Autonet.ca (new version of Canadian Driver.com) Review: 2006-2011 Honda Civic

An old Japanese nameplate
History Honda Civic is one of the oldest Japanese nameplates sold in Canada, having been launched here in 1972, and has been the best-selling car in this country for the past 13 years.
The 8th generation of the Japanese compact was marketed from 2006-11, until an all-new 2012 model came out this spring. Despite the popularity of hatchback models in Canada, Civic has been available only as a coupe or sedan since 2006, although a hybrid version also was available. At the 2006 Canadian Car of the Year Awards, Civic Si was named best new sports car and Civic sedan best new economy car. Search available trim options for the 2006-2011 Honda Civic

The good stuff
With its rugged ACE body structure (which stands for Advanced Compatibility Engineering), the 8th generation Civic is one of the safest compacts and has earned 5-star ratings from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for both driver and passenger in frontal crash testing. Si models, available in both coupe and sedan form, have a potent 2.0-litre inline four making 197 hp. From 2006-11 Natural Resources Canada named Civic Hybrid as the most fuel-efficient compact sold here, with ratings of 4.3L/100 km highway and 4.7 city. Civic seats were once too thin and hard, but now are extremely comfortable - even on long trips.

Heads up!
2006-07 models, both coupes and sedans, suffered from an unusual number of recalls (for Honda), the most serious of which was a leak that could cause rear wheel bearing failure and which affected 107,653 cars. Something to be wary of in these times of high prices at the pump: the Si burns premium fuel. The 1999 and 2000 Civic Si has had the dubious distinction of being the most stolen car in Canada for several years running. This problem has been solved with the anti-theft engine immobilizer that is standard on 8th generation vehicles. The Si is a willing performer, but the 2.0-litre engine is a bit of a screamer when driven to its 8,000 rpm limit.

Overall
Except for the Hybrid, which is made in Japan, Civics sold in Canada are built at Honda’s Alliston, Ont. assembly plant and sold in several trim levels. The two-tier instrument panel was controversial at first and does take some getting used to. Fuel economy with the 1.8L gas engine won’t approach that of the Hybrid, but still will be in the range of 7.5L/100 km highway. As with all popular cars, used Civics sell at a premium - especially newer, low-mileage examples.

Prices at a glance
Year range Approx. price range
2006 $8,000 - $14,000
2007 $9,000 - $15,000
2008 $10,000 - $19,000
2009 $13,000 - $21,000
2010 $14,000 - $23,000
2011 $15,000 - $25,000

Vitals
Engine: 1.8L SOHC I4 (140 hp); 2.0L DOHC I4 (197 hp); hybrid system, 1.3L SOHC I4 plus electric motor (110 hp) Transmissions:5-speed manual; 5-speed automatic; 6-speed manual (Si); CVT (hybrid) Layout:front engine; FWD. Body: 4-door sedan; 2-door coupe.

Source;
http://www.autonet.ca/autos/search/usedmodels/2011/05/26/18196891-autonet.html

HONDA CIVIC STAYS ON TOP AS CANADA'S TOP-SELLING CAR (13th yr in a row!)

TORONTO, Jan. 5 /CNW/ - With sales of 57,501 units in 2010, Honda Civic retained its position as Canada's top-selling passenger car for the 13th consecutive year. Since 1973, nearly 1.6 million Honda Civics have been sold in Canada, making Civic a leader in the Canadian automotive landscape. An all-new, 9th-generation, 2012-model Civic will go on sale this spring.

"We thank the thousands of Canadians who bought Honda Civic models this past year to make it Canada's number one car for the 13th year in a row," said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president of Honda Canada Inc. "We appreciate and value these new car buyers' vote of confidence in Civic with its strong resale value, excellent fuel efficiency, top-of-class safety features and fun-to-drive character."

"With the exception of the Civic Hybrid, all Civic models sold in Canada are made here in Canada. We are proud of our investment in Canada as a leading vehicle manufacturer. In fact, nearly half of all the vehicles we sold in Canada in 2010 were built in Canada, including the Honda Civic and Acura MDX, ZDX and the Canadian-exclusive CSX."

Of the more than 5.3 million Honda and Acura vehicles that the Honda of Canada Mfg. assembly plants in Alliston, Ontario, have produced over the past 24 years, more than 3 million of those have been Honda Civic models.

Now in its 41st year of operation in Canada, Honda Canada builds the Honda Civic and Acura MDX, ZDX and CSX at its two plants in Alliston, Ontario, and produces fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engines for Civic production at its adjacent engine plant.

Source;
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2011/05/c8692.html