Ever since it first debuted in North America way back in 1973, the Honda Civic has been one of the most efficient, reliable and stylish small cars in this country. It has also always been designed to be very environmentally friendly, even way back in the beginning.
This environmental legacy dates back so for that founder Soichiro Honda once said that, “When congress passes new emission standards we hire 50 more engineers and GM hires 50 more lawyers.” Ouch. You could easily think he said that yesterday, but unfortunately, Mr. Honda passed away way back in 1991. He was referring to the legendary 1975 Honda CVCC which passed the first Congressional clean air laws without the use of a catalytic converter.
Thankfully, however, Mr. Honda’s legacy of intelligent environmental efficiency lives on in the 2010 Honda Civic Coupe and Sedan. And if you think the only decision you have to make when buying a Civic is if you want two or four doors then boy do you have a surprise coming. The Civic line-up is so expansive there is pretty much a variant for any need and budget. But what makes the 2010 models so special?
They Handle, Steer and Feel Sporty
Although you would no doubt expect the top of the line Civic Si with its 2.0 liter 197 horsepower 4 cylinder and close ratio 6-speed manual transmission to feel sporty, the same precision tuned driving experience is present in all Civic models. Yes, even the hybrid variant handles and steers much like a sports car but no Civic ever suffers from a harsh, jittery ride. With the Civic, the car rides and drives in a very grown up manner when you want it to but can be a grin inducing hooligan when you are in the mood for that kind of fun.
There is Plenty of Passenger and Cargo Room Even for Super Sized Americans
The Civic has an impressively commodious 12 cubic foot trunk and even the rear seats have plenty of legroom for those over six feet. Unlike many similarly sized cars, five adults can easily ride in the Civic in complete comfort. There is also a huge covered cubby in between the front seats and the huge cupholders are seemingly designed to hold Big Gulps.
It’s no wonder then that the Honda Civic sells so many units each year, so much so that it even unseated the Ford F-150 and Toyota Camry last year as the best-selling car in the country for a few months. And unlike rivals at Ford, Toyota and Chevy, Honda doesn’t sell many cars to rental fleets. People drive Honda Civics because they want to, not because they are given one at the Alamo counter.
They are Safe
The current generation Civic was the first compact car in history to have standard front, side and curtain airbags as well as ABS, class leading pedestrian impact safety features and Honda’s patented ACE body structure. The ACE body structure makes it so the Honda Civic will perform identically in a collision with another vehicle no matter if it is a similarly sized or much taller vehicle. So you can rest easy that even in an impact with a monster SUV you and your family will still be getting the best crash protection money can buy.
They are Environmentally Friendly
In addition to the 45 mile per gallon highway Civic hybrid, Honda also sells a sedan variant that is powered solely by natural gas. If you are concerned about the effects of our dependence on foreign oil then a natural gas Civic makes perfect sense. The United States has so much natural gas that there is no need for us to purchase any from foreign countries. An added bonus is that it is still a Civic sedan so you get the same top notch driving experience, fun styling and roomy interior.
They are Affordable, Economical and Fun to Drive
With prices starting at just $15,655, the 2010 Honda Civic always comes standard with an eager to rev 1.8 liter 4-cylinder engine that puts out 140 horsepower. This engine was specifically designed to be lighter and to have fewer moving parts than your average engine (thereby decreasing the likelihood of mechanical breakdowns). The 2010 Civic also returns 25 city/36 highway, making it one of the most efficient cars on the road today.
Whether you buy a mid-level LX model ($17,605) or the lavishly equipped EX ($19,455), you can rest easy knowing that you are investing in a compact car that routinely offers owners the highest resale value percentages in the industry. And, for a truly premium look and feel, the 2010 Honda Civic can be ordered with an optional in dash navigation unit and luxurious leather upholstery. As I often tell people when they ask me what kind of car they should buy, “when in doubt always buy a Civic.”
