Compact car manufactures have introduced so many compacts over some years that any new car entry finds numerous rivals right from day 1.
The competition is huge in compact class cars as compared to luxuries or sports. Honda has led this compact class by providing consumer performance, quality and good price for the compact cars. Honda has also been credited to create a compact sport craze with its CRX Honda Civic.

The Honda civics’ new model introduced couple of years back was more about efficiency, and it was dull and was rather boring. For 2006 the picture is quite different and a complete new design has been introduced offering improved power, handling, ride quality and passenger comfort. The 2006 line up now carries coupes and sedans with new engines, tiers, transmission and another entry known as Honda Civic Hybrid Sedan.

Exterior Features of 2006 Honda Civic

Honda has completely changed the civic for 2006 and no single panel from the 2005 model is carried to the new car. The metal sheet is also changed. The coupes and sedans also don’t share any body panels among them and have their own trims. The new 2006 body frame is designed stronger to absorb more shocks. Targeting the compact sport market the capability for suspension and other modifications without hindering the cars looks are also provided in 2006.

Sedans Front

Sedans font is quite wider than the 2005 model. The styling of the front is delicate. Sedan’s front grille has a dominant polished bar placed horizontally. The headlights are fixed in an upward angle curving around fenders. There is a single broad front air intake.

Coupes Front

The front of the coupe is wider even then the 2006 sedan. The grill of coupe is wider and has a Honda logo on dull black frame. Headlights of the coupe have more style and sharp outline. The front intake is also different and it opens in two recesses feeding air to the disc brakes of front wheel. There is also fog lights optional space present too.

Windshield and Sails

The windshield of the sedan is quit steep stretching to the hood and matching the Acura NSX’s angle. The coupe has an even steeper angle of the front windshield. The sails (body paneling after rear windows) are also different for sedans and coupes. The sedan’s sail is stretched to the edge of rear door and has higher roof whereas the coupe’s rounded sail gives swift look.

Rear

The rear of the cars is also different. The coupe has a sloping trunk where as the sedan has almost a vertical cut at the trunk edge trailing into the bumper.

Interior Features 2006 Honda Civic

The shape of interfaces and features in the all new 2006 Honda civic interior don’t have much symmetry among them and give a look of a video game. However it doesn’t look bad.

Dash Board

Under the hood above the round analog tachometer there is a digital speedometer, temperature and fuel meters. To the sides are the air conditioning vents. In the center of the dash board are the LCD window with navigation display and some audio controls or in hybrid some hybrid control system functions and stereo controls right above the panel for climate control. In front of the passenger the ash board is curving and has two different air conditioning vents.

Center stack is not available and there is storage bin in the dash in front of front passenger. Under the climate control there is a storage bin and has power point at its left. Cup holders are also provided for convenience. Between the front seats is an armrest and has a storage bin too. Doors have hard map pockets.

Interior Passenger Space

Well even with an addition in the overall length of the 2006 civic the space between dash and front seat is same where as the leg space between the rear and front seat has gone almost an inch less. However the hip space is almost half an inch more in the front and more than half inch in the rear seats than the 2005 models.

Comfort

The seats are comfortable and the upholstery is quite durable. Thigh support has become even better with head restraint adjustments available for all five seats. Front driver’s seat also has height adjustment.

Cabin View

The front vision with a steep expensive windshield and a sloping hood is unmatched in compact class. The side beltline is also low giving better side view. The side mirrors are placed more toward the rear enhancing the rear side view. The coupes has even smaller C pillar (pillars joining the rear window and the ) and provide better rear view.

Trunk

The trunk has good capacity and a compact spare tier. The luggage capacity is some what less than the 2005 models.