Thom Blackett’s 2006 Honda Civic Driving Impressions:
Hype, and lots of it. Before I had a chance to put it through its paces for myself, a few of my cohorts returned to the office, fresh from what they described as a thoroughly impressive jaunt in the 2006 Honda Civic sedan. These are “car” guys, and for them to be so enamored with this vehicle, an EX model with an automatic, said a lot.

What were they smoking? Admittedly, the new Civic, with its 140-horsepower four banger, offers more in the name of performance than its predecessor, and yes, this not-so-little-anymore Honda provides a comfortable and predictable ride, be it around town or on the open road. And who can complain about an average fuel economy rating of 33.2 mpg? Few outside of the hybrid arena, that’s who.

Impressive as these points are, there are an equal number of quibbles that dull the Civic’s finish, if only a bit. That 1.8-liter engine provides adequate power for most situations, but punching the throttle for sudden highway moves can leave the driver wanting, especially given the five-speed automatic transmission’s sometimes lazy response to input. Equally confused was the steering, which gained heft at higher speeds on the highway, but not at the same speeds on sweeping corners. There’s really nothing like being in the middle of twisty only to find that the car can’t quite decide if it’s time to tighten the buckle or loosen the straps.

But, to be fair, this is the EX sedan, not the Si coupe, and as such, stellar handling and a gutsy engine are not required. As a commuter car or everyday runabout, the 2006 Honda Civic provides all a driver needs, and won’t break the bank in the process.

Brian Chee’s 2006 Honda Civic Driving Impressions:
There’s not much flair. And, depending on the transmission you choose, there’s not much fun. But there’s a load of function, and maybe that’s what you should expect out of a car that goes for less than $20,000. If so, the 2006 Honda Civic delivers nicely, gets you from home to work and back, and accomplishes all the other tasks required of a commuter car. Point in fact, the Civic is a really, really easy car to drive – just get in and go, and your transport will be smooth and uneventful. And that is exactly what the Civic EX sedan is for – not for pitching up and down mountain roads or running autocross courses.

If you want fun, buy the Si model. If you want to feel as though you’re alive, get the five-speed manual and stay away from the five-speed automatic transmission. Matched up to a vastly improved 140-horsepower engine, the automatic steamrollers whatever fun lives inside the engine, which is too bad, because Honda’s new motor is more powerful than the previous version. It’s also a shame because the Civic is quite buttoned down when it comes to ride and handling. The Civic handles corners pretty tightly, keeps its poise under hard braking or sudden movement, provides adequate feedback, and offers a decent driving product for the sub-$20,000 market. With the Civic, you get to feel more road in the right places – such as the steering wheel – better visibility and a super-efficient engine. That’s the stuff you want – what you can do without is a transmission that seems to smother the engine and too much wind and noise road on the freeway. Even for an economy car, conversations from back to front seat should not begin with …what?

Ron Perry’s 2006 Honda Civic Driving Impressions:
For a car that has received so many prestigious awards since its introduction, I was really disappointed with my drive of the Honda Civic. Maybe my displeasure came from the fact that our Civic was an automatic and not a manual. Granted, most buyers buy the automatic but after driving the Civic I can’t imagine why. The Civic lacks power below 4,000 rpm. On a few occasions while navigating traffic, I mashed the pedal to the floor to pass or make a lane change, and was met with a good second-long delay before the kickdown occurred. I also felt the steering response was too quick, and frequently found myself over-correcting in normal driving. Brakes work great and relay enough information to make any stop comfortable. The ride is firm but not to the point of being irritating. Is the new Civic that great of a car, or did it receive so many awards because it was the newest model in an aging category? I don’t feel as though this new car is that much better than my once treasured 1987 Civic Si hatchback.

Christian Wardlaw’s 2006 Honda Civic Driving Impressions:
Hundreds of thousands of people will buy the redesigned Honda Civic for no other reason than it has proven dependable over three decades of service to Americans as a transportation appliance. But a treat awaits those who choose this stunningly good little car. The 2006 Honda Civic is genuine fun to drive, even with an automatic transmission, endowed with responsive steering, beautiful brakes, sticky Bridgestone Turanza tires, and a magical suspension.

Around town, the Civic is firm yet compliant. It is communicative, but in whispers about what’s happening under the tires rather than vociferous exclamations. You get just enough from the road surface to remain informed, but not so much as to feel pummeled. Take the Civic onto a favorite backroad, and it will play nice if not aggressively. Handling is entertaining and predictable, the Bridgestones emitting nary a squeal as you pitch the car from turn to turn. Steering is well-weighted and linear, but gets light in sweeping turns unless you pay attention at the tiller. Given the Civic’s outstanding performance on my twisty road loop, this is a minor issue – especially for a car that doesn’t bill itself as sport sedan.

The 140-horsepower is spunky in around-town driving, can cruise capably at 80 mph on the freeway, but lacks passing power. The transmission is a grade-logic unit, assisting on downhill sections of road with added engine braking and holding gears for hill climbing. The only issue I had was with the selector itself. It’s easy to slide right past “D” and land in “D3.”