Sunday, June 21, 2009

2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

. Sunday, June 21, 2009

2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Vehicle Overview

Introduction

The 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe shares its name with the Genesis sedan, but that's effectively where the sharing stops. Yes, the Coupe's uplevel 3.8-liter V6 is similar (though not identical) to the sedan's base engine, and yes, the cars roll on the same basic platform. Drive them back to back, though, and you'll think they might as well be from different planets. While the Coupe is laudably comfortable and refined, it has none of the sedan's plush, isolated character. It's a genuinely sporting car that can run with its benchmark, the Infiniti G37 coupe, in all respects save straight-line acceleration. If you're looking for a stylish coupe with serious performance, the Genesis Coupe is one of the best deals on the market.

The Genesis Coupe's 2.0T trim levels come with a 210-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Considering the car's affordable base price and the presumptive ease with which horsepower can be increased by aftermarket tuners, the 2.0T will likely be the trim of choice for young hot-rodders. Should you wish to keep your Genesis' warranty intact, the turbo-4 is adequate right out of the box, and the uplevel 3.8-liter V6 provides burly acceleration with an exhaust note to match. The only powertrain lowlight is the shifter/clutch tandem on manual-transmission models -- the shifter lacks precision, and neither it nor the clutch likes to be rushed.

There's very little wrong with the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe from a style or design perspective. The exterior sheet metal is handsome and sporty -- calling the coupe the best-looking Hyundai ever would be a perfectly reasonable statement. The cabin is particularly impressive, boasting an enveloping cockpit-like environment. The rear seat is useless for adults, but you can fit a couple kids back there in a pinch. We've often said that Hyundai's models are "nice for the price," but the Genesis Coupe is just a nice car, period.

Note that the Genesis Coupe does have a clear rival in the bang-for-the-buck category -- the new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, which offers a sophisticated 300-hp V6 at the Genesis Coupe 2.0T's price point, and a honking 422-hp V8 priced opposite the top-of-the-line Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track. One could also consider the retro-themed and enjoyable Ford Mustang GT a competitor for the 3.8 Track model. But no other coupe can match the Hyundai's combination of style, refinement and performance for the price. The BMW 128i comes the closest, but its polarizing exterior design hurts its case, and the Nissan 370Z is too single-minded in its sportiness to present a real challenge. We weren't sure we'd ever be saying this about a Hyundai performance car, but the Genesis Coupe is the real deal.


Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options




The 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is a performance coupe available in six trim levels: 2.0T, 2.0T Premium, 2.0T Track, 3.8, 3.8 Grand Touring and 3.8 Track. The base 2.0T comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, a tilt (but not telescoping) steering column, air-conditioning, full power accessories, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a trip computer,



Bluetooth and a CD/MP3 stereo with USB/iPod connectivity and steering-wheel-mounted controls. The 2.0T Premium adds a power driver seat, keyless ignition, an Infinity audio system, a sunroof and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The 2.0T Track piles on 19-inch alloy wheels with summer tires, Brembo brakes, a rear spoiler, a sport-tuned suspension, xenon headlights, foglamps, a limited-slip rear differential, red cloth seat inserts and aluminum pedals.


In addition to the 3.8-liter V6, the Genesis Coupe 3.8 comes with the base 2.0T's standard equipment plus foglights, chrome front fascia accents, metal door sill plates, automatic climate control and black leather upholstery. The 3.8 Grand Touring adds rear parking sensors, xenon headlights, foglights, heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals, keyless ignition, a sunroof, leather upholstery, heated front seats and the Infinity audio system. The 3.8 Track is equipped similarly to the Grand Touring and also gains the 2.0T Track's performance-related equipment.


Options are limited to carpeted floor mats and an iPod/USB cable.


Powertrains and Performance


The rear-wheel-drive Hyundai Genesis Coupe is powered by either a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (in 2.0T models) or a 3.8-liter V6 (in 3.8 models). The four generates 210 hp and 223 pound-feet of torque, while the V6 pumps out 306 hp and 266 lb-ft. A six-speed manual transmission is standard across the board, while a five-speed automatic is optional on the 2.0T and 2.0T Premium (the 2.0T track is manual-only), and a six-speed automatic is optional on all 3.8 models. Both automatics feature paddle shifters.

In performance testing, we recorded an impressive 5.9-second sprint from zero to 60 mph for the 3.8 Track model, We've also tested a 2.0T with the manual transmission, and that car accomplished the same task in 6.9 seconds, which is about average for a sport coupe in the low $20,000 price range.

EPA fuel economy estimates range from 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway for the manual-shift 2.0T to 17 mpg city/26 mpg highway for the manual-shift 3.8.


Safety

The 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe comes standard with stability control, antilock disc brakes with brake assist, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags.


Interior Design and Special Features


The Genesis Coupe's cabin boasts an alluring mix of eye-catching contours and generally high-quality materials, though the silver-painted plastic on the center stack is clichéd. The dash's swooping curves flow into the door panels, necessitating an unconventional sideways orientation for the power window and mirror switches.


The driving position is excellent, with abundant outward visibility despite the low-slung seating position; however, the lack of a telescoping steering wheel means that drivers with shorter legs may find the wheel uncomfortably close to their chests. Controls are generally intuitive, but navigating through the stereo's tonal adjustments is too labor-intensive. Despite being an upgrade, the Infinity audio system generates only mediocre sound.


The power seats that come standard on higher trim levels are superbly shaped for both enthusiastic driving and long-distance cruising. The rear seat, though, is strictly for kids and cargo. The 10-cubic-foot trunk is surprisingly useful, particularly with the rear seats folded down, but the folding procedure requires an awkward reach deep into the trunk.

Driving Impressions

On the road, the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track is virtually a dead ringer for its Infiniti G37 inspiration. Hyundai even aped Nissan/Infiniti's trademark baritone exhaust note for the V6. Body control in quick transitions is excellent, steering feel and responsiveness are all-time Hyundai bests, and the sophisticated ride quality won't beat you up over broken pavement. The 2.0T Track model combines these ride/handling characteristics with even better balance, thanks to its lighter-weight engine; on the downside, acceleration from the turbo-4 is merely adequate for this segment. Non-Track models feature a more compliant ride at the expense of all-out handling ability.

The biggest performance issue lies with the manual transmission. The shifter lacks the direct, positive feel one would hope for from a car of this caliber, and the high-strung clutch requires too much attention in aggressive driving.

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2009 Volkswagen Jetta

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2009 Volkswagen Jetta Vehicle Overview

Introduction

For decades now, the Volkswagen Jetta has existed in its own special niche. It may seem like an oxymoron, but this compact VW has made a name for itself by being an upscale economy car. Although roughly the same size as econoboxes from the United States and Japan, the Jetta has long exuded a sense of solidity and refinement in line with illustrious fellow Germans sporting fancier badges.

The latest-generation Volkswagen Jetta, which debuted four years ago, carries on this tradition. It's a little deficient in the "cool factor" that earlier Jettas had, but from an all-purpose standpoint, there's little to complain about. For 2009, the wagon body style -- cutely dubbed the Sportwagen -- returns to the Jetta lineup. Compared to the old boxy Jetta wagon, the new Sportwagen features a more tapered roof line, but retains an impressive amount of utility. In fact, this Jetta actually boasts significantly more cargo space than VW's new Tiguan compact SUV -- 18 more cubic feet with the seats up, 10 more with them folded.

Also notable this year is the new 2009 Jetta TDI. The popular diesel-fueled TDI trim level has been MIA the past few years due to new government emissions regulations, but implementation of "clean diesel" technology has allowed VW to bring back the TDI. The new model is 50-state-certified and returns an impressive 34 mpg combined on the EPA testing cycle. A significant boost in power makes this fuel-efficient model even more attractive, although the rising price of diesel doesn't help the TDI's value equation.

The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta may dwell in its own niche, but it competes indirectly against a wide variety of models. Lower trims may be cross-shopped with economy cars like the Mazda 3 or Saturn Astra, while higher trims can be compared with midsize sedans like the Honda Accord or Nissan Altima. The Sportwagen is worthy of strong consideration if you're contemplating a compact crossover, while the TDI makes for an interesting alternative to hybrids. On its own merits, any Jetta is a serviceable substitute for those who want a premium German sedan but don't have the bankroll needed to bring one home.


Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options


The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta is available in sedan and Sportwagen body styles. The sedan is available in S, SE, SEL, Wolfsburg Edition and TDI trim levels. The Sportwagen is available in S, SE, SEL and TDI trims.


The Jetta S comes standard with 16-inch steel wheels, heated mirrors and washer nozzles, air-conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry, a tilt/telescoping steering column, eight-way-adjustable front seats with power recline, heated front seats, velour upholstery, a 60/40-split rear seat and an eight-speaker stereo with single-CD player and auxiliary audio jack.


The Jetta SE adds 16-inch alloy wheels (optional on S), a rear seat armrest, a sunroof (sedan only, optional on S and TDI), leatherette vinyl upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob (sedan only) and a 10-speaker stereo with a six-CD changer and satellite radio.

On top of this, the Jetta SEL sedan adds 17-inch wheels, a multifunction steering wheel and a trip computer. Jetta Sportwagen SELs also have a sprightly turbocharged engine, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 12-way power driver seat with memory functions, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, Homelink and upgraded speakers.

The Jetta TDI sedan is equipped similar to the SEL sedan, but comes with 16-inch alloy wheels and doesn't have a sunroof. A special edition known as the TDI Loyal adds premium speakers. The Sportwagen TDI sedan is equipped similar to the SE Sportwagen, but it adds a trip computer.

The Jetta Wolfsburg Edition is basically an SE sedan with the aforementioned turbocharged engine, 17-inch wheels, no exterior chrome window trim and Wolfsburg badges.

Optional on all Jettas is an iPod interface and rear side airbags. A touchscreen navigation system is optional on all but the Jetta S, with a 30GB hard drive, digital music storage, SB memory card slot, USB port and DVD playback. A panoramic sunroof is a stand-alone option on the Sportwagen.


Powertrains and Performance


There are three engines available for the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. All S and SE trim levels, as well as the SEL sedan, are powered by a 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine rated at 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. The standard transmission is a five-speed manual, while a six-speed automatic with Tiptronic automanual capability is optional. In performance testing, a Jetta SE with the manual went from zero to 60 mph in 8.6 seconds. EPA fuel economy regardless of transmission is 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined. In California and California-emissions states, this engine earns a squeaky-clean PZEV tailpipe emissions rating.


The 2009 Wolfsburg Edition sedan and SEL Sportwagen get the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine found in VW's high-performance GLI sedan and GTI hatchback. It produces a zesty 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual is standard, while VW's slick dual-clutch DSG automatic transmission is optional. These two models should sprint from zero to 60 mph in the 7-second range, while fuel economy is roughly the same as with the base 2.5-liter mill. The manual yields 20 mpg city/29 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined, while opting for the DSG improves fuel economy by 2 mpg city and 1 mpg combined.

The Jetta TDI features a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine that utilizes VW's new clean diesel technology, making this car compliant with all 50 states' emissions requirements. This diesel produces 140 hp and a healthy 236 lb-ft of torque. The TDI shares the same six-speed manual and DSG transmission choices as the Wolfsburg. Fuel economy for the TDI with a manual is estimated to be 30 mpg city/41 mpg highway and 34 mpg combined, while the DSG lowers mileage by 1 mpg in each context.


Safety
Standard safety equipment includes antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. Rear side airbags are optional on all Jettas. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the Jetta sedan and Sportwagen four out of five stars for frontal collision protection, and a perfect five stars for side protection. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests, the Jetta sedan received the highest rating of "Good" for frontal offset and side crash protection.


Interior Design and Special Features




The Jetta's cabin is a strong selling point, with abundant high-grade, soft-touch materials and metallic trim. The vinyl "leatherette" upholstery found in most Jettas is finely stitched and does a good impression of real cowhide, with the added bonus of being easier to clean. Stereo and climate controls are straightforward and easy to use, and we're also fans of the cool blue lights used for the instruments and radio display. This year's new and improved navigation system now features an intuitive touchscreen interface and a 30GB hard drive that not only increases processing time but also devotes 20GB to digital music storage.


The Jetta's tall roof line lends a sense of spaciousness to the front seats, which boast a wide range of motion in order to accommodate drivers of various sizes. Headroom is a little tight in the rear, however. Nonetheless, there's an adequate amount of legroom in back, particularly compared to past Jettas, although even an economy sedan like the Toyota Corolla offers more.


The sedan's trunk capacity is very impressive at 16 cubic feet, while the Sportwagen is naturally even larger -- cargo volume for the latter is 32.8 cubic feet with the 60/40 rear seat up and 66.9 cubic feet with it down.

Driving Impressions

For most shoppers in this segment, a comfy ride matters more than simulating a track day on Main Street. By this measure, the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta is a fine companion in day-to-day driving. It swallows bumps and provides a relatively quiet cabin from which to endure the daily grind. If you do decide to drive aggressively, the Jetta's steering is nicely weighted and accurate, though body roll is significant in enthusiastic cornering. Should you want additional excitement, the sport-tuned Jetta GLI model may be more your speed.

With the TDI models, expect a little more vibration, a tad more noise and noticeably less high-end kick when trying to charge up that highway on-ramp from a stop. However, the diesel's prodigious low-end torque makes it feel downright muscular around town, as it pulls away from traffic lights with authority.

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Wednesday, June 17, 2009

2010 Mazda MAZDA3

. Wednesday, June 17, 2009

2010 Mazda MAZDA3 Vehicle Overview

Introduction

"Whatever you do, don't screw it up." Such is the prevailing sentiment whenever one ventures to follow up a successful first try, yet the second go-round often turns out to be a disappointment. The original Mazda 3 was a huge success in terms of sales and critical praise, and it only grew stronger as time wore on. As such, the redesigned 2010 Mazda 3 seemed like a prime candidate for sequel failure. Happily, though, the new 3 is a delight, more "Empire Strikes Back" than "Caddyshack 2."

The biggest fear for many was that the new model wouldn't be as fun to drive as its predecessor. Thankfully, that attribute is still firmly intact. The underlying platform is mostly unchanged, save for the added use of high-strength steel and a retuned version of the suspension, which combine to give the new 3 better body control without any additional ride harshness. The steering remains communicative and confidence-inspiring, while the amount of vibration transmitted to the driver's hands has been reduced. The result is a more polished version of what was already a highly refined and fun car.

The base 2.0-liter four-cylinder remains unchanged in terms of power, but fuel economy has improved thanks to a new five-speed automatic transmission. While not quite at the gas-sipping level of the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, the new 3 can no longer be slagged for relatively gluttonous fuel consumption. The bigger four-cylinder gets pumped up to 2.5 liters and a healthy 167 horsepower, and its fuel economy improves by 1 mpg on the highway. These are two of the peppiest power plants found in the economy sedan class.

The biggest changes are on the styling front, with an all-new exterior and interior covering the 3's virtually unchanged dimensions. The smiley front end has garnered mixed reactions, but at least there's a rational explanation for it -- Mazda designed it to maximize aerodynamics for increased gas mileage and decreased wind noise. The flared wheel arches are an obvious Mazda family cue, while the tail ends of both sedan and hatchback body styles are curvier evolutions of their predecessors. The interior is less controversial, with a more modern, eye-catching design and improved materials. Uninitiated passengers might even mistake the cabin of the Mazda 3 in fully loaded Grand Touring guise for that of an entry-level luxury sedan.

For those who find the 3's ride too firm or its interior controls too complicated, the Hyundai Elantra and Honda Civic are good alternatives. The Volkswagen Rabbit and Jetta could also be considered against the 3's trim levels. Nonetheless, the 2010 Mazda 3 remains our top choice in the economy sedan category thanks to its pleasing driving demeanor, strong powertrains, ample equipment, excellent quality and versatile body styles. Far from screwing it up, Mazda has made the new 3 a thoroughly satisfying sequel.


Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2010 Mazda 3 is available in four-door compact sedan and hatchback body styles.




The 3i model (sedan only) is offered in SV, Sport and Touring trim levels.




Standard equipment includes 16-inch steel wheels, a 60/40 fold-down rear seatback, height-adjustable driver seat, tilt-and-telescoping steering column, power windows and mirrors, and a four-speaker stereo with a CD player, an auxiliary audio jack and steering-wheel controls.


The 3i Sport adds air-conditioning, a temperature display and the option of an automatic transmission. The 3i Touring adds 16-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, power door locks, cruise control, Bluetooth phone and audio connection, and a six-speaker stereo.

The 3s Sport (available as sedan and hatchback) adds to the 3i Touring a bigger engine, different front and rear fascias, 17-inch alloy wheels, foglights, dual exhausts, rear lip spoiler, more aggressively bolstered front seats, upgraded upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, trip computer and electroluminescent gauges. The 3s Grand Touring adds automatic bi-xenon headlights with auto-leveling and corner swivel illumination, heated side mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, leather upholstery and an eight-way power driver seat with driver memory functions.

Optional on the 3i Touring and all 3s trims is the Moonroof & Bose package that adds a sunroof and a 10-speaker surround-sound system with an in-dash six-CD changer. The Tech package available on the 3s includes keyless ignition/entry, satellite radio and a navigation system with steering wheel controls and a small, high-mounted display screen. Satellite radio is also a dealer-installed option on any Mazda 3, as is an iPod interface.


Powertrains and Performance


The 2010 Mazda 3i comes with a 2.0-liter inline-4 that produces 148 hp and 135 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual is standard, while a five-speed automatic is optional on all but the 3i SV. Estimated fuel economy is 24 mpg city and 33 mpg highway with the automatic -- the manual improves by 1 mpg city. This is a few miles per gallon less on the highway than class leaders.


The Mazda 3s is powered by a 2.5-liter inline-4 good for 167 hp and 168 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual is standard here, with a five-speed automatic optional. In performance testing, a manual-equipped 3s went from zero to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds. Estimated fuel economy is 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway with the automatic (21 mpg city with the manual). Both fuel economy and acceleration are on par with similarly powerful small cars.


Safety

Standard safety equipment on the 2010 Mazda 3 includes antilock disc brakes with brake assist, active front head restraints, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. Stability and traction control are standard on all trims above 3i Touring, and not available on the 3i SV and 3i Sport. In testing, the 3s Grand Touring came to a stop from 60 mph in 127 feet -- a decent performance for this type of car.


Interior Design and Special Features




The 2010 Mazda 3 is a class leader in terms of interior design, quality and feature content. Most Mazda 3 sedans and hatchbacks won't be optioned-out Grand Touring models, but they'll still greet their owners with high-quality materials, comfortable seats, ample space and easy-to-reach controls. However, the stereo controls in particular aren't as simple as those in a Civic or Elantra. The optional navigation system features a relatively small display screen, but it's mounted high and costs much less than rival systems.

The Mazda 3 sedan is less spacious than its competitors, but only slightly so. The front seat offers a wide range of adjustment (especially with the optional power seats), and the tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel is a welcome feature. Taller drivers should note that the optional sunroof chews into front headroom considerably. The 3 hatchback would be our body style choice, since it offers all the sedan's high points while adding a greater level of practicality. Trunk space is 17 cubic feet with the hatch, but only 11.8 with the sedan.


Driving Impressions

The 2010 Mazda 3 has refined road manners that will likely come as a pleasant surprise to most economy car shoppers. Thanks to its performance-oriented chassis tuning, the 3 is blessed with minimal body roll and a healthy amount of grip on twisty blacktop, and the steering is quick and communicative. In the real world, this translates into a greater sense of driver confidence. The 3's highway ride is smooth enough to please most commuters, although drivers who prefer softly sprung compacts like the Toyota Corolla might think the 3 is too firm.

The beefed-up 2.5-liter engine in 3s models is the same one that powers the midsize Mazda 6. It's a wise choice for driving enthusiasts or those downsizing from a bigger, more powerful car. The smaller four-cylinder found in the 3i still isn't quite as fuel-efficient as those found in the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla, but it's a bit more powerful.

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Tuesday, June 16, 2009

2009 Honda Civic

. Tuesday, June 16, 2009


2009 Honda Civic Vehicle Overview

Introduction

To borrow a line from Yogi Berra, it's déjà vu all over again.

Back in the mid-1970s, fuel prices jumped during the first gas crisis of that decade. Honda was there with a neat solution: the Civic, which it had introduced to Americans just a couple years earlier. With its petite yet space-efficient dimensions, 40 mpg fuel economy and reliable nature, the Civic was a big hit for Honda. Compared to the heavy, sluggish American small cars of the time -- automotive luminaries such as the Vega, Pinto and Gremlin -- the much smaller Civic had a light, sporty feel, a lot more room for passengers and fuel economy ratings about 50 percent higher.

More than three decades later, fuel prices have increased again and savvy consumers are again flocking to Honda dealers in search of Civics. But the 2009 Honda Civic is a far cry from that vehicular roller skate of the disco era. The latest Civic is larger and much more luxurious than its puny ancestor. In fact, it's no longer Honda's smallest car; that would be the Fit. And there are now a wide range of Civics, from the give-sports-cars-the-bird-on-a-twisty-road Civic Si to the give-oil-companies-the-bird Civic Hybrid and natural-gas-powered Civic GX.


The current Civic generation bowed for 2006, and we're quite fond of it. Some styling elements are rather odd, such as the minivan-like windshield, snub nose and the dual-tiered instrument panel that combines digital and analog gauges. But the high build quality, sporty driving dynamics, rock-solid reputation for reliability and impressive fuel efficiency more than make up for a few aesthetic quirks. Some may even think of such quirkiness as a plus.

No matter which Civic you choose, this Honda's traditional strengths in comfort, overall quality and safety are all still firmly intact. Though we suggest doing a bit of comparison shopping -- the sporty Mazda 3, affordable Hyundai Elantra and Volkswagen Rabbit/Jetta are also very good choices -- the 2009 Honda Civic remains an ideal pick for a small sedan or coupe.


Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options





The 2009 Honda Civic is a small car available as a sedan or coupe. For both, there are five main trim levels: DX, LX, EX, EX-L and Si. On the Civic sedan, Honda also offers the DX Value Package, the LX-S, the Hybrid and the GX.






The DX is meant for those on a very tight budget and offers little more than 15-inch steel wheels, power windows, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel and a height-adjustable driver seat. At least with this year's new DX Value Package, you get air-conditioning and a four-speaker CD/MP3 audio system with an auxiliary audio jack.


The popular midgrade LX has the above features plus 16-inch wheels, full power accessories, keyless entry, a folding rear seat and cruise control. The LX-S adds alloy wheels, a chrome exhaust outlet, a rear spoiler and front sport seats.

Going with a Civic EX gets you 16-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, six-speaker audio (with steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and a USB input jack) and a 60/40-split rear seatback with a rear armrest.


The EX-L comes with leather upholstery and heated front seats. The sporting Civic Si has most of the EX's features plus a high-output engine, a sport-tuned suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels, foglights, a premium audio system, sport seats and special interior trim. High-performance summer tires are an option for the Si, and a navigation system with Bluetooth phone connectivity is offered for the Si and EX/EX-L models. Hybrid models are equipped similarly to the EX and have automatic climate control; they can also be equipped with the optional navigation system and leather/heated seats. The GX has a feature list similar to the LX's.


Powertrains and Performance


Civic DX, LX and EX models are powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 140 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque. That power is sent through the front wheels via a five-speed manual transmission or an optional five-speed automatic. With an automatic transmission, the Civic sedan goes from zero to 60 mph in a class-typical 9.6 seconds.


The GX also has a 1.8-liter engine, but it's fueled by clean-burning compressed natural gas and makes 113 hp. It only has a cruising range of 200 miles, but with Honda's Phill device, you can refuel from the comfort of your own garage. The GX is also America's cleanest mass-production car in terms of tailpipe emissions.

The 2009 Civic Hybrid uses a gasoline/electric hybrid powertrain to maximize fuel economy. Its 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine makes 110 hp and is paired to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). For the Civic Si, Honda installs a 197-hp 2.0-liter engine and an exclusive six-speed manual transmission with a performance-enhancing limited-slip front differential. The Civic Si goes from zero to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds.

Nearly all Civic models boast above-average fuel efficiency. Civics fitted with the standard 1.8-liter engine and the automatic transmission earn an EPA estimate of 25 mpg city/36 mpg highway and 29 mpg combined. The GX posts a similar 24/36/28 mpg, although its smaller "gas" tank results in a shorter range. The Hybrid tops the Civic lineup with fuel mileage of 40 mpg city/45 mpg highway and 42 mpg combined. Civic Si models have a 21/29/24 mpg estimate.

Safety

All Civics come with front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and active front head restraints. Antilock brakes are also standard; EX and Si models have four-wheel discs, while the rest have rear drums. Stability control comes on EX-L, Hybrid and Si trims but is unavailable on the others.

In government crash testing, the 2009 Honda Civic earned a perfect five stars for its protection of occupants in frontal impacts. Side-impact tests resulted in a four-star rating for front passenger protection and five stars for protection of rear passengers. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the Civic its top rating of "Good" for the car's performance in frontal-offset and side-impact tests.

Interior Design and Special Features


The Civic's dash features an unusual, polarizing layout. An analog tachometer is in the traditional location, but the digital speedometer and gas gauge are at the base of the windshield. Though some drivers find the two-tier display distracting, others say it makes quick visual checks of speed easier. Otherwise, its controls are well laid out and easy to operate, while materials are of high quality.


The Honda Civic continues to be one of the best small cars in terms of room, interior storage and refinement. Regular Civic sedans have 12 cubic feet of trunk space, but it drops to about 10 for the Hybrid and 6 for the GX due to the space taken up by the hardware of their respective powertrains.


Driving Impressions

The 2009 Honda Civic's suspension and steering work together seamlessly, giving the car a well-balanced, confident feel on city streets, back roads and highways alike. Even the mainstream models can be described as being somewhat sporty to drive. The Civic Hybrid and natural-gas GX are unfortunately quite slow, but neither model is meant for supreme acceleration anyway. That task is taken up by the Civic Si. Possessing nimble handling and a delightfully fizzy engine, the Si is one of the few cars available in any price range that makes you want to drive it just for the sake of driving.

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