Car of the Year for 2004: The Honda Civic Hybrid
When you think of the “Honda Civic” what will usually come to mind for Honda enthusiasts is quality, stability and lots of history. The Civic has been one of the premier vehicles of the Honda line for over ten years. It is an important car and the 2004 model is no exception. The Honda Civic falls into the sedan for the family category.
2004 Honda Civic Hybrid Specs
The restyled Civic Hybrid is equipped with a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine that utilizes 8 valves. The VTEC engine is mated to a Honda four-speed transaxle. This has resulted in an increase in horsepower and torque over the 2003 version.
The Civic uses power-assisted brakes, with 4-Wheel ABS support. The front brakes are disc while the rear brakes are drum. Steering is handled through a power-steering rack-style configuration. The car uses coil and coil springs front and rear respectively.
The fuel system for the 2004 Civic is a PGM-FI design, using ELECTRIC/GAS fuel. The fuel flow is controlled by a electronic system and is a fuel-injected MFI design. The fuel capacity of the fuel tank is 13.20 gallons.
Statistics
103.10 of wheelbase allows for extra leg room for the rear passengers. It sits 55.10 inches off the ground. It seats a standard five passengers, with 4 doors. The dimensions of the Civic Hybrid are 174.70 inches long by 66.70 inches wide.
The standard warranty period for the Civic is 36 months, or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. This is standard in the sedan market.
Pricing is a vital consideration when shopping for a car. The Honda Civic lists at $13,410 when new. The dealer cost on the car was $12,263. This price was average compared to the industry average price for a 4-door sedan.
MPG Ratings
The 2004 Civic gets 38 miles/gallon on the highway and only 32 in the city. This is below average for a sedan car.
In 2003 and 2004 the Civic Hybrid was availble in the exterior colors of Fiji Blue Pearl, Nighthawk Black Pearl, Rallye Red, Satin Silver Metallic, and Taffeta White.
Parting Shots
There are several reasons why the Honda Civic Hybrid sold well in 2004. Mainly the increase in availability and a marked improvement in quality meant the buying public was more apt to choose a Honda, specifically a Civic.
Hondas are my favorite