The eighth-generation Honda Civic is a range of compact cars (C-segment) manufactured by Honda between 2005 and 2012, replacing the seventh-generation Civic. Four body styles were introduced throughout its production run, which are sedan, coupe, and both three-door and five-door hatchback. The sedan version was introduced with two distinct styling for different markets, with one of them sold as the Acura CSX in Canada and as the Ciimo 1.8 in China from 2012 until 2016. The hatchback versions formed the European-market Civic range, which received a different architecture, body design and smaller footprint, and solely produced in Swindon, United Kingdom.

The Type R performance model was introduced in 2007 for sedan and three-door hatchback body styles, with the former only sold in Japan and other limited Asian markets.

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Sedan/coupé (FA1–5, FD1–7, FG1–2; 2005)

The Civic sedan was sold worldwide, including in some countries in Europe it was sold alongside the European-market Civic hatchback. However, Honda introduced two different styling for different markets, with Asia-Pacific (except China), Africa, Europe and Russia received a version that is identical to Canadian-market Acura CSX. China and the rest of the Americas receive the North American-market Civic sedan, with limited availability of the coupe model in some countries.

It also features a redesigned dashboard incorporating a "two-tier" instrument panel. The upper panel is completely electronic and contains a digital speedometer in the center, with the coolant temperature and fuel displayed as linear segmented indicators on each side. The lower tier, slightly smaller than that of previous generations, has a backlit analog tachometer and the digital odometer and trip computer below it. The gear shift position indicators are to the right of the tachometer in automatic transmission and hybrid models, while the latter also features additional IMA Assist and Charge indicators to the left. Indicator lights are spread over both displays, whose brightness can be adjusted and saved independently (with the headlights on or off).

In the chassis, Honda introduces improvements in three key areas, which are enhanced suspension geometry with larger wheels and tires, a longer wheelbase, and a new generation 4-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS). To improve steering rigidity and reduce friction, the steering gear box was mounted lower. Significant changes to steering angles, bushings, material rigidity, and spring and shock tuning were claimed to result in a more linear suspension movement when cornering. The rear suspension was also reworked, with the multi-link double wishbone rear suspension benefits from a new design that facilitates more rebound stroke and improved positioning of the damper. The improved rebound stroke allows the vehicle to absorb harsh road surfaces better, while also enhancing overall stability.

North America

In the North American market, the sedan and coupe styles were available, and were designed in Japan and Ohio respectively. The sedan model was introduced in September 2005 for the 2006 model year. Both the sedan and coupe are introduced in several trim levels (DX/DX-A, VP/DX-G, LX, EX, EX with Navigation, and Si). The hybrid model only comes as a sedan, while the Si coupe was joined by a sedan in 2007, and the Si sedan entered the Canadian lineup in 2008.

The 2008 model year saw the addition of new interior features such as a 60/40 rear folding seat and remote trunk release for LX models (previously only available on EX models), while 2009 models had a mid-generation refresh most notable on the front grille. Additionally, the 2006 models acquired ULEV-2 (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle) certification and boast a more powerful 1.8-litre engine than the 2005 counterparts while retaining almost equal fuel economy. The Civic Si and Civic Hybrid feature a sport-oriented electric power steering, while regular use a speed sensitive hydraulic power steering system.

During the debut of Civic sedan and coupe concepts at the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, it was announced that more than 1.5 million units of the eighth-generation Civic have been sold since it first went on sale in late 2005. More than 95 percent of all Civics sold in the US as of calendar year 2010 were made in North America at manufacturing facilities in either Greensburg, Indiana or Alliston, Ontario in Canada. Production in East Liberty, Ohio ended early in 2009 to focus on production of Honda crossover models.

Trims and models The base DX model is equipped with LATCH, immobilizer theft-deterrent system, power windows, daytime running lights (DRL), 15-inch steel wheels with covers, driver's seat height adjustment, and other features. American DX models do not have a standard audio system, while the Canadian equivalent has a 160 watt 4-speaker AM/FM/MP3 stereo system with CD player. Air conditioning was optional, which is known as DX-A in Canada. The center armrest was also optional, as with the cruise control.

The VP (Value Package) model sold in the United States adds air conditioning and the 160-watt 4-speaker AM/FM/MP3 stereo system with CD player.

The DX-G model sold in Canada adds air conditioning, auxiliary input jack for portable audio players, power door locks, remote keyless entry and storage console armrest. In 2008, it added cruise control, lightweight alloy wheels (same as the ones on the Civic Hybrid), and a lip spoiler.

The LX model adds a 160 watt 4-speaker AM/FM/MP3 stereo system with CD player (for the US only, all Canadian DX and LX models already include that system), 16-inch steel wheels with covers (5-spoke alloy wheels in Canadian LX models), cruise control, MP3/audio jack, passenger-side walk-in with memory (coupe only), floor mats, and an anti-theft security system with remote entry (US models only). In 2008, the Canadian LX models added features including a lip spoiler, 60/40 rear folding seat, and remote trunk release.

The EX model adds a power moonroof, 4-wheel disc brakes, 16-inch alloy wheels, an additional 12-volt accessory outlet (for a total of two), a 350 watt stereo system with six speakers (coupe only, the sedan EX comes with a 160-watt stereo system), exterior temperature indicator, and a foldable rear arm rest with integrated cupholders (sedan only). This trim was sold in Canada only in the 2006 and 2007 model years, until it was replaced with the LX-SR and EX-L models in 2008.

For the first time on the Civic, a voice-activated navigation system was introduced with the EX with Navigation model.

The 2008 model year introduced the LX-SR (Sunroof) model positioned in between the LX and EX models for the Canadian market, which adds a power moonroof and 4-wheel disc brakes. This model year also introduces leather to the Civic for the first time with the EX-L and EX-L with Navigation models which also adds heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a center console.

All coupes come standard with a rear lip-spoiler, while EX models have round chrome finish on the exhaust pipe. Coupes are intended to be sportier than their sedan counterparts, they have a more aggressive suspension set up consisting of firmer spring rates and thicker anti-roll bars coupled with adjusted damping settings. Civic models with a moonroof have slightly less interior space due to reduced headroom.

The Honda Civic GX is designed to run on compressed natural gas (CNG). Due to the limitations of the CNG tanks, the 6-speaker stereo system is not installed. The GX also does not have a folding rear seat and has less cargo space.

Only a continuously variable transmission (CVT) was offered for the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid, which gains more power and a mileage boost to a United States Environmental Protection Agency estimated / (city/highway). It achieves an AT-PZEV emission rating. The 1.3 L L13A i-DSI engine (in Europe marketed as 1.4-litre engine) has been upgraded to achieve , instead of in earlier model. Accompanied by the electric motor with 15 kW (20 hp) which gives in total for the Hybrid vehicle. Top speed was rated at 186 km/h (116 mph), CO2 emission is 109 g/km and the mass of the car is —light for a car equipped with IMA electric motor and nickel–metal hybrid batteries (5.5 A·h, 158 V).

Both the Civic GX and Civic Hybrid have a similar trim level to the Civic LX, with some differences like lightweight alloy wheels, and external mirror lights.

Si The car comes with a 2.0-liter K20Z3 i-VTEC engine that produces and of torque, while including a 6-speed manual transmission with a helical limited-slip differential. 40% stiffer spring and dampening rates from the non-Si trims and stiffer sway bars have bolstered the Civic Si's handling, with the car achieving 0.90g (8.8 m/s2) of lateral acceleration on the skidpad. It was also the quickest Civic Si off the line, with a factory 0–60 time of 6.7 seconds according to Honda. Some new features include a sunroof, a seven-speaker 360-watt sound system, 17-inch alloy wheels with Michelin all-season tires, and keyless trunk access. Brazilian market Si's have a version of the K20 engine designated K20Z5.

In Canada, the Acura CSX Type-S was offered in 2007, borrowing the engine and drivetrain from the Civic Si but offering additional luxury options such as leather seating. The CSX features similar front and rear fascias to the JDM Civic, but with slight differences—the CSX has a crease running along the center of the hood and front bumper, whereas the JDM does not.

For the 2008 model year, the Civic Si received minor tweaks that include even darker wheels than the 2007 model and a new shift boot with red stitching. Mechanical changes included a new tire pressure monitor system, a new rear upper arm that decreases the amount of rear camber, and a lowered spring rate for the coupe to match the sedan. This was also the first year the Civic Si Sedan was available in Canada.

Civic Si sedan

Honda introduced the Civic Si sedan for North America in 2007; previously, only the Japanese market had been offered Si sedans. Debuted at the Chicago Auto Show, the Si sedan concept featured larger 18-inch alloy wheels than its coupe counterpart, along with 4-piston Brembo brakes, and large cross drilled brake rotors. The production version lacked such concept accoutrements, and the Si Sedan is mechanically almost identical to the coupe. Performance of the Si sedan is roughly equivalent to the Si coupe; the sedan's weight increase is offset by a slightly more balanced front/rear weight distribution (60/40 for the sedan versus 61/39 for the coupe).

Civic Mugen Si sedan The 2008 model year also brought into production the limited-edition 2008 Civic Mugen Si Sedan, which was announced at the 2007 SEMA Show. The Mugen sedan came only in Fiji Blue Pearl, and featured a higher-flowing cat-back exhaust, track-tested sport suspension, an exclusive Mugen grille, an exclusive shift knob, Mugen Si badges on the exterior and interior, Mugen forged GP wheels, and a Mugen body kit custom designed for the American trim. Production was limited to only 1000 units. Testing by Car and Driver magazine determined that the acceleration of the Mugen Si was roughly equivalent to that of the standard Civic Si coupe.

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