Honda Civic

Redesigned just a year ago, the 2007 Honda Civic has re-established its standing as a no-brainer choice for a small car. Think of it this way: Are you interested in impressive fuel economy and/or class-leading acceleration? Yep, the Civic’s got that. What about a comfortable, roomy interior filled with upscale materials? Check. Do you want something livelier than the typical sedan? Well, Honda’s got coupe and new hatchback body styles on offer for 2007, plus the new performance-focused Si and Type R variants.

An excellent all-arounder, the newest Civic drives well no matter which version you pick. Out on the highway, the Civic offers a composed ride quality that doesn’t get overly floaty or harsh. Honda has also packed in plenty of the latest technology, from smartphone integration to advanced driver aids that can help you avoid accidents. No matter how you look at it, the 2007 Honda Civic is one of the best cars in its class.

What’s it like to live with?

The Honda Civic has long been one of the better compact cars, but its 2006 redesign was nothing short of game-changing. Not only did it help revitalize the Civic name plate, it shifted our expectations of what a compact car could be. This generation Civic is well regarded for its spacious cabin, excellent ride quality, upscale interior materials and superb handling. We’re also smitten with its powerful and efficient turbocharged engine. We liked it so much, in fact, that we plunked down our own money to buy one. To read about our experiences with a top-of-the-line Touring sedan. Note that while we tested a 2016 Civic, all of our observations still apply to the 2007 model.