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Trying to find something negative about the Honda Civic is like trying to criticize the American flag. Unless you’re some kind of Yugo-loving commie there’s nothing but praise to offer.
Not that we wanted to find fault with the 2008 Honda Civic EX-L, it’s just that we’re amazed how this once tiny economy car has come to be the gold standard of compact cars. The definition of compact has changed greatly since the original Honda Civic two-door sedans landed in the seventies. The Civic has evolved over the decades, but no matter how it’s changed it has remained a very well engineered, very solid car that’s still an outstanding value with excellent resale.
Walkaround: No one will accuse Honda of being risk takers in the styling department, but few will criticize the Civic’s looks either. Whether you label the Civic’s styling as conservative, bland or tasteful, it’s a look that appeals to a great many buyers. If the Civic’s form is debatable, its function is not. The Honda Civic packs a lot of car into a compact footprint.
The Civic lineup is a veritable alphabet soup of models. Put a letter in front of X and Honda probably has it. In Honda’s defense they sell cars by model designation instead of ala cart options.
Our test car was a new for 2008 model, the EX-L Navi. The fact that you can get a Civic with leather says a lot about how the compact market has moved upscale.
Interior: As mentioned previously, leather is available on the 2008 Civic. The seats are comfortable and supportive. The nicely contoured steering wheel was equipped with audio, cruise and phone controls. The futuristic dashboard features a large digital speedometer that’s mounted high enough to view without taking your eyes off the road. It’s the closest thing to the GM Heads Up Display system.
Rear seat room is adequate for six-footers as long as the front seats aren’t all the way back. The flat floor is a plus. The big trunk has a flat floor and a large pass-through opening.
The Honda navigation system is one of the best around (one that’s actually worth having). The power sunroof has an ample opening.
Overall, the Civic interior is very luxurious for a car that barely tops $20,000. The EX-L content level is impressive.
Under The Hood: Honda Civics are favorites among the tuner crowd, but in stock form the 140 hp 1.8-liter four cylinder engine is proficient, not exhilarating. Civic engine choices range from a 110 hp hybrid to a high-revving 197 hp pocket rocket in the Si Coupe. Transmissions include 5- and 6-speed manuals and a 5-speed auto and a CVT auto.
Our Civic was EPA rated at 25/36, but we got 27 mpg in mostly city driving.
Behind The Wheel: The Civic (like all Hondas) is a very well engineered, solid car that’s easy to drive. Only the Si Coupe could be called fun to drive, but the rest of the lineup is certainly pleasant. The interior is very well executed, which adds immensely to the level of driving enjoyment.
Whines: We’d like the Si mechanicals and the EX-L luxury package, although either the EX-L or the Si sedan are great cars.
Bottom Line: The 2008 Honda EX-L Navi is an incredible value. It’s a very luxurious package for such a compact wrapper.
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