2009 Honda Civic LX 1.8 from North America

Summary:

Not as good as reviews suggest

Faults:

Only 200 miles, nothing wrong so far other than rough idle.

General Comments:

Very good interior space.

Not so good:

Very jumpy ride and lot of road noise. May be the tires are the problem?

My wife and daughter decided to go out and lease this vehicle, then decided then did not want it! I ended up with the vehicle... but am still objective as the vehicle had such good reviews.

My current vehicle is a Toyota Camry (Nov. 1996 model). Even this 13 year old vehicle is far superior, quieter engine (also 4 cylinder like the Honda), much better ride quality.

Overall, the Civic is a big disappointment as one reads such good things about it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 4th July, 2009

11th Jul 2009, 22:58

I disagree completely with the exact opposite feeling--

I had a '95 Toyota Camry, and it was nothing but trouble.

I had to trade it in way before it's time because the engine was shot.

On the other hand, every Honda I've ever owned is extremely reliable, attractive, comfortable, and worth the money.

The '09 Civic LX I own is fantastic -- great value; low emissions.

View 20 more comments

2009 Honda Civic DX-A 1.8 VTec from North America

Summary:

Well Done Honda!

Faults:

Absolutely nothing. But then again, with only 3,500 KM's nothing should go wrong.

General Comments:

To start off I want to point out that I have not had this car long enough to make an opinion on the reliability. With only having it for 3 months and 3500 km's nothing should go wrong.

The impressions I have so far of this car is Honda has done one very good job. This car is seriously quick, comfortable and the digital dashboard is a nice added touch :). The handling is superb, transmission shifts nicely and driving at speeds upwards of 130 km/hr on the highway (about 85 mph) is very smooth.

My previous car was a 2005 Civic and I noticed some striking differences. First and foremost is the body shape. The 2005 looked like what it was, an econobox. This new Civic looks like a sportscar. The engine power is strikingly different as well. My 2005 had a 1.7 litre 115 horsepower engine that was rather gutless. This new Civic has the 1.8 Litre V-Tech, which makes 140 horsepower, and can you ever tell the difference. In terms of gas mileage the 2009 Civic also tends to get better mileage than my 2005 one did, but it is a very small increase.

All in all I have to say so far so good. Honda has nailed it once again. In a few months time I will provide another update as to how the car's reliability is.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st May, 2009

3rd Jul 2009, 18:05

Your 2005 model must have been miserable. I have a 1.8 VTEC and it is lame; there is no torque, I have been on faster push bikes.

11th Jul 2009, 23:14

I agree -- Honda is always very reliable.

30th Nov 2009, 11:40

Hello. I am the original poster with an update. Just broke 9500 km's and still nothing has gone wrong. The gas mileage seems to be getting better though as I have broken in the engine. I will report back again in a few months once I have more mileage on it.

18th Mar 2010, 11:49

Hello. It's me the original reviewer again. Have now had the car 1 year and a little over 12,000 km's (I don't drive too much at all). Still no problems to report at all, and the car seems to be getting a little better gas mileage as the engine is getting more broken in. Hopefully things remain like this, and I get no major headaches from the car for at least 3 more years.

4th Aug 2010, 11:38

I am the original reviewer.

Well up to 16,000 kms now and still nothing. I just took a trip to Ottawa and back. About 500 kms each way or roughly 300 miles. I used up 5/8ths of a tank each way. Have to say the gas mileage is getting impressive.

15th Dec 2010, 13:09

Original reviewer here again. Now up to a about 19,500 kms. Still nothing has gone wrong. It could handle a little better in the snow, but it is not exactly a big and heavy car.

Overall I am very pleased with it and hope to see many more years of trouble free driving with it.