Honda Civic (sixth generation)
The sixth generation Honda Civic was introduced in 1995 with 3-door hatchback, 4-door sedan and 2-door coupe body styles, replicating its predecessor's lineup. A 5-door hatchback was also produced to replace the Honda Concerto hatchback in Europe but this model, while using the same design language as the rest of the Civic range, was quite distinct, instead being a hatchback version of the Honda Domani, sharing that car's platform which was related to the fifth-generation Civic. The Domani replaced the sedan version of the Concerto in Japan while the sedan version of the Concerto was directly replaced by the sixth generation Civic sedan in other markets. Two wagons were also made available; the JDM Orthia, based on the Civic sedan/3-door hatchback line, and a 5-door hatchback/Domani-based model, sold as the [|Civic Aerodeck], in Europe. Neither were offered in North America. The Civic 5-door hatchback also formed the basis for the 1995 Rover 400 although the 4-door sedan version of the Rover was quite distinct from the Domani.
At its introduction in 1995, it won the Car of the Year Japan Award for the third time.
Trim packages and equipment (North America)
Hatchback: Trims available in the hatchback body style were the EJ6, EJ9, EK1, EK2, EK3, EK4, EK6, EK7 and the EK9.Sedan: Trims available in the sedan body style were the EJ6, EJ8, EJ9, EK1, EK2, EK3, EK4, EK5, EK8 and EN1.
CX: The base trim package, available as a hatchback only. Appointed very sparingly, it came equipped with 13-inch wheels, 4-wheel double wishbone suspension, dual airbags, split/folding rear seat, and seating for five people. In 1997, the CX added 14-inch wheels as standard equipment. In 2000, the CX added tilt steering as standard equipment.
DX: Available as a hatchback, coupé, or sedan. It included all standard equipment from CX plus tilt steering and AM/FM radio. Power steering was standard on all sedans, and on the coupes when ordered with automatic transmission. For 1997, the DX added 14-inch wheels as standard equipment.
LX: Available as a four-door only. It included all standard equipment from DX plus 14-inch wheels, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, power steering, front stabilizer bar, front center armrest with storage compartment, cargo area light, cruise control, and tachometer. For 1997, the LX added air conditioning as standard equipment.
EX: Available as a coupé or sedan. It included all standard equipment from LX plus a higher-horsepower SOHC VTEC engine, power sunroof, air conditioning, remote entry system, plus body-colored side mirrors and side molding. ABS was standard on sedan only and optional on the coupe if equipped with an automatic transmission. For 1999, the EX added a CD player as standard equipment.
HX: Available as coupé only, this trim package was specially tooled for higher fuel efficiency. It was the only trim available with a CVT, though customers could also choose a 5-speed manual transmission. It included all standard equipment from DX, plus a slightly higher horsepower VTEC-E engine, alloy wheels, power windows, power locks, power steering, and tachometer.
GX: Introduced in 1997 and available as a sedan for fleet-purchase only, this trim package was specially designed to run on natural gas. See Honda Civic GX for detail and references.
VP: Introduced in 1998 and available as a sedan only, this trim was designed as a “Value Package” above the DX. It included all standard equipment from DX plus automatic transmission, power locks, CD player, air conditioning, keyless entry, and special paint.
Most trim packages had a standard AM/FM radio in the center dashboard with a backlit LCD display, but a slave cassette player or CD player was available through dealer-installed options and was installed in the forward portion of the console and was hidden from view when the cup holder was open. EX trims had the slave cassette player standard. Dealers also offered AM/FM cassette and AM/FM CD decks to replace the stock radio. All vehicles were equipped with four speakers, radio wiring, and an antenna regardless of whether or not they had a radio.
Si
After a brief hiatus, the Civic Si reappeared in 1999, available as a coupé only. With the adoption of the VTi badge in Europe and the SiR and Type R badges in Japan for the sports variants of Civics, the Si became primarily a US-specific badge, a branding trend that would continue in subsequent Civic generations. Accelerating from 0-60 mph in 7.1 seconds, the 1999 Civic Si trim package featured a 1.6-litre B16A2 engine that made at 8,000 rpm and 111 ft-lbs of torque at 7,000 rpm. While similar to the powerplant in the Del Sol VTEC, the Civic Si saw some notable differences, which include a larger throttle body, improved intake manifold, strengthened connecting rods, low-friction/high-silicon pistons, a fully counterweighted crankshaft, and an exhaust system with larger-diameter piping. Due to its good fuel economy, and a more popular coupe form, the trim package garnered a dedicated following in spite of its short production cycle.In Canada, the Acura EL doesn’t use the Type-S trim.
Changes from the standard Civic included stiffer, progressive-rate springs, stiffer front and rear anti-roll bars, and a tower brace, which contributed to a flatter-cornering ride. It was available with a five-speed manual transmission only, the exhaust was upgraded to a 2 1/4 inch to reduce back pressure, standard equipment also including disc brakes all around. Aesthetic exterior changes from the LX/EX trims were minimal, with the Si trim package featuring a lower-profile and wider 15-inch wheel/tire package, a subtle chin-spoiler, painted side sills, and Si badging. There are power locks, power windows, a CD player, cruise control, air conditioning, power sunroof, and tilt steering. For the interior, the sixth generation Si also had tilt adjustment for the bottom cushion, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote keyless entry, and red-faced instrumentation with Si branding.
Paint colors
Colors available in the US were as follows:1996: Cyclone Blue Metallic, Cypress Green Pearl, Midori Green Pearl, Granada Black Pearl, Frost White, New Vogue Silver Metallic, Milano Red, Island Coral Pearl and Roma Red.
1997: Cyclone Blue Metallic, Cypress Green Pearl, Granada Black Pearl Frost White, New Vogue Silver Metallic, Dark Amethyst Pearl, Milano Red, Inza Red Pearl and Roma Red.
1998: Cyclone Blue Metallic, Cypress Green Pearl, Taffeta White, New Vogue Silver Metallic, Flamenco Black Pearl, Dark Amethyst Pearl, Milano Red and Roma Red.
1999: Electron Blue Pearl, Iced Teal Pearl, Clover Green Pearl, Taffeta White, New Vogue Silver Metallic, Flamenco Black Pearl, Dark Amethyst Pearl, Milano Red and Roma Red.
2000: Electron Blue Pearl, Iced Teal Pearl, Clover Green Pearl, Taffeta White, New Vogue Silver Metallic, Flamenco Black Pearl, Milano Red, Roma Red, Vintage Plum Pearl and Titanium Metallic.
Facelift
In 1998, for the 1999 model year, the Civic had some updates for both the interior and exterior. These redesigns could vary according to the country of origin for the car. For example, in some European countries there was no redesign to the climate control area or to the rear of the sedan models.The updated cars received a facelift which included a new grille, new headlights, new front bumper, fenders and hood and redesigned taillights. The coupe and sedans models also received a slight redesign to the bottom of the rear bumper. On the pre-facelift sedans, the stop lights were on top of the reverse and turn lights; for the facelift version, the reverse and turn lights were on top of the stop lights. For the coupe and hatchback the layouts remained as before; however, the rear turn signal lenses became clear/white instead of amber to match the reverse lights.
Inside, the center console had a makeover. The sliding air system controls were replaced by rotary ones, which freed up space to accommodate an enlarged radio, which included the cassette player or Compact Disc player. Previously, the large size of the ventilation controls reduced the size of the radio, necessitating a slave cassette player or Compact Disc player at the bottom of the console.
Engines
United States Domestic Market (USDM)
The CX, DX, VP and LX trim packages used the SOHC 16v D16Y7 engine. It produced at 6,200 RPM and of torque at 4,600 RPM, with a compression ratio of 9.6:1. Fuel injection was multi-point.The HX trim had the SOHC 16v D16Y5 lean-burn engine with VTEC-E. It produced at 6,300 RPM and of torque at 5,400 RPM, with a compression ratio of 9.4:1. Fuel injection was multi-point.
The EX trim had the SOHC 16v D16Y8 engine with VTEC. It produced at 6,600 RPM and of torque at 5,500 RPM, with a compression ratio of 9.6:1. Fuel injection was multi-point.
The Si trim used the DOHC 16v B16A2 engine with VTEC. It produced at 7,600 RPM and of torque at 7,000 RPM, with a compression ratio of 10.2:1. Fuel injection was multi-point.
The GX trim had the D16B5 engine designed to run on compressed natural gas. It had a compression ratio of 12.5:1.
Other markets
In Japan, the least expensive trim package was the EL, powered by a 1,343 cc D13B engine with at 6,300 RPM. As for most of the sixth generation Civics, it was a SOHC 16v design.In the UK, Europe, South Africa and the Philippines, there were a number of sedans and Aerodecks between 1996 and 2000 produced with the B16A1, B16A2, B18B and even B18C motors.
In Japan, the Civic Ferio SiR used the second generation B16A engine while the other trims used D15B, D16A or D13B engines.
In the Middle East market, the Civic came with a D15Z4 engine for LXi and EXi trims.
in Australia, most trims came with the D16Y4 engine; the VTi sedan trim had the D16Y5, the VTI coupe the D16Y8 and the VTi-R Hatchback and Coupe had the B16A2 engine.
Transmissions
Most trim packages were available with a standard 5-speed manual transmission with a hydraulic clutch, or an optional 4-speed automatic transmission. Various gear sets and final drives were used between trims and model years, resulting here are 4 different manual transmission combinations:CX/DX hatchback, HX Coupe: Tall gearing with a 3.722 final drive
DX/LX coupe/sedan: Same transmission gearing as CX/DX hatchback and HX coupe but with a 4.058 final drive
EX hatchback/coupe/sedan: Shorter gearing than all the variants save for the Si with a 4.25 final drive
Si Coupe: Shortest gearing of all the 6th generation Honda Civics, 4.4 final drive, available in manual transmission only.
The HX trim was offered with the 5-speed manual or a CVT Continuously Variable Transmission which offered three driving ranges, D, S, and L. The conventional 4-speed automatic was not available on the HX trim.
A JDM variant called the civic RTi was also produced and it featured either manual and automatic transmissions coupled to a Honda real-time all-wheel-drive layout.
For the DX/LX/EX Civics equipped with automatic transmissions, the only difference between the DX/LX vs. the EX is that the EX has slightly shorter gearing in 1st-3rd gear but otherwise shares same 0.638 4th gear ratio and 4.357 final drive ratio.
Weights
Worldwide
The JDM Civic Sedan featured a DOHC VTEC B16A engine, rear headrests, an Integra Type-R style shift knob, unique seating fabric and the same 15" alloy wheels that also appeared on the 1999-2000 US market Civic Si Coupé. Other JDM Ferio models included a model with the RealTime 4wheel drive and a rear wiper in the back window of the sedan, which was not seen in other markets.Canada
Canadian trim packages were mostly similar to the United States, though with different designations. Canadian Civic sedans came in LX, EX and SE, which roughly correspond to the American DX and LX; there was no Honda-branded Canadian equivalent to the American EX sedan - the Canadian-market only Acura EL filled this spot. Canadian Civic coupes came in DX, Si, and SiR, the equivalent of the DX, EX, and Si in the United States. Only the EX sedan, Si coupe and SiR coupe had power locks and power windows, the Si and SiR coupes were the only Canadian Civic trims with a power moonroof. All sedans and coupes had a group option package available that added air conditioning and anti-lock brakes. The hatchbacks, available only in CX and DX trims, were sold as economy cars; as in the US, they had none of the amenities of other trims in the Civic lineup, not even as options. All sedans, coupes, and the hatchback DX had two front airbags; while the CX hatchback had the driver's side airbag only.Canadian SiR and Si trims included ABS and heated mirrors, which better suited the Canadian climate of long winters, which were not included on the American Si trims. The Canadian SiR also was available in New Vogue Silver Metallic, which was not available for the American Si trim.
The Civic DX Special Edition hatchback was a special trim package released for the year 2000 only. The car was similar to the Canadian DX hatchback, but came with additional standard parts including mesh 14-inch wheels, body-coloured side mirrors and side mouldings, a mid-wing and a Special badge on the rear of the hatch.
Australia
The Civic was introduced in 1996 initially with two 1.6-litre engines. The D16Y8 VTEC motor was found in the VTI coupe, while the non-VTEC D16Y4 was standard across the range in the GLi and CXi models, with an optional 4-speed automatic in both the CXi and GLi or CVT in the VTi. The high output B16A2 VTEC engine was introduced later and available in the coupe and hatch, known as the VTi-R.Asian SiRII
From 1996 to 2000, Honda produced the Civic SiRII which came with a B16A engine, but it was only available in Asian market. This engine produced ( at 7,800 rpm with a displacement of 1,595 cc.Philippines
The sixth generation Civic was initially launched in 1996 with two trim packages: the LXi with a non-VTEC 1.5L SOHC D15Z4 engine, and the VTi with a 1.6L SOHC D16Y5 VTEC-E engine. Both came with regular front disk brakes and rear drum brakes. Transmission choices were a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic, available in both trims. During the 1999 facelift, an SiR version was introduced. It had a B16a2 1.6L DOHC VTEC engine and was initially available in nighthawk black, tafetta white and passion orange variants. Formula red and sunburst yellow color variants followed aftwerwards with silver accents on the center console. Other notable differences were a mesh grill, three-spoke red stitched steering wheel, 15 inch Enkei rims, leather stitched shift knob, front upper strut bar, Kenwood CD player, bigger front and rear disc brakes, unique interior fabric colors and an optional front chin and spoiler. The only transmission choice was a 5-speed manual.Japan
There was also the Civic Type R, sold only in the Japanese domestic market, and only available as a hatchback and a 5-speed manual with LSD as the only available transmission. This model was equipped with the B16B , which is essentially a destroked, but powerful, version of the B18C engine from the Integra Type R. The chassis was given the designation EK9. The EK9 was very special as it was essentially based on the JDM EK4 SiR but taken out of the production line and given additional reinforcement to the chassis and body shell. Weight was also meticulously removed to create a light weight racecar feel. Other additions over the EK4 were bigger brakes,5 stud wheel hub, quicker steering ratio, specially tuned suspension, Recaro seats, MOMO steering wheel, titanium shift knob, front lip spoiler, rear wing, smoked headlights and a hand built engine that embodied the racing spirit of Honda. This engine featured a hand polished cylinder head, lighter flywheel, redesigned cam profiles, high compression pistons and balanced crankshaft. The gearbox was fitted with a helical type limited slip differential.Civic Ferio Vi-RS
Considered as the "extra sporty" version of the Honda Civic Ferio, the Honda Civic Ferio Vi-RS 1.5-litre, four-Door sedan was sold in the Japanese domestic market only. It has the 1.5-liter D15B three-stage VTEC, a five-speed manual or a CVT multimatic transmission. The Civic Vi-RS had a three-way switch installed on the right side of steering wheel marked D, S1, or S2. These settings affected which cam was used, the ECU's air-fuel mapping, and gearbox behaviour. S2 was the sportiest mode.South Africa
In South Africa, the 3-door hatchback was sold under the "Civic Coupe" and "Civic" nameplates. The 4-door sedan was marketed under the "Ballade" nameplate. In South Africa the 2-door Civic coupe was not available. Chassis codes also differed to other markets: SO3 and SO4. The Type R was never released into the South African market. No SOHC VTEC motors were available either. South-African model options wereCivic 150i,
Civic 160i,
Civic VTEC,
Ballade 150i,
Ballade 160i,
Ballade 180i and
Ballade VTEC. The VTEC model Civic and Ballade were the highest specification model one could purchase at the time. Although the VTEC models came with a lower displacement, power was greater thanks to the VTEC system. Leather seats, electric power windows and better performance all came with the VTEC models. As Honda in SA were distributed by Mercedes-Benz SA at the time, many models used some Mercedes trim, such as their leather trim and alarm system on the Ballade and Civic VTEC models. An AMG version Ballade was also released featuring a performance exhaust system and AMG body pieces.
Europe - MA/MB/MC five-door Civic / Civic Aerodeck
Based on the Domani, which in turn was mechanically similar to the fifth generation Civic, this version was marketed in Europe as the MA/MB/MC Civic and Civic Aerodeck. It was built in five-door hatchback and Aerodeck models in various trim levels and engine sizes. The Aerodeck name was previously used on the Honda Accord Aerodeck, which was a two-door station wagon, popularly known in Europe as a shooting-brake. 1.4 L, 1.5 L, 1.6 L and 1.8 litre petrol engines were available. These came with five-door body and fifty-five litre fuel tank, ABS, driver and passenger air bags, power steering and electric door mirrors, amongst other things. The later models came with air conditioning as standard. The 1.8 VTi model was the flagship model with the biggest petrol engine to be given to MA MB MC Civics. The Domani-based Civics were also available with the Rover L-Series diesel engine which was a 2-litre, eight-valve, direct-injection turbocharged unit ; an essential addition in the European market. Later diesel engines came with intercoolers. The chassis codes designated to this model and generation of Civics were chassis codes MA8, MA9, MB1, MB2, MB3, MB4, MB6, MB7, and MB8 for the liftback, while the Aerodeck chassis codes are MB9, MC1, MC2, MC3, and MC9. Compared to the original Domani, the Liftback and Aerodeck featured a new interior, similar to that of the more upmarket Rover 400. Honda had a long-serving partnership with the Rover group, who at the time didn't have enough funds for the tooling to produce an all new car, which allowed Rover to produce its own C-segment competitor based around the design of the Domani shell and using a lot of its underpinnings to produce the Rover 400/45 and later MG ZS. Rover made mostly cosmetic changes to have a brand new design in the showrooms, which was very cost effective but divided opinion amongst brand enthusiasts.1.8 /1.6 VTi
As with all Honda models of the age, VTi denoted the inclusion of Honda's VTEC technology. There was a rear VTi badge, and decals of "DOHC VTEC" on the rear doors, as well as front/rear bumper lips and side skirts. 1996 saw the introduction of the VTi model and then a limited edition VTI-S. The VTI came in two different flavours - the DOHC 1.6 VTi hatch and sedan and the DOHC 1.8 VTi five-door. The 1.6 VTi car was actually slightly faster in acceleration than the 1.8 due to the different gear ratios. The 1.6 was also a lighter engine in a lighter car, helping to reduce the 0-60 mph acceleration time by about 0.3 seconds. Front/rear disc brakes were standard on all VTi/VTi-S versions. The five-door versions included a Torsen limited slip differential, which meant they were quicker out of corners than the 1.6 due to being able to accelerate out of corners more effectively.The 1.8 VTi Civic came with a host of standard equipment, some of which was not available on the three-door equivalents. Standard 1.8 spec includes:
Exterior:
Front lip/spoiler, rear boot spoiler with integral brake light, headlight washers, electric sunroof, colour-coded mirrors, colour-coded door handles, colour-coded front rear bumpers, front fog lights and lightweight Speedline 5 spoke alloy wheels.
Interior: Unique half leather sports style seats, front/rear electric windows, electrically operated/heated door mirrors, air conditioning, dashboard instrument light dimmer, front and rear head rests and a leather steering wheel with red stitching.
United Kingdom Limited Editions
;VTi-SThe MB6 VTi-S five-door was made in a limited run of 500 of each body type, and only sold in the Honda colour 'Pirates Black', with body coloured bumpers. The VTI-S improved on the appearance of the standard Civic VTi five-door with a more pronounced front lip and also a rear lip on the bumpers, and different side skirts. The VTi-S specification also included chrome/aluminium gear-knob, VTI-S floor-mats and tailgate badging. It also came fitted with lightweight 15" Speedline Chrono alloy wheels, with a split spoke design. The later VTi-S models came fitted with the lightweight Speedline "fan" alloy wheels. Other than this, the it is identical to the regular VTi. The instrument dials on later VTi-S models changed slightly, now with italic numbering.
The three-door EK4 VTi-S was produced in 1998 only and 200 were produced in this time, all on 'R' registration plates. Like the MB6 VTi-S, the EK4 VTi-S was based on the standard VTi hatch, with differences being the Starlight Black paint, front and rear bumper lips/skirts, rear mid-spoiler, 15" speedline chrono alloy wheels, the dashboard cluster used white numbering on the speedometer, fuel gauge etc., rather than orange/red as in the regular VTi, however it still retained the red needles. The boot badges spelling out 'Honda' 'Civic' '1.6VTi' and 'VTEC' were all replaced with a single VTi-S badge, and there was an alloy gear knob and VTi-S floor mats. Mechanically and in performance terms it is identical to a regular EK4 VTi. Due to a problem with the registration process, many genuine VTi-S' were not on the log books as a VTi-S, but a VTi, and regular VTi Civics were logged as VTi-S; this problem also affected the special edition EK4 Civic Jordan, of which some were also logged as a VTi-S.
;Civic Jordan
To commemorate the Honda Jordan F1 team. A 500 car special limited edition Honda Civic VTi was created with their own signed Eddie Jordan plaque with the specific number stamped on it in the centre console. This car was sold in 1999–2000. It had the same basic spec as the EK4 VTi, but the extras included: Sunlight Yellow paint work, yellow-and-black leather interior, Jordan decals on the sides and rear of the car as well as stitched into the seats and floor carpets. Like the Renault Clio Williams, the Jordan team had no involvement in the development of the car.