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Just when the competition thought it had the Civic marked, Honda brings out its latest version. Refined and packed with features, the 2006 Honda Civic is once again a top choice for compact-car shoppers. Fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly engines, lots of standard safety equipment, roomy and refined interior. Honda has completely redesigned the Civic for 2006. Highlights include a more powerful and fuel-efficient 1.8-liter engine, new exterior styling, an advanced interior design and more premium features. Thanks to its frugal and clean engines, spunky performance and reputation for excellent reliability and durability, the Honda Civic has been a consistent benchmark for the economy car class ever since its introduction in 1973. Those qualities continue to apply to the redesigned, all-new eighth generation of Honda's popular hauler. However, Honda also hopes to shift its U.S. market focus from baby boomers to Gen Y-ers, and as such, the new Civic places a stronger emphasis on design and performance. It's sleeker, more powerful and better performing than any Civic before it, and is undeniably the best and most interesting Civic Honda has ever produced. The 2006 Honda Civic is available as a sedan or a coupe (the hatchback version has been nixed this year), and comes in a number of different trims. As a bit of a change for a Civic redesign, there's not necessarily more of everything. Trunk capacity and rear-seat legroom in the coupe have actually shrunk a bit this year. The reason is a stronger emphasis on style. The Civic's sleek new look includes a laid-back windshield, minimal front and rear overhangs and a tight tire-to-fender gap. This year the coupe rides on a shorter wheelbase. Horsepower is up on every model. All DX, LX and EX models are powered by a SOHC 1.8-liter, inline four-cylinder engine with Honda's i-VTEC system. It makes 140 hp and 128 pound-feet of torque. Every time you get into it, you'll know that you're driving a safe, dependable car that causes minimal damage to the environment and will provide years of faithful service. The LX comes with 16-inch wheels, a CD player with MP3/WMA playback, air-conditioning, full power accessories, keyless entry and cruise control. Every Honda Civic comes equipped with antilock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and active front-seat head restraints. The LX models have front disc/rear drum brakes. The Civic's large dash features an unusual layout. Honda has kept the analog tachometer in the traditional location and placed a digital speedometer and gas gauge at the base of the windshield. Honda calls it a two-tier design. body styles gained 1.4 inches of width this year, so sticking a third passenger in the backseat of either no longer qualifies as bad karma. Driving Impressions The Civic's new 1.8-liter is silky-smooth, fun to rev and gets better mileage than the less powerful engines it replaces. THIS IS A LIKE NEW LX. OVER 40 MILES PER GALLON. FULLY LOADED AUTOMATIC. WHAT ELSE CAN YOU SAY, ITS A HONDA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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