TO THE POINTWhat’s New? Taking a quantum leap forward in terms of design, comfort, safety, refinement, and technology, the 2006 Honda Civic Coupe is more fun to drive while getting better gas mileage. Selling Points: Sleek styling, sophisticated engineering, comfortable front seats, lots of standard safety equipment, reputation for reliability, excellent fuel economy Deal Breakers: Cramped back seat, funky dash design Our Advice: For stylish, affordable, safe, economical, and reliable transportation, it’s hard to argue against the redesigned 2006 Honda Civic.
SpecificationsThe 2006 Honda Civic Coupe’s primary competitors include the Chevrolet Cobalt Coupe, the Ford Focus ZX3, the Mini Cooper, and the Scion tC.
Test Vehicle: 2006 Honda Civic EX Coupe with manual transmission
Estimated Base Prices: $14,500 (DX); $16,500 (LX); $18,500 (EX)
Engine Size and Type: 1.8-liter inline four with variable valve timing
Engine Horsepower: 140 at 6,300 rpm
Engine Torque: 128 lb.-ft. at 4,300 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manual (standard); five-speed automatic (optional)
Curb weight, lbs.: 2,593 (DX manual); 2,767 (EX automatic)
Estimated EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway): 30/39 mpg (manual); 30/40 mpg (automatic)
Length: 174.8 inches
Width: 68.9 inches
Wheelbase: 104.3 inches
Height: 53.5 inches
Leg room (front/rear): 42.6/30.3 inches
Head room (front/rear): 38.0/35.1 inches (DX/LX); 37.8/34.7 inches (EX)
Max. Seating Capacity: Five
Max. Cargo Volume: 11.5 cubic feet
Competitors: Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus ZX3, Mini Cooper, Saturn Ion Quad Coupe, Scion tC, Volkswagen Golf
Photos courtesy of American Honda
About Christian Wardlaw Christian Wardlaw joined Autobytel's Automotive Information Center (AIC) in January 2003, and current serves as Manager of Content Development for Autobytel. Previously, Christian spent eight years as Editor-in-Chief and Director of Automotive Data for Edmunds.com. A writer, editor, and automobile aficionado, Christian is a different sort of car enthusiast. His passion lies in the vehicles that people most often buy, rather than with high-performance sports cars or ultra-luxury sedans. “Given the choice to spend an hour with a Dodge Viper or a Honda Accord, I’ll choose the Accord,” he claims. Unless, of course, the driving venue is a racetrack. Christian has been a car enthusiast all of his life, uttering “car” as his first word while growing up in Detroit. A graduate of Western Michigan University, he holds a bachelor’s degree in English. His daily drivers include a 1994 Mazda Miata, a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata, and a 2005 Nissan Murano.
