The Honda Civic is one of the best-selling models in America, and has served as a small-car benchmark for decades. It originally debuted for the 1973 model year, considered then to be an odd little hatchback from Japan. Over the years, the Honda Civic grew larger, more comfortable and more sophisticated, cultivating a reputation for fuel efficiency and durability. Today, most Honda Civics are built in the U.S. and in Canada. The current generation car, which arrived for 2006, is offered in two body styles with multiple trim levels that appeal to everyone from young performance enthusiasts to environmentally conscientious drivers looking for alternative transportation. For the purposes of this review, we will focus on the Civic coupe and sedan.

Here is what changed on the 2008 Honda Civic:
• New Civic EX-L trim level with leather upholstery, heated front seats, and heated outside mirrors

The 2008 Honda Civic is sold in DX, LX, EX and new EX-L trim levels. The DX is offered only in sedan format, and comes with basic equipment. Choosing LX trim adds air conditioning, cruise control, power door locks with remote keyless entry, a 160-watt stereo with a CD player and an auxiliary input jack, a center console with a sliding armrest, automatic driver’s power window operation, blue gauge lighting, a folding rear seat, and 16-inch wheels with wheelcovers. The Civic EX includes alloy wheels, a split-folding rear seat, a power sunroof, and ambient cabin lighting. The EX-L features leather upholstery, heated front seats, and heated door mirrors. Note that Civic coupes come equipped with upgraded audio systems that have additional speakers and, on the EX and EX-L models, a subwoofer that is not offered on the sedans.

Options for the Honda Civic are few. The Honda Civic EX and EX-L models can be equipped with an optional voice-activated, touch screen navigation system that includes XM satellite radio and a digital audio card reader. Other accessories are available for the Civic from the Honda dealer.

The standard engine in the 2008 Honda Civic is a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine making 140 horsepower at 6300 rpm and 128 lb.-ft. of torque at 4300 rpm on regular unleaded fuel. A five-speed manual transmission delivers power to the front wheels. A five-speed automatic transmission is optional.

Standard safety features on the 2008 Honda Civic include the automaker’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure, which is designed to help absorb crash energy and deflect it from the passenger cabin. Additionally, the Civic includes six airbags: dual front airbags, side-impact airbags, and side curtain airbags. Antilock brakes with brake assist are also standard. Stability and traction control are not offered on the Honda Civic.
J.D. Power and Associates says the Honda Civic competes against compact cars like the Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Mazda 3, Nissan Sentra, Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Jetta, and others.

More information on the 2008 Honda Civic
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Ratings for the 2008 Honda Civic
Learn more with the First Time Buyer’s Guide