2005 Honda Civic Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Selling well under Market alue! thumbnail

50,000 Mi! Perfect Body Condition! Silver a/s Auto Trans Brakes/Steering. 38 MPG Runs Smooth! thumbnail

$13,775 to $21,425

6.8/10

CarGurus expert score

Search Listings

Compare

Expert review

Whether you seek a dependable daily driver, a fuel-efficient hybrid, or a sporty hot hatch, the 2005 Honda Civic lineup has the right scratch for what’s making you itch.

Honda reinvented the small car when it introduced the first Civic more than 30 years ago. Today, the 2005 Honda Civic serves as a segment benchmark in many respects, even if this is the final year before a completely redesigned version arrives.

The most popular Civic is the 4-door sedan, available in DX, LX, EX, and SE trim. A 2-door coupe adds a sporty look and comes in VP, HX, LX, EX, and SE trim, and a 3-door hatchback body style for the racy Si trim. And if you want a hybrid or a version that burns natural gas, both types of powertrains are offered in sedan format.

6.8

out of 10 expert review

Look & feel

5/10

Compared to previous versions of the Civic, this seventh-generation model lacks imagination, inside and out. Equipped with conservative, creased-and-folded bodywork, the Civic sedan and coupe are nap-inducing to behold, while the Europe-sourced Civic Si hatchback looks like a doorstop on wheels.

Inside, the Civic Si is funky, giving the car some much-needed personality. White-faced gauges, a manual gear shifter jutting out of the dashboard, sport-bolstered seating, and a handy shelf embedded into the dash in front of the passenger’s seat add a unique twist.

Comparatively, the cabins of the sedan and coupe are plain and simple, rendered mainly in hard plastic like other cars in the segment but exhibiting high build quality. All Civics have clear and legible instrumentation, unusual stacked climate controls, and a small, cluttered stereo interface located over an odd tray embedded in the dashboard.

Performance

7/10

Honda offers multiple engines in the 2005 Civic. Most of them come with a 1.7-liter 4-cylinder engine paired to a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. It makes 115 horsepower unless you choose EX or SE trim, in which it whips up 127 hp.

The Civic HX coupe is equipped with a high fuel economy version of the standard 1.7-liter 4-cylinder. It makes 117 hp, a 5-speed manual transmission is standard, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is optional. A Civic GX sedan is also available, burning natural gas rather than unleaded gasoline to make 100 hp. The GX includes a CVT as standard equipment.

Get the Civic Si, and you’ll enjoy a high-revving 2.0-liter 4-cylinder cranking out 160 hp. It comes with only a close-ratio 5-speed manual gearbox, and you’ll work it because peak power comes on at 6,500 rpm, just shy of the 6,800-rpm redline.

Let’s not forget the Civic Hybrid sedan, which marries a 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine with an electric assist motor and a CVT. It makes a total of 93 hp, but thanks to instantaneous electric motor torque, acceleration is decent.

Driving impressions vary depending on the version of the Civic. The popular 1.7-liter and 4-speed automatic combination supply adequate power, but if you can drive a stick, Honda’s silky smooth gearbox is a pleasure to use. Hybrids are frugal instead of fast, and if you’re willing to flirt with the engine’s rev limiter, the Civic Si is downright quick.

All but the Si have front disc and rear drum brakes, and Honda uses a MacPherson strut front and double-wishbone rear suspension design. Most versions of the car feel a little soft rather than crisp, with occasional rear bounciness in the ride quality. The Si is the fun Civic, thanks to its Euro-tuned handling, electric steering, 4-wheel-disc brakes, and 16-inch wheels.

Form & function

9/10

Buy a Civic DX sedan, and there’s nothing “deluxe” about it. You don’t even get a CD player. Or air conditioning. Those features are included in the VP and HX coupe while moving up to LX trim adds power windows, power door locks, power side mirrors, cruise control, and a remote keyless entry system. Honda equips the Civic GX in a similar fashion to the LX.

The Civic EX looks better thanks to aluminum wheels, and it's more comfortable due to a driver’s seat height adjuster. It also has a power sunroof and forms the basis of the SE trim, which adds a better stereo, a rear spoiler, and other upgrades. Hybrids and the Civic Si are similar to the EX in terms of equipment.

Technically, the Civic seats five people, but four will be happier. Storage spaces inside the covered bin forward of the gear selector, in the glove compartment, and in the door panel bins are decently sized, and don’t forget about the tray under the stereo or the Civic Si’s big dashboard shelf.

When it comes to cargo, the Civic Si is the best bet. It offers 15.7 cubic feet behind the back seat and 35.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. Civic coupes and sedans each boast a roomy 12.9 cubic-foot trunk, while the Hybrid accommodates 10.1 cubic feet to make room for the battery pack. The natural gas GX’s special fuel tanks chew into trunk space, leaving just 7 cubic feet for your luggage.

Technology

7/10

Nearly every 2005 Honda Civic includes a CD player. None of them offers new Bluetooth cell phone pairing for hands-free calling capability. For a premium sound system, you’ll want the Civic SE, which gets better speakers, a CD changer, an MP3 player, and an auxiliary input jack.

Otherwise, in terms of technology, the Honda Civic GX, HX, and Hybrid showcase eco-friendly powertrains. Perhaps the most accessible of the trio, the Civic HX’s engine employs lean-burn technology, which emits fewer hydrocarbons into the atmosphere. The continuously variable transmission used in this trio of Civics is also a fuel saver.

Safety

4/10

Aside from the underlying vehicle structure, the 2005 Civic’s primary safety system is a set of dual front airbags. Side-impact airbags are an option, and they improve safety. In order to get antilock brakes, you’ll need EX, SE, Si, or Hybrid trim.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2005 Civic sedan earns a Good rating in the moderate front overlap test and a Poor rating for the seats and head restraints. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) assigns 4-star and 5-star ratings across the board, with the exception of the Civic coupe without side airbags, which gets a 3-star rating for front-seat protection.

Cost-effectiveness

9/10

Known for their reliability and resale value, a Civic is a good bet in terms of value even if it tends to be a little more expensive than some competitors. In particular, if you don’t mind the reduced performance and higher price, the Civic Hybrid’s thrifty nature could prove mighty beneficial over the long haul. The Civic Si, with its odd look and manual-only gearbox, could prove hard to sell in the future.

by Christian Wardlaw

Published May 25, 2021

What owners say

AI Summary · 41 reviews

"Overall, owners have a favorable view of the 2005 Honda Civic, appreciating its reliability, fuel efficiency, and handling. Many drivers highlight that it’s fun to drive and a great value for the cost. However, some common complaints include a lack of power for quick acceleration, discomfort in the seats during long rides, and increased road noise at highway speeds."

4.4

41 reviews

Write a review

by Francis B

A few years back, I got the opportunity to test drive a customer (!) owned 2005 Honda Civic Type-R car from a Honda dealership. Type R's were so wanted that none of the dealers in Belgium had one for demo purposes, not even the importer. On the test drive day, rain was pouring of course. The dealer drove me around for a few minutes before handing me over the steering wheel. The Civic drives like a fast GTI in the lower rev range with a particularly well balanced chassis and roadholding. You feel instantly at ease in this car. I never quite understood the essence of the VTEC although I read lots about it. But boy is it good. This car feels like it comes with two engines. Somewhere around 4500rpm where a normal engine prepares for its last breath, this thing is not even awake. When it eventually does, the character is so wild and brutal that I was instantly hooked. The Type R is built in superlight spec. Aircon is not available because it would make the car heavier. It is only available as a dealer accessory. The racy interior is well built and has a nice touch. The comfort is very good for this kind of car with the Recaro seats. Braking is up to level with the cars 200hp and excellent handling. The only drawback in this soaked weather was the grip of the Bridgestone Potenza's when the VTEC kicks in. It sure could do with a sensitive right foot. There is no doubt that this is one of the most fun cars I have ever driven. I generally dislike front wheel drive cars, but this one made me reconsider my fundamental judgement.

February 6, 2010

by Andrew S

Love the car the engine revs like crazy and loves it, the handling is amazing as it is so light fantastic car for the money with Honda reliability, the fuel economy is not that great around 20 MPG around town and up to 35 maybe 40 MPG at a push on the motorway, lets face it you don't buy this car for its fuel economy! Fantastic confidence inspiring drive corners like its on rails, the VTEC does kick in a little too late i think it would be nice if it kicked in at around 5 to 5 and a half thousand RPM, other than that a brilliant car. Fantastically fun to drive. Servicing costs are very low and this is a Honda so is ultra reliable. It looks fantastic an all round brilliant package.

June 25, 2008

by Anonymous

This car doesn't generate much emotion. It gets very good gas mileage. Sometimes on trips it will tick past 40mpg. Around town it's usually 30+. However, this car has very little get up and go. It is sometimes frustrating trying to merge onto limited access freeways or while passing.

October 31, 2007