Honda not only has completely redesigned the 2006’s civic providing four civic models but has also given each car a distinct drive experience.

Honda has changed 2005’s 1.7 liter with the new 1.8 liter engine producing 13 more horsepower by the help of new electronics and engines variable timings for all 4 valves. The engine torque also gets better and has gone from 114 to 128 in 2006 models. The sedan models however have effects on fuel economy if using automatic transmission and the sedan losses a mile in city per gallon but gains 2 miles on highway than the 2005 models mpg.

Honda Civic Si coupe

Si coupe’s 2.0 liter engine produces more power and the electronics controlling it are more aggressively tuned. The rpm has changed from 6800 to 8000, horsepower has increased from 160 to 197 hp and engine torque has moved up to 139 pounds/feet from 132 of the 2005 model. Fuel economy has decreased 4 miles per gallon and 2006 Si is will be doing 22 mpg in city. The fuel economy stays where it was before for the highway which is 31 mpg.

Honda Civic Hybrid

Honda civic hybrid model has also better tuned for 2006 beating its 2005 model in every respect. The fuel economy is around 50 mpg for both the city and the highway drive. Horsepower has increased by 17 hp and torque has an addition of 18 ponds/feet.

Honda Civic Lx

The LX Civic sedan has many improvements than 2005 models. In 2006 model line up this car brings the best comfort drive than any other. The enjoyment in the drive of Honda civic has been brought back into it which was lost a little bit in 2005 and previous models. The solid comfortable ride of LX brings with it lesser wind and road noise then expected in compacts. Gear shifts have become smoother. Brakes are solid and steering capability of the LX is also enhanced. The automatic transmission is also good. A minor adjustment to the gear box would be excellent which is to give an extra space below the D setting. When you come out of the parking gear you end up in D3 notch instead of D.

Sedan Vs Hybrid Drive Differences

The main difference among sedan and hybrid civic models is the transmission. The automatic transmission keeps the rpm at the most efficient number according to driving speed and the condition of the road. The weight difference among them i.e. hybrid is 74 pounds heavier than the sedan, has not put any affect on the car performances and has not created any difference either.

Differences Among Coupes

Coupes come out to have relatively larger differences among them. Si coupe has a manual 6 speed transmission which had pleasant shifts and good precision. The other coupes in the Honda Civic line up has manual 5 speed transmission which is not that pleasant as compared to the Si’s transmission. It actually felt like tough and needed careful handling. Handling of Si demanded some skill. The engine is producing good power but being a front wheel drive the amount of acceleration generated affects the steering wheel making the drive to put in an extra effort to get good fun. The base coupes are less challenging with the decrease in power.

Braking from high speeds and pushing the throttle hard while coming out of the curves is quite joyful in the Si coupe. Base coupes are well less thrilling but if you have enough money in your pocket Si coupe will certainly deliver the best coupe experience in its price range.

Honda at its Best

Only power is not added to the entire model line up but the chassis, suspension, wheels are all upgraded to support this fresh new power change. The chassis is made stronger and has better crash worthiness; more stiffness is added too which has given civic more solid drive. Both suspensions of front and rear have been redesigned along larger alloys and better tiers which have given the 2006 civic more stability and steering has become crisp. The ride has become smoother by a longer wheel base.