Honda Civic (seventh generation)

Honda Civic
Seventh generation
(EU/ES/EP/EM)

Manufacturer	Honda
Production	2000–2005
Model years	2001–2005
Assembly	Swindon, England Suzuka, Japan East Liberty, Ohio Alliston, Ontario, Canada Hsinchu, Taiwan (End 2002) Ayutthaya, Thailand Sumaré, Brasil
Predecessor	Honda Civic (sixth generation)
Successor	Honda Civic (eighth generation)
Class	Compact car
Body style	2-door coupe (EM) 3-door hatchback (EP) 4-door sedan (ES) 5-door hatchback (EU)
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Engine	1.5 L D15B I4 1.5 L D15Y2 I4 1.5 L D15Z6 I4 1.6 L D16W7 I4 1.7 L D17A1 I4 1.7 L D17A6 I4 1.7 L D17A2 I4 2.0 L K20A3 I4 2.0 L K20A I4
Transmission	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual 6-speed manual
Wheelbase	103.1 in (2,619 mm) (sedan/coupe) 101.6 in (2,581 mm) (3-door hatchback)
Length	174.7 in (4,437 mm) (2001-03 coupe) 174.6 in (4,435 mm) (2001-03 sedan) 168.4 in (4,277 mm) (3-door hatchback) 175.4 in (4,455 mm) (2004-05 sedan/coupe)
Width	67.7 in (1,720 mm)
Height	55.1 in (coupe) 56.7 in (1,440 mm) (sedan) 58.7 in (1,491 mm) (3-door hatchback)
Curb weight	2,744 lb (1,245 kg) (2-door hatchback) 2,405 lb (1,091 kg) (2-door coupe) 2,421 lb (1,098 kg) (4-door sedan)
Related	Honda Element Acura RSX Honda Integra Acura EL Honda CR-V Honda Stream

Main article: Honda Civic

The seventh generation of the Honda Civic was released in September 2000 as 2001 model. Compared to its predecessor, it retained similar exterior dimensions, but increased significantly in interior space thus bumping up Civic to a compact car size segment. There was a flat rear floor, giving better comfort to the rear seat passengers. This generation abandoned the front double wishbone suspension, which had been used in the fourth to sixth generations, replacing it with MacPherson strut.

A 115 hp (86 kW) engine powered all Civics (except EX and Si), up 9 hp (7 kW) from the previous model. Power in the EX remained at 127 hp (95 kW), and all non-Si engines were stroked to 1.7 liters.

2004-2005 Honda Civic LX coupe (US)

In 2003, the Civic was given new tail lights which created a circle when illuminated. For 2004, the Civic was given a facelifted front end with new headlights, bumper, and grille; it also received side skirts. In 2005 the U.S Honda introduced the Special Edition. It was available in LX or EX Special Edition.

2002 Honda Civic hatchback (UK)

2002–2003 Honda Civic Vi 5-door hatchback (Australia)

The hybrid version arrived at North America in spring 2002. It used both a small 1.3 L I4 main gasoline engine and auxiliary electric motors, producing a combined 93 hp. The electric motors are powered by a battery array which is charged by regenerative braking during deceleration, thus reducing exhaust emissions and extending fuel mileage to 46 mpg city / 51 mpg highway with the manual transmission according to EPA fuel mileage estimates.

2000–2002 Honda Civic GLi sedan (Australia)

The new Civic Si, a Sport Hatchback model with futuristic styling, was unveiled in August 2005 for the European market only. This model featured from launch a 1.4 L I-DSI and a 1.8 L i-VTEC rated at 83 PS (81 hp/61 kW) and 140 PS (138 hp/103 kW) respectively, with 177 and 207 km/h (110 and 129 mph) top speeds and 14.2 and 13.6 s 0-100 km/h sprint. The Sport Hatchback is also available with a 2.2 L I-CTDI diesel engine from the Accord, Edix/FR-V and CR-V, rated at 140 PS (138 hp/103 kW) and is capable of 205 km/h (127 mph) and accelerating from 0-60 mph in 8.4 seconds.

Trim levels

Coupe: Trims available in the coupe body style were the VP, DX (up to 2003), EX, HX, LX (EM2), LX Special Edition or EX Special Edition, and Si.

Hatchback: The Si (EP3), which is badged as the SiR in Canada. Unlike other generations of the Civic Si, this Si was not produced in Canada or the United States, and it does not share a body style or interior with the USDM Civic (offered only in sedan and coupé forms) sold there. Instead, the 2002-05 Civic Si is manufactured in Swindon, England, and exported to Canada and the United States. The Si is the only trim available for the hatchback style in Canada and the United States.

Sedan: Trims available in the sedan body style were the DX, EX, GX, LX, LX Special Edition, EX Special Edition, Hybrid (ES1/2, EN2, ES1, respectively), and Si. EX trim includes sunroof. The LX or EX Special Edition includes 6 disc changer and rear spoiler ABS, larger 15-inch wheels and a more powerful engine (see below) and also as always the EX Special Edition adds a sunroof and rear single cup holder. The Hybrid is the only trim available for the sedan style in Europe.

Different models were available for the Canadian market:

Up until 2003 there were DX and LX models for both sedan and coupe, with the coupe additionally having the Si trim.

In 2002, Honda Canada, in recognition of the one millionth sale of the Civic in Canada, introduced a limited edition version of the Civic called the Civic Coupe Si Veloz ('Veloz' meaning 'swift' in Spanish). The Veloz edition adds a front, rear, and side skirts, rear spoiler, carbon fiber trim pieces, chrome exhaust finisher, custom Veloz embroidered floor mats and Veloz badges.

In 2003, 30th Anniversary Edition was added to all models, as well as a Sport model for sedans.

In 2004, the DX model was replaced by a Special Edition (SE) model and the previous Sport model was replaced by a LX-g trim. Also, the Si trim was added for the sedan, giving it an engine used by the Si coupe, new wheels, new seats and interior carbon fiber trim pieces.

Engines

Most DX and LX models had the D17A1. The HX had the D17A6 and the EX had the D17A2. The Si(EP3) had the K20A3. The JDM 5-door hatchback (EU) had the D15B. The GX runs on CNG. The Philippine and Middle East version of the 7th generation Honda Civic used the 3-stage VTEC mechanism for their VTi/VTi-S/RS Civics, equipped with a D16W9 rated with 130 hp (97 kW). So, Japan RS model is D17A. Factbook.

In Europe the Civic was sold also with a common-rail diesel engine produced by Isuzu Motors Polska. This engine is a 1.7L 4EE2 Circle L with 100 hp (75 kW).

U.S. sales

In 2004, Honda Civic was the seventh best selling vehicle overall and third best selling passenger car in the U.S.

Award and recognition

• 2001 recognized by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy: the natural gas powered Civic GX tied for the top spot with Honda's hybrid vehicle Insight; the Civic HX took the best vehicle in class award
• 2002 recognized by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy amongst the top ten Greenest Vehicles: the natural gas powered Civic GX tied for the second best score with an electric vehicle; the Civic HX coupe took the fourth place and the rest Civic models took the seventh place

2010 recall

On August 9, 2010, Honda recalled approximately 117,000 Civic of 2003 model year sold in the U.S. and Canada regarding possible problem with the ignition interlock system due to damage or worn during use, allowing the ignition key to be removed when the auto transmission of the car is not shifted to 'Park' position.