2005 Honda Civic Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Whether you seek a dependable daily driver, a fuel-efficient hybrid, or a sporty hot hatch, the Honda Civic's 2005 lineup has the right scratch for what’s making you itch.
Honda reinvented the compact car when it introduced the first Civic more than 30 years ago. Today, the 2005 Honda Civic serves as a segment benchmark in many respects, even if this is the final year before a completely redesigned version arrives.
The most popular Civic is the four-door sedan, available in Canada in DX, SE, LX-G, and Si trim. A two-door coupe adds a sporty look and comes in DX, SE, LX, and Reverb, and there's also a three-door hatchback body style for the racy Si-G trim. And if you want a hybrid, this type of powertrain is offered in sedan format. (The natural-gas-powered version of the Civic sold in the US was not made available in Canada.)
Compared to previous versions of the Civic, this seventh-generation model lacks imagination, inside and out. Equipped with conservative, creased-and-folded bodywork, the Civic sedan and coupe are nap-inducing to behold, while the Europe-sourced Civic Si hatchback looks like a doorstop on wheels.
Inside, the Civic Si is funky, giving the car some much-needed personality. White-faced gauges, a manual gear shifter jutting out of the dashboard, sport-bolstered seating, and a handy shelf embedded into the dash in front of the passenger’s seat add unique twists.
Comparatively, the cabins of the sedan and coupe are plain and simple, rendered mainly in hard plastic like other cars in the segment but exhibiting high build quality. All Civics have clear and legible instrumentation, unusual stacked climate controls, and a small, cluttered stereo interface located over an odd tray embedded in the dashboard.
Honda offers multiple engines in the 2005 Civic. Most of them come with a 1.7-litre four-cylinder engine paired to a five-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic transmission sending power to a front-wheel drive (FWD) drivetrain. It makes power specs of 115 horsepower unless you choose Si or Si-G trim, in which it whips up 127 hp. (The Honda Civic Si sold in the US, with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder VTEC engine cranking out 160 hp, was badged as SiR in Canada and not offered for sale in 2005.)
Let’s not forget the Civic Hybrid sedan, which marries a 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine with an electric assist motor and a CVT. It makes a total of 93 hp, but thanks to instantaneous electric motor torque, acceleration is decent.
Driving impressions vary depending on the version of the Civic. The popular 1.7-litre and four-speed automatic combination supply adequate power, but if you can drive a stick, Honda’s silky smooth gearbox is a pleasure to use. Hybrids are frugal instead of fast.
All 2005 Civics have front disc and rear drum brakes, and Honda uses a MacPherson strut front and double-wishbone rear suspension design. Most versions of the car feel a little soft rather than crisp, with occasional rear bounciness in the ride quality.
Technically, the Civic seats five people, but four will be happier. Storage spaces inside the covered bin forward of the gear selector, in the glove compartment, and in the door panel bins are decently sized, and don’t forget about the tray under the stereo.
When it comes to cargo, Civic coupes and sedans each boast a roomy 365-litre trunk, while the Hybrid accommodates 286 litres to make room for the battery pack.
Nearly every 2005 Honda Civic includes a CD player. None of them offers new Bluetooth cell phone pairing for hands-free calling capability.
Buy a Civic DX sedan, and there’s nothing “deluxe” about it. You don’t even get a CD player. Or air conditioning. Those features are included in higher trims along with power windows, power door locks, power heated side mirrors, cruise control, and a remote keyless entry system.
The Honda Civic LX-G looks better thanks to aluminum alloy wheels, and it also has a power sunroof. Hybrids are similar in terms of equipment.
Otherwise, in terms of technology, the Honda Civic Hybrid showcases an eco-friendly powertrain. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) used in this Civic is also good for fuel economy.
Aside from the underlying vehicle structure, the 2005 Civic’s primary safety system is a set of dual front airbags. Side-impact airbags are an option, and they improve safety. Antilock brakes are available on upper trims.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2005 Civic sedan earns a Good rating in the moderate front overlap test and a Poor rating for the seats and head restraints. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) assigns four-star and five-star ratings across the board, with the exception of the Civic coupe without side airbags, which gets a three-star rating for front-seat protection.
Known for reliability and resale value, a Civic in good condition is a good bet in terms of value even if it tends to be a little more expensive as a new car than some competitors, such as the Toyota Corolla or Hyundai Elantra. In particular, if you don’t mind the reduced performance and the higher price, the Civic Hybrid’s thrifty nature could prove mighty beneficial over the long haul.
Note: Images show a US model.
