History of Honda Civic

1st generation Honda Civic


From the original two-door and three-door Civic models, Honda introduced the Hondamatic (variable-speed automatic) and Civic CVCC in 1973. In 1974, the sporty Civic RS, equipped with twin-cab engine, and the Civic Van, a commercial-use vehicle was introduced. Among the achievement for this generation Civic are:


• "Car of the Year Japan" for 3 consecutive years from 1972 to 1974.
• Ranked third in Europe's "Car of the Year" awards in 1973 which is the highest ranking for a Japanese vehicle at that time.
• Grabbed top prize among imported vehicles in the U.S. Road Test magazine’s “1974 Car of the Year.”




2nd generation Honda Civic


Product of the first full model change in seven years, this model is equipped with enhanced economy, interior comfort and driving performance. With the introduction of CVCC-II engine in 1980, Honda rolled out the Civic Country station wagon and the Civic 4-Door Sedan, featuring a Hondamatic transmission with overhead drive, front-wheel drive and notchback styling in 1981. “U.S. Import Car of the Year 1980” award from Motor Trend Magazine was awarded to Civic.


3rd generation Honda Civic
The concept for the third-generation Civic was “maximum space for people, minimum space for mechanisms.” Based on this concept, Honda developed three, four and five-door variations of the Civic — a three-door hatchback and four-door sedan, as well as a five-door shuttle offering superior utility space. In 1984, the Company unveiled the Civic Si, featuring a DOHC engine incorporating Formula 1 technologies. It was instantly popular thanks to its innovative, long-roofed design, and won the “Car of the Year Japan” award in 1984. In the United States, the Civic placed first in fuel efficiency tests conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1984 for the second consecutive year. In Europe, it won the Torino-Piedmonte Car Design Award 1984.”


4th generation Honda Civic
Emphasizing on performance based on human sensitivity while targeting higher efficiency, Honda creates Hyper 16-valve engine in five variation from 1300cc to 1500cc. The 4th generation Honda Civic combines four-wheel double wishbone suspension and the result was superb. In 1989, the Company unveiled the Civic SiR, equipped with its high-performance DOHC VTEC engine, featuring Honda’s revolutionary variable valve timing technology. This model was awarded the “Golden Steering Wheel Award” from Bild am Sonntag, a German newspaper. In a car quality and reliability survey conducted by France’s L’Automobile Magazine, this model was ranked first.


5th generation Honda Civic
Designed base on aerodynamic form with flexible interior space, the new Civic announce the arrival of new VTEC engine variation to provide high performance with fuel efficiency. Underneath this little wonder are 170-horsepower DOHC VTEC, ultrahigh fuel efficiency VTEC-E and high-balance VTEC. With major advancement in human and environmental friendliness, enhanced safety features and a high proportion of recyclable components, the fifth-generation Civic was awarded “Car of the Year Japan” in 1991 and 1992.


6th generation Honda Civic
The 6 generation Civic incorporates a range of new technologies that satisfy strong demand for high performance, safety and low emission. The 3-stage VTEC engine, boasting high output and high fuel efficiency and Honda Multimatic, a next-generation, variable-speed automatic transmission. This model was awarded "Car of the Year Japan" in 1995 and 1996.


7th generation Honda Civic
The 7 generation Civic was the "benchmark for compact cars" with all the important criteria in mind, coupled with maximum cabin space, smooth ride and unparalleled safety for occupants and pedestrians. Based on a low, flat-floor design, this enables occupants to easily move between front and rear seats. The 7th generation Civic won the "Car of the Year Japan" awards in 2001 and 2002 respectively for Honda's G-CON collision safety technology.