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2009 Honda Civic Sedan Review

April 24, 2009

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Interior is innovative, entertaining even, without sacrificing functionality
ConsumerGuide

Changes are minor, including a new bumper that now incorporates three air intakes
Motor Trend

Instantly recognizable and much sleeker-looking than most of its competitors
Cars.com

The extensive Honda Civic lineup gets a minor refresh for 2009, as well as two new trim levels for the 2009 Honda Civic sedan. Although the exterior styling on the Honda Civic is generally praised, reviews read by TheCarConnection.com reveal that the interior is much more polarizing.

The sheetmetal adorning the Honda 2009 Civic is unique among entry-level sedans and coupes in that it actually stands out from the crowd. ConsumerGuide reports that Honda Civic "sedans and coupes come in DX, LX, EX, EX-L, and sporty Si trims," and "new for 2009 are DX-VP and LX-S sedans," while the natural-gas-powered Honda Civic GX is available only as a sedan. All variants of the 2009 Honda Civic share the same distinctive, futuristic styling that Cars.com says makes the Honda Civic "instantly recognizable and much sleeker-looking than most of its competitors." Motor Trend reports that, "when the latest-generation Civic first hit the market, many were surprised by its unusual styling, but the Civic's looks have proven a hit with buyers." Honda, accordingly, hasn't changed much for 2009, as Car and Driver cites "new head- and taillights and a new grille and front bumper design," along with "some new colors and alloy wheel designs," are all that identify the latest model from the 2008 Civic. However, Car and Driver is also quick to point out that the Honda 2009 Civic's "styling—the large, fast windshield, minivan-like front end, and UFO-style two-tiered dashboard—incites a bit of controversy, as these are all love-them-or-hate-them elements."

The unconventional interior design of the 2009 Honda Civic gives rise to strong opinions both for and against the look. Despite the 2009 refresh, Honda "is sticking with its controversial two-tier dashboard," although upgrades to the interior mean that "all Civic sedans now feature a sporty three-spoke steering wheel," notes Motor Trend. ConsumerGuide reviewers feel that the dashboard design "works to good overall effect" in both the sedan and coupe, but they lament the fact that "the navigation system takes time to master, has undersized buttons, and absorbs too many audio functions." Also favoring the new dash is Cars.com, which says that "though the design is very different than most instrument panels, it doesn't take long to get used to and see the logic in it." TheCarConnection.com's own editors differ, however, and feel that the layout is ungainly, especially on the Honda Civic sedan.

Conclusion

The 2009 Honda Civic offers sleek exterior styling, though the interior might carry the space-age theme too far.

STYLING | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:Interior is innovative, entertaining even, without sacrificing functionalityConsumerGuideChanges are minor, including a new bumper that now incorporates three air intakesMotor TrendInstantly recognizable and much sleeker-looking than most of its competitorsCars.com The extensive Honda Civic lineup gets a minor refresh for 2009, as well as two new trim levels for the 2009 Honda Civic sedan. Although the exterior styling on the Honda Civic is generally praised, reviews read by TheCarConnection.com reveal that the interior is much more polarizing. The sheetmetal adorning the Honda 2009 Civic is unique among entry-level sedans and coupes in that it actually stands out from the crowd. ConsumerGuide reports that Honda Civic "sedans and coupes come in DX, LX, EX, EX-L, and sporty Si trims," and "new for 2009 are DX-VP and LX-S sedans," while the natural-gas-powered Honda Civic GX is available only as a sedan. All variants of the 2009 Honda Civic share the same distinctive, futuristic styling that Cars.com says makes the Honda Civic "instantly recognizable and much sleeker-looking than most of its competitors." Motor Trend reports that, "when the latest-generation Civic first hit the market, many were surprised by its unusual styling, but the Civic's looks have proven a hit with buyers." Honda, accordingly, hasn't changed much for 2009, as Car and Driver cites "new head- and taillights and a new grille and front bumper design," along with "some new colors and alloy wheel designs," are all that identify the latest model from the 2008 Civic. However, Car and Driver is also quick to point out that the Honda 2009 Civic's "styling—the large, fast windshield, minivan-like front end, and UFO-style two-tiered dashboard—incites a bit of controversy, as these are all love-them-or-hate-them elements." The unconventional interior design of the 2009 Honda Civic gives rise to strong opinions both for and against the look. Despite the 2009 refresh, Honda "is sticking with its controversial two-tier dashboard," although upgrades to the interior mean that "all Civic sedans now feature a sporty three-spoke steering wheel," notes Motor Trend. ConsumerGuide reviewers feel that the dashboard design "works to good overall effect" in both the sedan and coupe, but they lament the fact that "the navigation system takes time to master, has undersized buttons, and absorbs too many audio functions." Also favoring the new dash is Cars.com, which says that "though the design is very different than most instrument panels, it doesn't take long to get used to and see the logic in it." TheCarConnection.com's own editors differ, however, and feel that the layout is ungainly, especially on the Honda Civic sedan. ConclusionThe 2009 Honda Civic offers sleek exterior styling, though the interior might carry the space-age theme too far. 2009 HONDA CIVIC STYLING | [7 out of 10] ConsumerGuide: "Interior is innovative, entertaining even, without sacrificing functionality" Motor Trend: "Changes are minor, including a new bumper that now incorporates three air intakes" Cars.com: "Instantly recognizable and much ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The Mazda3 has a reputation for the best handling in this class; there’s a new Mazda3 arriving as an early ’10 model, and it’s even better in refinement and interior materials. The Toyota Corolla is new for the 2009 model year and gets more refined and more expensive, though base versions can have a plasticky interior. The Ford Focus was restyled for the 2008 model year, and while most reviewers think it's a step backward, the Focus has new features like Ford's SYNC entertainment and hands-free phone controller. Finally, shoppers of standard-version Civic sedans owe it to themselves to check out the Hyundai Elantra sedan, which is arguably a step above the Corolla in refinement, yet roomier and more comfortable than the Civic.

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See the Honda Civic Sedan in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

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