2008 Honda Civic EX

The 2007 Honda Civic LX was dubbed the winner of our last small-car comparison in the July 2007 issue of Motor Trend. So we decided to take out a 2008 Civic EX to see how the Honda did during another round of testing and editor evaluations.

Senior editor Ed Loh: "I was surprised by some rather nasty handling traits," that the Civic exhibited. "The entire rear end would cant left and right under hard cornering," notes Loh, "and when I adjusted mid-turn, it seemed to bring the rear around a bit; then correcting again sent if off course."

Other editors were let down by the handling, too -- "When cornering, a little steering input went a long way -- that took some getting used to," notes associate editor Allyson Harwood -- but not one editor could dismiss the fact that our 2006 Motor Trend Car of the Year was still meeting its mission objectives, and quite beautifully. "This car seems to have a level of refinement among the others [in its class] - it's a step up," claims senior photographer Brian Vance. Harwood finds the Civic's storage solutions impressive, while editor-at-large Arthur St. Antoine notes of the Honda's mileage, "You can believe the Civic's mpg advantage would draw me to it."

Certainly, the Honda, powered by a 1.8-liter four, promised superior fuel economy -- 25 city/36 hwy -- and, naturally, delivered, posting a 25 mpg observed. But EPA friendliness aside, the Civic's meager 140 horsepower hampered it. Despite its relatively svelte 2786-pound curb weight, the Civic nevertheless has a paltry weight-to-power ratio, consumed 0-to-60 in 9.4 seconds and the quarter mile in 17.1 at 81.4 mph (the 2007 LX we tested was two ticks slower for each). With numbers like that, the Honda failed to impress us as energetic. "How would it perform with four adults and luggage aboard?" wonders St. Antoine. Further, the Civic lacks a true manual mode -- just Drive, D3, 2, and 1 -- making it impossible to lock in fourth gear and difficult to easily exploit the power.

It might not move a full load with vigor, but it would at least astound those aboard with its ultramodern design, attention to detail, and surprising vastness. With its two-tier instrument display, highlighted by a top-shelf digital speedometer, clearly presented center stack, ample storage, supportive seats, and standard moonroof, the Civic presents a welcoming, airy cabin that's best suited to stand the test of time.

To be sure, the Civic is a solid choice and worthy of any shopper's short list.