The new 2009 Honda Civic has now hit most dealer showrooms across the country and potential car buyers can finally see and judge it for themselves. Now only time will tell if the perennial favorite Civic can hold its own in a very challenging market for carmakers.
Our bet is that it will, as those buyers still in the market will favor a compact vehicle with a well established record for reliability.
Honda has reason to feel good about the prospects of its signature vehicle. The Civic is already the third most popular vehicle in the country, trailing only the Toyota Camry and Toyota Corolla. (Yes, the Civic has recently taken over the #1 sales spot within Honda from the Accord.)
Car shoppers will see many familiar features in the new model, as well as recognize its successful design. However, the 2009 Civic still gets some freshened exterior styling, several new features, as well as some new trim levels.
The compact Civic is available as a 4-door sedan or a 2-door coupe. Also available is the gas/electric Civic Hybrid sedan, as well as a sedan that runs on compressed natural gas (CNG). Sedans and coupes come in DX, LX, EX, EX-L, and sporty Si trims. However, the limited-edition MUGEN Si has been discontinued for 2009.
New for 2009 are DX-VP and LX-S sedans. The DX-VP ("Value Package”) gives the cheapest Civic model a radio and air conditioning. Obviously, this is a quite stripped down model ... and its most affordable.
On the other end, the new Civic LX-S is a mid-level LX with a sporty interior theme (including black fabric with silver stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and faux-suede bolsters), a rear spoiler and alloy wheels. Expectations for this model among younger buyers are quite high.
The DX, DX-VP, LX, LX-S, EX, and EX-L trims are all equipped with a 140-hp 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine. Si Civic versions have a 197-hp 2.0-liter four and only comes with a 6-speed manual transmission. All 140-horsepower Civics are equipped with either a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission.
The Civic Hybrid combines a gas engine and an electric motor for 110 horsepower and runs on either or both of its power sources. The gas engine is most useful in city driving because it shuts off at a stop and restarts again when the driver releases the brake pedal. Hybrids do not require plug-in charging.
The EPA gas mileage estimate for the 2009 Civic Hybrid is 40 mpg city and 45 mpg highway. Traditional Civics gas mileage will range from 21 mpg to 36 mpg, depending on the model.
Available to fleets and lucky residents of California and New York, there's an additional trim, the Civic GX. The GX comes with a 113-horsepower 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine that runs on CNG, with an automatic transmission only.
Safety features for all Civics include ABS, an anti-skid system, traction control, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags.
Also, EX-L models feature leather upholstery and heated front seats. A navigation system with voice activation is available on the EX, EX-L, Si, and Hybrid. And new this year is an available wireless cell phone link for the EX, EX-L, Si, and Hybrid. Leather upholstery is also available on the Hybrid for the first time.
Update: Weak Economy Leads To Lower Civic Prices:
Honda's sales have been weak for months now, evidence of a continuing poor economy and an especially weak car buying trend. And the current combination of fierce dealer competition and a soft market has created an ideal opportunity for nailing down great deals.
How To Buy A New Civic At The Lowest Price: Before listing MSRP and invoice prices for the 2009 Honda Civic, here's he most successful new car buying technique for getting the absolute best price, especially given the current slow car market.
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