2001 Honda Civic Sedan

Of all the big, fancy, luxurious, performance-oriented vehicles that have graced my driveway in the last several weeks, what do you suppose was my ward for the one weekend I needed to travel? A Honda Civic sedan.
While it wouldn't have been my first choice for the road trip, it turned out to be a good choice. It gave me ample time to experience fully this brand-new version of America's best-selling small car five years running, not to mention save tons of money on gas. In keeping with Honda's recent trends, this Civic has grown from a sub-compact to a compact and refined its act in many ways. I had plenty of time to notice.

The Good News
What keeps Honda's cars on top is a refusal to rest on its laurels and an intelligent approach to change. The 2001 Civic demonstrates both amply.

A prime example is in the increase in size. While a roomier interior was obviously desirable, a larger exterior wasn't. Honda determined this by studying the garages of real Civic owners. Imagine that. So they gained the extra 2.3 cubic feet of Civic interior room by re-engineering, not inflating, the car. They also made entry/exit easier, the backseat accommodating for adults, the trunk more generous (it's huge) and the trunk opening wider for putting in strollers, etc.: Changes that address real people needs.

They also addressed a few wants, too, like an elegant (but typically conservative) exterior, a much richer sound system with CD standard and more power underfoot. In the case of the top-line EX model I drove, that's a 1.7-liter VTEC-E engine. The 127 horses are same as last year, but there are 7 more pound-feet of torque for better oomph. Increased horsepower (9 more over previous engine, to be exact) can be found in the DX and LX models.

This Civic clips along with great poise thusly powered, a feeling underscored by improvements in ride. Honda says this Civic has a much more rigid structure, which benefits not only ride and handling, but also noise and vibration. The result is a small car that comforts more like a large one.

Safety is also a priority here, with new dual seatbelt -pretensioners for front passengers, "advanced'' dual-stage air bag inflator, side airbags available on all models and a side airbag cutoff system that "will keep it from deploying if a child or small-statured adult is leaning into the deployment path," says Honda. There are also three-point seat belts at all three rear seating positions and a good system for attaching child seats.

The Bad News
My Civic EX was equipped with five-speed manual transmission, which would be my choice. But I had frequent trouble dropping it smoothly into reverse, and the clutch feels too long. Even after many days and miles, I couldn't get totally in sync.

My only other complaint isn't uniquely Civic, but it is a consideration if you drive highways a lot. I got into a nasty downpour on my trip and was quickly reminded why people love their minivans and sport utilities: ride height. I was totally swamped in this little low-to-the-ground Civic. The backsplash coming off other cars hampered visibility and passing trucks erased it entirely. I know my experience would have been the same or worse in a Porsche or Corvette. This is by no means a Honda indictment. But it is an important heads-up for travelers. This is not fun.

Gas Mileage
That said, one look at these figures makes you wonder how dearly you pay for that ride height. EPA rates the Civic EX at 32 mpg city/37 highway, an improvement over previous models. The 13-gallon tank seems bottomless.

Price
Manufacturer's base, $16,910;
Price as tested, $17,689

Is it worth it?
The EX model comes with remote locking, power sunroof, anti-lock brakes, that CD player I mentioned and larger 15-inch wheels and tires. It's a nice package.

A few weeks ago, I raved about the Mazda Protégé as being one of the most fun compact sedans to drive. By comparison, this Honda Civic EX comes off as the sensible older brother: a little more mature, great manners, all around good company. Not as much fun to hang out with, but dependable day in and day out.

It's no fluke that Honda has sold 10 million Civics since its introduction in 1973. This is an exceptional small car that just got a little bigger and noticeably better, changes that should keep its best-selling status secure in the foreseeable future.