why ads?

Popular at KBB.com

The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2008 Honda Civic

Please enter a valid mileage

Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Honda Civic

Overview

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. See your car's value

Buying this car?

2008 Honda Civic Review

By KBB.com Editors

As Honda's best-known and best-loved car line, the 2008 Civic Sedan and Coupe continue to set the bar in the compact-car arena. Long considered the standard by which all other compacts are measured, the Civic is able to lure buyers thanks to its impressive fuel economy, unrivaled reliability and repair history and class-leading resale values. Once considered the Civic's only weak point, exterior styling is now one of the car's most appealing attributes. With its sharply raked windshield and low profile, the sleek Civic Coupe looks like nothing else on the road. The car's appeal to younger drivers has put Honda back into the good graces of the tuner and aftermarket crowd.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you appreciate world-class refinement (along with impressive mileage), and you're looking to spend anywhere from $15,000 to $23,000 for a new car, your test-drive schedule might not continue past the Honda dealer.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If the Civic's $15,000 starting price is the most you want to spend, you might be disappointed to find out the base model doesn't offer a factory-installed audio system, air conditioning, power locks, center console or even map lights.

What's Significant About This Car?

The Civic EX-L Sedan and Coupe introduce leather seating to the Civic line, while the Mugen Si Sedan debuts with a performance suspension, forged aluminum wheels and a sport tuned exhaust.

Driving the Civic

Driving Impressions We drove the Civic in both coupe and sedan form and found them both notable for what you don't hear or feel---the ride is smooth and quiet, while cornering and...

acceleration are easy and nearly effortless. The whole experience is more in line with what you'd expect from a bigger or pricier vehicle. The refined 140-horsepower engine never overwhelms you with power, but even when you run the tachometer up to its redline you don't feel like you're bullying the car. The coupe version gets a slightly sportier suspension to go with its decidedly sportier posture, but we found it to be still comfortable after hour-plus drives. Whether you're in the driver's seat or one of the Civic's other seating positions, the 2008 Honda Civic is a perfectly enjoyable way to travel.

Favorite Features

Audio Options
Listen to MP3s on CD. Listen to MP3s on a memory card. Listen to MP3s on an iPod. Listen to XM Satellite Radio. Listen through a 350-watt system with a subwoofer (coupe only). When you're feeling nostalgic, you can even listen to AM and FM radio broadcasts.

Two-Tier Instrument Panel
While some non-traditional instrument panel layouts come across as gimmicky, the Civic's two-tier execution seems to make all the sense in the world.

2008 Honda Civic Details

Interior

In addition to offering more in-cabin technology than we've come to expect, the 2008 Honda Civic also features the most visually futuristic interior of any vehicle on the market. Take a seat behind the wheel and your first impression is dominated by a uniquely sculpted steering wheel and an unconventional two-tier instrument panel. Technological highlights include an available navigation system and a broad array of digital audio options. Third, fourth and fifth passengers would be happier in the sedan's backseat than in the coupe's, because the sedan features about four more inches of legroom and two more inches of headroom than the cozy coupe. The fit, finish and design found inside the Civic are first-rate.

Exterior

Although the 2008 Honda Civic Coupe and Sedan are both distinguished by a low-profile front end, short hood and long, laid-back windshield, the two models have never been more different. The taller sedan rides on a longer wheelbase than the sleeker, sportier coupe that also includes a decklid spoiler as standard equipment. Smaller gaps between the tires and body contribute to each model having a stance with better proportions and more balance. Beneath the sheet metal, the Civic features an advanced body structure designed to better absorb and distribute collision forces, especially in impacts involving taller sport utility vehicles and the like.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Notable standard equipment on the base Civic Sedan and Coupe models includes power windows, a four-way adjustable steering column, height-adjustable driver's seat, fold-down rear seatback and an impressive list of safety equipment such as front, front-side and side-curtain airbags, active head restraints, anti-lock brakes (ABS) and more. Notable as not included on the base DX trim level are an audio system, air conditioning and power locks/mirrors.

Optional Equipment

The Civic's list of optional equipment is highlighted by a navigation system with voice-recognition software. An advanced 350-watt AM/FM/XM/CD sound system with subwoofer is available on the Si Sedan and EX, EX-L and Si Coupe, but there are several iterations of a 160-watt CD sound system---and all audio systems have MP3/WMA CD playback capability. In addition to an auxiliary input jack for MP3 players, Honda offers an accessory adapter that lets you control an Apple iPod through the car's audio controls. Getting the navigation system also gives you the ability to play music stored on a variety of digital media cards. More familiar options are included within the various trim levels and include an automatic transmission, one-touch power moonroof, power door locks with keyless remote, power mirrors, air conditioning, cruise control and steering wheel-mounted cruise/audio/navigation controls.

Under the Hood

Bridging the gap between the 197-horsepower high-output engine in the Civic Si and the 45-miles per gallon powerplant in the Civic Hybrid, the Civic sedan and coupe feature a 140-horsepower unit that delivers impressive city/highway mileage of up to 25/36-miles per gallon. A five-speed manual is standard, but a five-speed automatic mitigates the performance penalty normally associated with combining a small four-cylinder engine and an automatic transmission. Performance fans who can't work a manual gearbox are shut out of the Si, as no automatic is offered.

1.8-liter in-line 4
140 horsepower @ 6300 rpm
128 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/34 (manual), 25/36 (automatic)

2.0-liter in-line 4
197 horsepower @ 7800 rpm
139 lb.-ft. of torque @ 6100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/29

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Honda Civic vehicles for sale near you.

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. See your car's value

Buying this car?

2008 Honda Civic Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.7

Out of 10

Based on 1652 Ratings for the 2006 - 2011 models.

Review this car

Value

9.0/10

Quality

8.9/10
Reliability

9.2/10

Performance

8.8/10
Comfort

8.6/10

Styling

9.0/10

This has been a great car for the money

By jo (OH) on Thursday, August 01, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 85,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 7/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 7/10

Pros: "Very reliable and Fun"

Cons: "Ride is not super smooth"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"This was our family's first Honda and we were very pleased with it. Formerly, we had driven primarily Toyotas. The Civic is fun to drive and has been very reliable. For its size and class, it is comfortable."

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Love this car - Highly recommend

By Puppycleosmom (NJ) on Monday, July 29, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 243,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Great reliable car!!"

Cons: "Small inside - comfortable for me tho not my hubby"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I've had this car since 2005 when I bought it new. I now have over 243K miles on it and it has performed flawlessly and still does. I've maintained this car both at the dealership and private mechanics. Other than recall events I really haven't had a problem with the car, except my air conditioner died 2 years ago. It's neither the radiator nor the gas, so maybe it's the compressor? Other than running through tires I love this car. In order to get the most out of this car you must put on good tires so y ou can hug the road with confidence when you go 85 mph on the highway. This car has done everything I've asked it to do and performed well. However, every Honda Civic owner knows it doesn't handle well in the snow, that's another reason why you should put on goood tires. No major mechanical problems, has 243K miles (it would be great if I get to 500K)and still runs great. Tune ups are expensive so pick and choose the ones you need. The paint on the hood is starting to bubble so it will be coming off soon but as long as it gets me to and from in a safe manner I plan to hang on to this car, then get another when this one dies. LOVE IT!!!"

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

best sports car for the money

By Donny (SC) on Sunday, July 21, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 90,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "fun, fast, looks sharp"

Cons: "tight fit if you're not slim"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I'm currently considering an upscale coupe. My Si is as impressive as anything I've driven costing less then $40K. Love the car!"

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Basic, dependible, car to use in town or highway

By zeeman (SC) on Thursday, July 18, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 71,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Basic, economical, dependable"

Cons: "noisy at 80 mph on highway and slows in mountains"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I bought the basic DX model Civic with no frills or upgrades. I get high 30's mpg on the road and low-middle 30's mpg in the city. I can depend on it to get me where I want to go safely and comfortably. Little noisy at high cruising speed and I wish I had the power seats due to a back problem. But then I would have to go up a model, Fifth Honda in my family. You can spend more but why?"

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Very Disappointed

By Dee (FL) on Monday, July 01, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 125,000

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: Not Rated
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: Not Rated
Performance: Not Rated
Styling: 3/10
Comfort: Not Rated

Pros: "Economical on gas"

Cons: "very uncomfortable to drive"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 2

"There's no bells and whistles to this car. I've owned it for over 2 years now. It's just some wheels to get you to point A to point B. It sits low to the ground and VERY uncomfortable to drive. I drive a lot and I developed Siatica from all the driving I do in this car. Also doesn't handle very well. When it rains, if there's a puddle I have to be extremely careful since it tends to pull the car. I don't smoke however there's no ashtray, no cup holders in back either, just a very basic car. I can't wait to rid of it and get something else."

1 person out of 8 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Unhappy customer

By badger (NY) on Sunday, June 30, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 55,000

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: 1/10
Reliability: 1/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: 5/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Nice Color"

Cons: "Noisey"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"Between the fact the the engine block is liable to crack at any minute (although they did warranty it till 2015) and I am now diagnosing wheel bearing issues I have to wonder what is next. If you like working on cars this one is great. Really Wheel bearings at 55K mile. come one!"

1 person out of 2 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

See all 1652 reviews