all models come standard with power windows, anti-lock brakes, and side/curtain airbags. Additionally, the 2006 models acquired ULEV-2 certification and boast a more powerful 1.8-litre engine than the 2005 counterparts while retaining almost equal fuel economy.
In the North American market, the sedan and coupe styles are available, which were designed in Japan and Ohio, respectively. The sedan and coupe are available in several trim levels. The Hybrid only comes as a sedan, while the Si coupe was joined by a sedan in 2007, and the Si sedan entered the Canadian lineup in 2008. 2008 saw the addition of new interior features such as a 60/40 rear folding seat and remote trunk release for LX models, while 2009 models had a mid-generation refresh most notable on the front grille. In Canada, the Japanese-market type Civic 2.0GL is sold as the Acura CSX, and uses a K20Z2. A CSX Type-S is also sold, which is similar, but instead is equipped with the Civic Si drivetrain.

Asia, Australia, South Africa and Russia

In the Asian, Pakistan, Russian, South African and Middle East, Canary Islands: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria markets, the new Civic has slight but noticeable styling differences from the American version. While the arcing line sweeping across the front fascia is retained, the main headlights dip away from the main arc for a more sporty appearance. The front bumper also has more vents with a steeper angle and sharper corners than the U.S. Civic. Meanwhile, the taillights are more reminiscent of the Integra, with the main round brake lights dipping slightly down into the indicators. By contrast, the taillights of the U.S. Civic resemble those of an Audi A4. On the interior side, the Asian-market Civic has contrasting two tone colour scheme. The three-spoke steering wheel from the American Civic Si and the European hatchback is standard.
Engines include a 1.8-litre SOHC i-VTEC engine that produces at 6300 rpm and a 2.0-litre DOHC i-VTEC engine that produces at 6200 rpm, both are mated to either a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic with drive by wire throttles. There is a 1.6-litre variant available in Singapore and Turkey. A vehicles in the vehicle numbers curbing system in Singapore, while maintaining a higher standard than the 1.3 L variant. It uses an SOHC i-VTEC engine, similar to that of the 1.8-litre variant. It produces at 6500 rpm. For the hybrid, there is the 1.3-litre SOHC i-VTEC with the IMA.
In Israel, South Africa, Australia, Turkey and Republic of Ireland, both the 4-door Asian and 5-door European Civic models are available. In certain European countries, the four-door JDM Civic is available with the hybrid powertrain, being the only Civic sedan available in the UK. In other markets where sedans are more popular, a range of sedans similar to the JDM models are available with the 1.8 L i-VTEC. In Singapore and Brunei, the 3-door European Civic Type R was available.
In the Philippines, the Civic is offered in 3 grades; the entry-level 1.8 V, producing at 6300 rpm, and mated to either a 5-speed manual transmission or 5-speed automatic transmission. The 1.8 S has the same features as the V, however, it had different wheels, which is a 15" alloy, and equipment level such as ABS Brakes and SRS Airbags while the S has a 16" alloy, 5-spoke wheels. The 2.0 S produces at 6000 rpm. The S-L is only mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, while the manual transmission version has been discontinued. The S-L variant also has a 17" 7-spoke alloy wheels, 3-spoke leather steering wheel, HID lamps, and has blue leather seats. All of the variants has a digital instrumental gauge. Since the current generation is first introduced to the market in April 2006, its total sales has exceed its nearest competitor, Toyota Altis.
In Pakistan, the Civic is offered in 2 trim levels; the Civic i-VTEC/VTi and the Civic VTi Oriel, both versions are powered by a 1.8-liter SOHC i-VTEC engine, offered with manual or automatic transmissions. The difference between the two models is that the VTi Oriel gets additional features, not available in the i-VTEC/VTi, such as sunroof, alloy wheels and door mirrors with integrated turn signals. In Pakistan the eighth generation Civic is also known as 'Honda Civic Reborn'.
The Indonesian market is offered in only two models, 1.8 and 2.0. The 1.8 is available in both manual and automatic transmissions. Both 1.8 and 2.0 automatic transmission has a paddle shifting, unlike the others for the Asian market. The 1.8 has dual airbags, ABS, EBD, a single-CD player, a 16-inch 5 spoke alloy wheels and air-conditioning, whereas the 2.0 adds a 6-disc CD changer, automatic air-conditioning, ESP, a 17-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels and navy blue/light gray interior instead of the dark gray/beige offered on the 1.8. The facelift model adds an 18-inch 8-spoke alloy wheels replacing the 17-inch offered on the 2.0 trim.
The South Korean market has three trim levels, 1.8, 2.0, and Hybrid. All Civic models are equipped with 5-speed Automatic transmissions, with the exception of the hybrid model which uses a CVT.
The Japanese-market Civic is in fact a rebadged Acura; Honda Japan chose the Canadian-designed Acura CSX as the template for the JDM Civic. In Canada, the Acura CSX has features and options not available to American Civics, such as a 2.0 L DOHC i-VTEC engine rated at, chrome door handles, paddle shifters, and high-intensity discharge headlights. Due to the width dimensions exceeding Japanese government regulations for exterior dimensions, the Civic is no longer regarded as a "compact" sedan in Japan, which has been passed onto the smaller Honda Fit Aria for the compact sedan segment.
Honda Japan has recently removed from its webpage of the sale of petrol engine Honda Civic. The Civic Hybrid and Civic Type R webpages are retained.
In Hong Kong, the Right-handed drive Civic is made in Japan but shares its exterior with the North American-market Civic. Two models are sold, sharing the same engine with minor differences in appearance and equipment, e.g. side mirror turn signal light, side airbags and cruise control. In the facelift model, the more expensive VTi model comes with paddle shifters.
In Malaysia, the eighth generation Civic was first launched in March 2006 and then facelifted in March 2009. In July 2010, a 1.8S-L variant was introduced. Prior to this, only two variants were offered: 1.8S and 2.0S.

Europe

The European Civic is offered primarily as 3/5-door hatchbacks and produced in Swindon, England. It has a different appearance and suspension compared to the American and JDM Civics. The car won 2007 Semperit Irish Car of the Year in Ireland.
Designed by Toshiyuki Okumoto, the exterior of the European model is the most aggressively styled; the sweeping front arc is maintained and a perspex cover resembling a lamp cluster replaces the grille. The rear tail lights are also similarly styled. Triangular accents are found front and back, with triangular fog-lamps in front and dual triangle exhaust tips at the back. The rear backglass is split into two levels, divided by a spoiler lip and the fuel filler cap is a race-inspired exposed metal effect cap. For the 5-door models, the rear door is hidden away, with the door handles tucked away at the corners of the rear windows, creating the illusion of a two-door coupe.
Mechanically, the European Civic differs from the American and JDM variants in that it uses a simpler torsion beam suspension system for the rear wheels compared to the double-wishbone system in the American and JDM versions. The more compact suspension of the European Civic allows it to keep its large interior space, while reducing its length compared to its predecessor. Engines include a 1.4-litre i-DSI, 1.4-litre i-VTEC, the 1.8-litre i-VTEC shared with the American and JDM models, and a 2.2-litre i-CTDi N22A2 turbodiesel. A 6-speed manual transmission is available across the range. An automated manual transmission, known as i-SHIFT is available for models with 1.4- and 1.8-litre petrol engines. A 2.0-litre i-VTEC petrol Type-R high-performance version is also available. Si and the Type-S models were also offered in Europe, with the Type-S in the three-door configuration and the Si as a five-door, but both going without the 198bhp 2.0L engine used in the North American Si. No saloon version was offered in most West European markets.
Inside, the European Civic follows the same split-level or "two-tier" instrument panel as the American and JDM Civics. However, the European Civic has circular A/C vents and switchgear. There is also a start button reminiscent of the Honda S2000. The handbrake is in a more conventional position behind the gear stick. All around there is a generous use of metallic trim. Some other features of the European Civic include "magic seats" in the rear, that not only lie flat to increase boot capacity, but also allow the seat bench to lift up and lie flat against the back rests to create a large loading area in the back behind the front seats. There is also a "hidden" storage compartment in the boot under the floor. The lid, which normally forms part of the boot floor, can be sunk down to a lower level to increase the load area, designed to allow the boot area to accommodate larger or taller items. In the normal position, the storage area can be used to hide valuables away under the floor. Some models in the range feature things like electric folding mirrors, a panoramic glass roof, dual climate control, automatic headlights, xenon lights, headlight washers, and automatic windshield wipers. The range topping EX model also has DVD satellite navigation, and allows the car's entertainment system, climate control, navigation system and hands-free telephone system to be controlled all by voice commands.
In Serbia, Republic of Macedonia, Israel, Russia, Poland, Croatia and Republic of Ireland, both the 4-door JDM/Asian and 5-door European Civic models are available. In certain European countries, the four-door JDM Civic is available with the hybrid powertrain, and this is the only Civic sedan available in the UK. In other markets where sedans are more popular, a range of sedans similar to the JDM models are available with the 1.8 L i-VTEC. In Turkey, a 125 PS 1.6 L i-VTEC engine is available with the 4-door JDM/Asian body since tax brackets of this country rely on engine displacement.
In March 2008 Honda announced that it was recalling 79,000 eighth generation Civics due to a potential problem with faulty handbrakes.

2009 facelift

Euro Civics received a mild facelift for 2009. The main change is the new redesigned front grille which now features two open intakes. The Type S received a grille similar to the Type R, only without the red badge. The rear bumper has also been slightly changed, as have some interior parts. Perhaps most importantly, the entry-level 1.4 i-DSI engine has been dropped from the line-up and replaced with a new, more powerful 100 PS 1.4 i-VTEC engine which is available with a new version of the i-SHIFT transmission.

2011 facelift

The car received a mild facelift for 2011, including a new front grille which is said to be inspired by that of European Type R model, new alloy wheels which are now standard equipment, body colour side-skirts for Type S model, a new ionized Bronze colour for the exterior. For the interior, SE and ES models gets half fabric and Alcantara, Si model comes with half leather and Alcantara with heated front seats. Production for the 2011 hatchback started at the Swindon plant in November 2010.
Honda discontinued the 2.2 L i-CTDi diesel engine offered in Civic from 2011.

North America

The eighth generation Civic features a redesigned dashboard incorporating a "two-tier" instrument panel. The upper panel is completely electronic and contains a digital speedometer in the center, with the coolant temperature and fuel displayed as linear segmented indicators on each side. The lower tier, slightly smaller than that of previous generations, has a backlit analog tachometer and the digital odometer and trip computer below it. The gear shift position indicators are to the right of the tachometer in automatic transmission and hybrid models, while the latter also features additional IMA Assist and Charge indicators to the left. Indicator lights are spread over both displays, whose brightness can be adjusted and saved independently.
All Civics have unique covers/wheels specific to their car and come standard with cloth seats. The rest of the Americas receive the North American-market Civic sedan.

Trims and models

The base DX model is equipped with LATCH, immobilizer theft-deterrent system, power windows, daytime running lights, 15-inch steel wheels with covers, driver's seat height adjustment, and other features American DX models do not have a standard audio system, while the Canadian equivalent has a 160 watt 4-speaker AM/FM/MP3 stereo system with CD player. Air conditioning is optional, which is known as DX-A in Canada.
The DX-VP sold in the United States adds air conditioning and the 160 watt 4-speaker AM/FM/MP3 stereo system with CD player.
The DX-G model sold in Canada adds air conditioning, auxiliary input jack for portable audio players, power door locks, remote keyless entry and storage console armrest. In 2008, it added cruise control, lightweight alloy wheels, and a lip spoiler.
The LX model adds a 160 watt 4-speaker AM/FM/MP3 stereo system with CD player, 16-inch steel wheels with covers, cruise control, MP3/audio jack, passenger-side walk-in with memory, floor mats, and an anti-theft security system with remote entry. In 2008, Canadian LX models added features including a lip spoiler, 60/40 rear folding seat, and remote trunk release.
Since 2009, the LX-S for the US market adds alloy wheels, lip spoiler, steering-wheel cruise controls, and black sport upholstery with silver stitching.
The 2008 model year introduced the LX-SR or LX Sunroof for the Canadian market, which adds a power moonroof and 4-wheel disc brakes. In 2009, the sedan was renamed the Sport and has added features such as black sport upholstery with silver stitching, chrome exhaust finisher, and leather-wrapped steering wheel. These amenities were not added to the coupe which remained as the LX.
The EX model adds a power moonroof, 4-wheel disc brakes, 16-inch alloy wheels, an additional 12-volt accessory outlet, a 350 watt stereo system with six speakers, exterior temperature indicator, a foldable rear arm rest with integrated cupholders, and an optional voice-activated navigation system. This trim was sold in Canada in the 2006/2007 model year, until it was replaced with the LX-SR and EX-L models.
The EX-L model adds a leather interior with heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a center console.
All coupes come standard with a rear lip-spoiler, while EX models have round chrome finish on the exhaust pipe. Coupes are intended to be sportier than their sedan counterparts, they have a more aggressive suspension set up consisting of firmer spring rates and thicker anti roll bars coupled with adjusted damping settings, and cost US$200 less in the US and CDN$200 more in Canada at base MSRP. Civic models with a moonroof have slightly less interior space due to reduced headroom. MSRP is US$15,305 for the DX manual coupe to approximately US$21,000 for the Si models.
The Honda Civic GX is designed to run on compressed natural gas. Due to the limitations of the CNG tanks, the 6-speaker stereo system is not installed.
Only a continuously variable transmission is offered for the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid, which gains more power and a mileage boost to a United States Environmental Protection Agency estimated /. It achieves an AT-PZEV emission rating. The 1.3 L L13A i-DSI engine has been upgraded to achieve, instead of in earlier model. Accompanied by the electric motor with 15 kW which gives in total for the Hybrid vehicle. Top speed is rated at 186 km/h, CO2 emission is 109 g/km and the mass of the car is —not much for a car equipped with IMA electric motor and nickel–metal hydride batteries.
Both the Civic GX and Civic Hybrid have a similar trim level to the Civic LX, with some differences like lightweight alloy wheels, and external mirror lights.

Si

The car comes with a 2.0-liter K20Z3 i-VTEC engine that produces and of torque, while including a 6-speed manual transmission with a helical limited slip differential. Forty percent stiffer spring and dampening rates from the non-Si trims and stiffer sway bars have bolstered the Civic Si's handling, with the car achieving 0.90g of lateral acceleration on the skidpad. It is also the quickest Civic Si off the line, with a factory 0–60 time of 6.7 seconds according to Honda. Some new features include a moonroof, a seven-speaker 360-watt sound system, 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/45R17 Michelin all-season tires, and key-less trunk access. Brazilian market Si's have a version of the K20 engine designated K20Z5.
In Canada, the Acura CSX Type-S was offered in 2007, borrowing the engine and drivetrain from the Civic Si but offering additional luxury options such as leather seating. The CSX features similar front and rear fascias to the JDM Civic, but with slight differences—the CSX has a crease running along the center of the hood and front bumper, whereas the JDM does not.
The 2007 model changes for the Civic Si include the addition of the Si trim for sedans, vehicle stability assist , darker silver wheels, body-color grille, a deck lid spoiler, reversed red/black coloring on the odometer, and Si-embroidered front floor mats. The introductory price of the Si Coupe increased by $800 to the MSRP of $21,090. In 2017, 10 years after its original release, the 2007 model was recalled due to a defect in the vehicle's airbags, where it could potentially explode in front of the driver and its occupants when activated in both minor and major accidents, posing a threat to passengers.
For the 2008 model year, the Civic Si received minor tweaks that include even darker wheels than the 2007 model and a new shift boot with red stitching. Mechanical changes included a new tire pressure monitor system, a new rear upper arm that decreases the amount of rear camber, and a lowered spring rate for the coupe to match the sedan. This was also the first year Canada sold the Civic Si Sedan.
Vehicle color selections:
;Civic Si Sedan
Honda introduced the Civic Si Sedan for North America in 2007; previously, only the Japanese market had been offered Si Sedans. Debuted at the Chicago Auto Show, the Si sedan concept featured larger 18-inch alloy wheels than its coupe counterpart, along with 4-piston Brembo brakes, and large cross drilled brake rotors. The production version lacked such concept accoutrements, and the Si Sedan is mechanically almost identical to the coupe. Performance of the Si sedan is roughly equivalent to the Si coupe; the sedan's weight increase is offset by a slightly more balanced front/rear weight distribution.
;Civic Mugen Si Sedan
The 2008 model year also brought into production the limited-edition 2008 Civic Mugen Si Sedan, which was announced at the 2007 SEMA Show. The Mugen sedan came only in Fiji Blue Pearl, and featured a higher-flowing cat-back exhaust, track-tested sport suspension, an exclusive Mugen grille, an exclusive shift knob, Mugen Si badges on the exterior and interior, Mugen forged GP wheels, and a Mugen body kit custom designed for the American trim. Production was limited to only 1000 units, and the car carried an MSRP of $29,500. Testing by Car and Driver magazine determined that the acceleration of the Mugen Si was roughly equivalent to that of the standard Civic Si coupe.

Facelift

For the 2009 model year, Civics sold in the North American market received a facelift. For the sedan exterior, the front bumper and grille were restyled and the bar above the rear license plate is chromed, while the coupe received a new front bumper and grille both reminiscent of previous Civic coupe generations. The sedan's taillights now use transparent lenses with amber bulbs for the turn signals, rather than red lenses. For the interior, the sedan's steering wheel was changed from a two-spoke design to use the coupe and Si model's three-spoke design.
Changes for the 2009 Si also included a revised front bumper and grille, turn signals with clear-lenses and amber bulbs for the front and rear, a clear instead of red third brake light in the rear spoiler, and chrome trunk trim for the sedan. Several new colors were also introduced, such as Redline Orange Pearl, Dyno Blue, Polished Metal Metallic and Crystal Black Pearl, replacing the previously similar colors. The 2010 Civic Si saw no significant changes, save for a black engine cover rather than silver.

Sales

During the debut of Civic sedan and coupe concepts at the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, it was announced that more than 1.5 million units of the eighth-generation Civic have been sold since it first went on sale in late 2005.

Award and recognition

For the Brazilian market, the eighth generation Civic is available only with a sedan body, and it is externally almost identical to the American version, having different bumpers and a higher ground clearance. It is available in two trim levels. The LXS and EXS levels are equipped with the 1.8 L i-VTEC SOHC engine generating at 6300 rpm. Both models might be equipped with a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic transmission, but only the EXS has the paddle shift controls on the steering wheel. A special trim level for handicapped individuals, based on the LXS, was available in the first year but due to some changes in tax-break laws it's no longer available. It was equipped with automatic transmission and limited to. The 2006 Civic received the "Best Buy" award from Quatro Rodas magazine. The recommended prices for 2006 Civics in Brazil range from R$61,745.00 to 80,750.00, but due to high demand, new Civics are being sold for about 10% more than the recommended price. The Si sedan was announced at Salão do Automóvel in São Paulo, featuring a 2.0 L i-VTEC DOHC at 192 PS . For the 2007 model, Honda introduced a new Flexible Fuel version, featuring the same 1.8 L engine, having 140 PS when running only on ethanol or 138 PS when running on gasoline.
Argentina, Uruguay and Chile also receive Brazilian models. The price ranges from US$20,000 to $25,000 in Argentina; in Chile prices range from CLP$10.490.000 for the Brazilian built LXS model, to CLP$13.900.000 for the Japan built Civic Hybrid, to CLP$15.990.000 for the Brazil built four-door Civic Si sedan, and up to CLP$19.990.000 for the US-specs Civic Si coupe.

Mainland China

Dongfeng Honda Automobile, one of Honda's joint ventures in China, assembles and markets the Civic in China from April 2006. It comes with a 1.8-liter i-VTEC engine. Its exterior is the same as the North American-market Civic, except with amber tail turn lights and only the sedan model is available.
It is the basis that becomes Ciimo, a model from Dongfeng Honda, one of Honda's joint-venture in the country. The Ciimo was introduced as an original designed model of the joint-venture to the Chinese market in April 2012 after the ninth generation was launched. However, the Ciimo differs from the previously sold Civic by adopting a front and rear end inspired by the Japanese market model, as a result, it is slightly longer. It comes with a 1.8-litre i-VTEC engine, with either a five-speed manual or five-speed auto transmission. Production was discontinued in 2016.

Type R

Honda debuted a Type R concept for the European Civic at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show; the Type R, basing on the three-door hatchback developed for the European market, has a 2.0-litre 201 bhp at 7800 rpm inline 4 cylinder engine. The suspension uses MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam in the back, while the car itself was initially thought to be lighter than the standard Civic as dictated by Honda Type R philosophy. Sophisticated handling aids such as traction control were initially thought to be completely eschewed for a purer, more soulful driving character. In the end, Honda did include a special version of their VSA that was specifically tuned to the car so as to better adhere to said philosophy. The Type R went on sale in the UK in February or March 2007, and is scheduled to reach Australia in July the same year. The European Civic Type R also went on sale in Brunei.
The JDM/Asian 4-door Civic Type R went on sale on March 29, 2007. The Type R powered by an uprated K20A 2.0-litre iVTEC engine producing at 8000 rpm, while the other markets have at 7800 rpm and comes with a specially tuned sports suspension that includes new Brembo brakes. The prototype Type R was used as the official car of the Formula 1 2006 Japanese Grand Prix. This will mark the first time that Honda will produce two separate distinct Civic Type R models.
Mugen's Civic RR, the Type R sedan's uprated model, is available in Japan. The Mugen RR sheds an additional 10 kg off the standard Civic Type R's weight, coming in at. In addition to the weight loss, the freer-breathing Mugen RR picks up over the regular Type R. It's rated at at 8,000 rpm and at 7,000 rpm.
Complementing the added power and decreased weight are a new bodykit, upgraded brakes all around, a retuned suspension, new wheels and tires, and logo-emblazoned Recaro sport buckets. Availability is limited to 300 cars, all in the Milan Red finish shown, and the pricing in Japan has been set at ¥4,777,500.
Mugen's official website has a video of the car lapping Japan's Tsukuba circuit in 1:06:68.