The Honda Civic, first launched in its original form in 1973, has been one of the most popular compact cars sold in America. The Civic offers a high level of fit and finish and an impressive reputation for reliability and low running costs. It has excellent fuel economy and great performance, making it a favorite for U.S. consumers. For small car shoppers looking for a used vehicle, the Civic is again a smart choice, as its long production run and wide range of models make it easy to find what you want. Honda's VTEC technology first appeared in the fifth-generation Civic, which was sold from 1992-'95. The Civic VX featured a fuel-efficient 92-hp 1.5-liter four-cylinder with VTEC-E. More powerful was the 125-hp 1.6-liter four-cylinder VTEC engine found in the Civic Si and EX sedan trims.
Used Civic Generation Six
The sixth-generation Civic covers model years from 1996-2000. It is in many ways a refinement of the style and technology found on the previous generation. Coupe, sedan and hatchback body styles are available for these years. Sedans were offered in DX, LX and EX trim levels. Engine choices were a 1.6-liter good for 106 hp in the DX and LX or 127 hp in the VTEC-equipped EX. There was also a higher-fuel-economy coupe, the 115-hp HX. Honda didn't release the Si trim until 1999. Based on the coupe body style, the Si was powered by a high-performance 1.6-liter engine tuned to put out 160 hp.
Seventh Generation Honda
The seventh-generation Honda Civic was sold from 2001-'05. There were coupe and sedan body styles as well as a two-door hatchback. Honda offered its typical mainstream trims -- DX, LX and EX -- plus a few specialty trims such as VP, HX, SE and Hybrid. The hatchback came only in the Si trim. Most models had a 1.7-liter engine good for 117 hp. The Civic Hybrid mated an 85-hp 1.3-liter four-cylinder gas engine to a 13-hp electric motor and offered the best fuel economy of the lineup. The Civic Si produced 160 hp from its 2.0-liter engine. This generation offers fuel-efficient engines, roomy interior and top safety scores.
Eight Generation Used Civic
The Honda Civic is now in its eighth generation, which was first introduced for the 2006 model year. The Si sedan debuted for '07. The following year saw a limited-edition Mugen Si model and the addition of a leather upholstery option. For '09, the LX-S and DX Value Package trims debuted along with a minor exterior refreshening.