The seventh-generation Honda Civic is an automobile produced by Honda from 2000 until 2005. It debuted in September 2000 as a 2001 model. Its exterior dimensions stayed similar to the outgoing predecessor, with interior space significantly increased, bumping it up to the compact car size designation. A notable feature was the flat rear floor that gave better comfort to the rear seat passengers. This generation abandoned the front double wishbone suspension, used previously from fourth to sixth generations, replacing it with MacPherson struts. This generation was the last to offer 4WD variants.

Upon its introduction in 2000, it won the Car of the Year Japan Award for a record fourth time. It also won the Japan Automotive Researchers' and Journalists' Conference Car of the Year award in 2001.

History

Spring of 2002 debuted the hybrid version in North America as the 2003 model. It used both a small 1.3-liter I4 main gasoline engine and auxiliary electric motors, producing a combined 93 hp. The electric motors are powered by a battery array which is charged by regenerative braking during deceleration, thus reducing exhaust emissions and extending fuel mileage to 46 mpg city / 51 mpg highway with the manual transmission according to EPA fuel mileage estimates. The Hybrid also had unique lightweight wheels, a rear spoiler, different front bumper, folding mirrors, and aerodynamic enhancements underneath.

The Civic received a facelift in late 2003 (2004 model year) with new headlights, bumper, and grille; it also received side skirts, and body-coloured bonnet and boot trim. In September 2004, the Special Edition trim level was introduced for the 2005 model year, available as the LX or EX Special Edition.

A sporting hatchback model called the Si was unveiled in August 2005 for the European market only. This model featured from launch a 1.4-liter i-DSI and a 1.6-liter VTEC rated at 83 PS (81 hp/61 kW) and 140 PS (138 hp/103 kW) respectively, with 177 and 207 km/h (110 and 129 mph) top speeds and 14.2 and 13.6 s 0–100 km/h sprint. The Sport Hatchback was also available with a 1.7-liter diesel engine.

Starting with this generation, cabin air filters (also known as pollen filters) were installed as standard equipment and are located behind the glove compartment internationally.

Markets

Japan (JDM) In Japan, a VTEC-E equipped 1.5-litre version was marketed with a CVT transmission called "Honda Multimatic". This was discontinued in September 2003.

The EP3 Civic Si hatchback body shell was also used for the second-generation Civic Type R which was sold only in Europe and Japan.

Honda of Europe designed the EP3 Civic Type R hatchback to be marketed in Europe. Then Honda of Japan marketed the EP3 Civic Type R using the more powerful DC5 Integra Japanese-spec K20A powertrain and an electric steering rack.

USDM (United States and Canada) Coupe: Trim levels available in North America for the coupe body style were the VP, DX (up to 2003), HX, LX (EM2), EX, LX Special Edition or EX Special Edition, Si and RAJ. The coupe, no longer available in Japan, was still sold in Europe.

Sedan: Trim levels available in the sedan body style were the DX (ES1), VP (ES1), LX (ES1), EX (ES2), LX Special Edition (ES1), EX Special Edition (ES2), GX (EN2), and MX Hybrid (ES9). EX trim includes sunroof. The LX, EX & RAJ Special Edition included a six-disc changer, rear spoiler, ABS, larger 15-inch wheels and a more powerful engine (see below). There was also the EX Special Edition which added a sunroof and rear single cup holder. The Hybrid was the only trim available for the sedan style in Europe.

In Canada, until 2003, there were DX and LX trims for both sedan and coupe, with the coupe additionally having the Si trim, largely equivalent to the US market EX coupe.

In 2002, Honda Canada, in recognition of the one millionth sale of the Civic in Canada, introduced a limited-edition version of the Civic called the Civic Coupe Si Veloz ("Veloz" - Spanish word, meaning "fast"). The Veloz edition adds a front, rear and side skirts, rear spoiler, carbon fibre trim pieces, chrome exhaust tip, custom Veloz embroidered floor mats and Veloz badges.

In 2003, a 30th Anniversary Edition was added to all models, as well as a Sport model for sedans. In 2004, the DX trim was replaced by a Special Edition (SE) model and the previous Sport model was replaced by a LX-G trim.

Si / SiR The US (Si) was badged SiR in Canada. Unlike other generations of the Civic Si, this one was not produced in Canada or the United States, and it does not share a body style or interior with the USDM Civic (offered only in sedan and coupé forms) sold there. Instead, the 2002-05 Civic Si/SiR is manufactured in Swindon, England, and exported to Canada and the United States. The Si/SiR was the only trim available for the hatchback style in Canada and the United States.

The Civic Si returned to form as a hatchback, after having been sold only as a coupé in the previous generation. The body shape of this model was based on the "New Bullet-Form" concept, which aimed to create a more dynamic look and provide greater stability while travelling on highways or winding country roads. The interior layout also distinguished itself from other Civic Si generations with a dash-mounted shifter.

Shifting away from the 1.6 liter D-series engine, the seventh-generation Civic Si adopted the K-series K20A3 engine used in the Acura RSX base model rated at at 6,500 rpm and at 5,000 rpm. With a redline of 6,800 rpm, the Si distanced itself from the narrow, high-rpm powerband engine of its predecessor, and as a result saw a 20 percent increase in torque. Performance was relatively underwhelming compared to the competition; the switch to MacPherson strut from double-wishbone suspension resulted in less responsive handling, and a near- increase in weight to contributed to slower acceleration than the lighter '99-'00 Si. The new front suspension did allow for a tighter turning radius than the better handling wishbone setup used earlier. Much of the weight gain is attributed to the chassis' stouter structure when compared to the previous-generation hatchback, with the '02 Si boasting an increase in torsional rigidity by 95 percent and a bending rigidity increase of 22 percent.

The fifth-generation Civic Si saw roughly the same performance numbers as the previous-generation Si, with 7.6 seconds to 60 mph and 15.9 seconds at the quarter mile, which were comparable to that of Ford SVT Focus and Hyundai Tiburon GT V6.Road & Track, July 2002 Other factors adversely impacting performance included the lack of a limited-slip differential, having to shift into third gear to get from zero to 60, and increased curb weight due to a stiffer chassis. Other changes include a switch to electric power steering over hydraulic and coil on plug ignition.

Features of this generation Si include: Dash-mounted shifter, 15-inch (2002–03) or 16-inch wheels (2004–05), air conditioning, electronic power steering, power windows, power locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM radio, CD player, clock, cruise control, cloth bucket seats, 4 interior cup holders, center console and folding rear seats.

The EP3's unique body style in the U.S., having been designed for the Japanese and European markets, has more distinct lighting compared to other North American designs. While the 2002–03 models have red rear turn signals and combined high/low beam headlights, the 2004 and 2005 models have dual separate high and low beam headlights, individual parking lights in the headlight housings, amber turn signals, amber side fender turn signals, four individual side markers at all corners, and the ability to shut off all lights while driving.

The 2004–2005 models received minor revisions. Cosmetic changes included revised headlight (dual bulb setup) and tail light designs, standard side skirts, and an option for a HFP (Honda Factory Performance) upgrade. The suspension was updated with a change from 4-lug to 5-lug bolt pattern, a larger rear sway bar, and a change from 15-inch wheels (195/60-15) to 16-inch wheels (205/55-16). The interior received more silver accents in place of the chrome ones (the lock switch).

2003 Honda Civic Si Concept (2002)

For the 2002 SEMA show, Honda unveiled the 2003 Civic Si Concept, which showcased the aftermarket versatility of the Si.

Powertrain/chassis modifications included a GReddy T518Z turbocharger with an integral wastegate, a prototype GReddy front-mounted intercooler kit with aluminum piping, a GReddy Airinx high-flow intake system, a GReddy e-manage engine control manager, a GReddy Profec E-01 electronic boost controller (with e-manage programmer), widened track, Factory Performance sport suspension, a center mounted high-flow exhaust system and a four-piston Brembo brake system.

The exterior saw changes including a Rally-inspired body kit, a carbon fiber grille, front intake and rear bumper diffuser, a black chrome-finish headlights and smoked taillights, high-mounted two-stage rear wing. For the interior, Honda included Mugen carbon fiber and Kevlar race seats covered in red Alcantara suede with 6-point racing harness, a sport 3-spoke steering wheel, aluminum pedals and shift knob, Mugen high performance LCD screen gauge package and center mounted information display.

Asia

Civic i-VTEC / Sport Using the same K20A3 engine block as the US Civic Si, the Civic i-VTEC / Civic Sport was sold in sedan body shell only to inside Asia and manufactured by Honda Automobile Thailand in Ayutthaya, Thailand. These were also exported to ASEAN countries.

Malaysia

The seventh-generation Civic was introduced in Malaysia in February 2001 where it was only available with the sedan body style powered by a 1.7-litre engine with two variants: EX-i and VTi. In November 2001, a third variant known as VTi (SRS) was introduced. This variant came with dual front airbags. In August 2003, the Civic was updated in Malaysia. The Civic was now only available with a 1.7-liter VTi-S variant. In May 2004, alongside the introduction of a 2.0L i-VTEC variant, a 1.7-liter VTEC variant unofficially replaced the 1.7-liter VTi-S variant. Two limited-edition seventh-generation Honda Civics were produced; once in April 2003 with 60 units known as the Civic RX and in January 2005 with 150 units known as the Civic RX2.

Philippines In 2001, HCPI launched the new 7th Generation Honda Civic, available only as a sedan. Initial trim levels were 1.5 LXI (MT/AT), 1.6 VTi (MT/AT), 1.6 VTi-S (AT only). All trim levels came standard with all power features, while VTi-S came with dual airbags, ABS, Pretensioner Seatbelts, as well as a 4 Speaker Kenwood Audio System. In 2003, Honda updates the Civic to feature a new front fascia and taillights, while retaining most of its features from its initial launch in 2001. In 2004, Honda gives the Civic one final update, dropping the 1.5 LXI and giving it a whole new front fascia design. Trim levels from 2004 were 1.6 VTI (MT/AT), 1.6 VTI-S (MT/AT) and 2.0 i-VTEC (AT only). Paired to the 2.0 AT was a 5 Speed Automatic while the rest receive a 4 Speed Automatic. The 1.6 VTI–due to being the base model–misses out on the Dual SRS Airbags, ABS, front foglamps, and rear solid disc brakes.

Europe TYPE-S Europe

5-door K20A3 Civic hatchbacks under the name Civic Type-S were sold in some parts of Europe (Not to be confused with the eighth-generation EU Type-S with the R18 engine) with a 2.0 badge in the front grille and Sport in Germany (model code EV1). This Type-S trim of the seventh-generation Civic was the rarest.

Engines Most DX and LX models were built with the D17A1, the HX had the D17A6 and the EX (US only) was powered by the D17A2. The Si/SiR (EP3) USDM had the K20A3. The JDM 5-door hatchback (EU) had the D15B. The GX runs on CNG.