The new Civic looks bigger and more substantial, as well it should. The Coupe (from$11,900) and Sedan (from $12,280) models are two inches longer and three inches taller than before. The Hatchback (from $9980) has sprouted even more, adding four inches in length and almost four inches in height. It remains the pipsqueak of the family, however, with a body 10.6 in. shorter than the other two models, though it rides on the same wheelbase. A new look of substance goes along with the Civic's larger dimensions. Previously, the front end consisted of a pair of small headlights connected by the hood closure line. A tidy grille and bright, reflector-style headlights now dress up the nose, giving the Sedan in particular the look of a junior Accord. The new Coupe looks slightly less sporty, perhaps because of the greater height. The Hatchback, which was designed in Honda's European studio, is the most changed. Its egg-like delicacy has given way to more aggressive lines that sweep back to a steeply raked, one-piece hatch. The trunk capacity for the Sedan and Coupe is 11.9 cu. ft., just about 1 cu. ft. less than the Accord's. With a low liftover height and split-folding rear seats that open to the trunk, the Civic Sedan and Coupe are flexible cargo-carriers. The Hatchback is even roomier: 13.4 cu. ft. of cargo space with the seats up. We drove several Civics, including a HX Coupe equipped with the new Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), which adds about $900. Our report, price info and the data panel focus on the flagship EX Sedan.
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