Honda Civic Hatchback · Phlat Cat

No Civic before or after embodies the small-car performance movement as well as the fifth generation model. Honda completely redesigned the Civic, giving it a more aerodynamic body that brought the Civic to the forefront of small car design and development.

Honda continued the trend of offering hatchback and sedan models with a range of different power units and trim levels available for each. The hatchback trim levels included the CX, DX, VX and Si. CX models were fitted with a 1.5-litre 70 horsepower power unit, while the DX had a 102 horsepower one. The other two models, the VX and Si, were kitted out with Honda’s variable valve timing (VTEC) engine. The VX was fitted with a 92hp VTEC-E (economy) engine, while the Si had a 125 horsepower VTEC unit.

Despite the increase in power and ability to carry five passengers, the VX managed fuel economy figures of 48 mpg in the city and 55 on the highway – almost the same as the old CRX HF.

Three different trim levels were offered for those who wanted the sedan: the DX, LX and EX. The DX and LX both sported the 102 horsepower engine, while the EX had the 125hp 1.6-litre VTEC unit under the hood.

A five-speed manual transmission was offered as standard, and a four-speed automatic was offered on the DX hatchback and all of the sedan models of the Civic.