Motion Potion: Whisper quiet with plenty of power
Most of our driving was evenly mixed highway and light urban; the GX delivered a satisfying 33.1 mpg (GGE) which compared favorably to Honda’s estimates of 28/39 mpg (GGE). We did detect a bit more road noise on a concrete highway, although that was probably more a function of the hard compound Dunlop tires than any chassis or suspension quirk. Scott experienced a bit of over steer (that’s what makes it fun!) when he was workin’ the corners on some and tight and twisty back roads. Nonetheless, he and the GX recovered quickly. Christine swerved to miss an over-enthusiastic driver beating a stop sign and was pleased with the GX’s tight response and sure grip on the macadam, no harm done.
The Enviro-meter: Near zero emissions
The earth’s cleanest certified internal combustion engine. In the spirit of Honda’s commitment to “Environmentology,” this car is a perfect match. The only thing that you could burn that’s cleaner than natural gas is hydrogen. And, indeed, the Civic GX is the only vehicle certified by the EPA to meet both Federal Tier 2-Bin 2 and Inherently Low Emission Vehicle (ILEV) zero evaporative emission certification standards. Impressed yet?
You should be. But then again, we’re talking about a car from Honda, the company that is the most fuel-efficient car company in America and committed to addressing fuel efficiency, reducing smog-forming emissions and advancing real-world alternatives to gasoline.
Smog index: less than 0.1
Smog index of average vehicle: 0.58
When it’s all said & done: Movin’ on up
Yes, we wish we lived in California or New York state, so that it would be easier to obtain a GX from qualifying dealers—then again, it’s really not that far to the NY border for us. And of course, keep your eyes peeled for fleets across the nation tooling around in the GX too.
The GX has the natural gas market cornered. For the past eight years, the Civic GX has been the only dedicated alternative fuel vehicle available to United States consumers in all 50 states. And that’s nothing to shake a stick at with today’s growing greenhouse consciousness.
In the transitional world of alternative fuels, the GX stands alone. To think that you could make the choice to drive clean and drive in comfort and safety—we say the choice is clear: The Honda Civic GX is a winner. Yes, we would buy this car. Who’s up for a road-trip to NY?
Pros:
- Fuel efficient
- Economical: natural gas as a fuel is considerably less costly than gasoline
- Engine is whisper-quiet, we literally had to look at the tachometer to see if the car was running
- Fuel availability: got natural gas in your neighborhood? What could be better than the ability to fuel up in your garage
- #1 in its class: it’s the cleanest alt fuel car available on the market today
- Zippy and nimble: it has more than adequate pick-up and speed to merge with and flow with traffic
Cons:
- Limited trunk space
- Limited driving range: about 250 miles in mixed driving
- Fuel availability: public fueling stations are not found in every community
Check out what’s involved in maintaining a CNG vehicle and keeping it running its best.
Rebate & Credit Run-down: Crunchin’ the numbers
Buy a 2007 Civic GX and you may be eligible for a Federal tax credit of $4,000, thanks to the clean alternative fuel vehicles and fueling infrastructure. That in itself brings the initial price of $24,590 down to a palatable $20,590. Purchase and install the Phill in your garage and you may be eligible for another $1,000.
Who should buy the Honda Civic GX: Enviro-conscious or economy-minded folks who have access to a ready-supply of natural gas.
Who should not buy the Honda Civic GX: People who drive great distances or need to haul great amounts of stuff.
Details and Specs:
Technical Features:113 horsepower 1.8-liter SOHC 16-valve i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed automatic transmission with grade logic control, front disc brakes, EPA-certified Tier-2 Bin-2, ILEV, CARB-certified AT-PZEV.
Safety Features:Driver’s and front passenger’s side airbags, side curtain airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS), security system, LATCH System for child seats.
Interior Features:160-watt Audio system air conditioning with air filtration system, power windows and door locks, tilt & telescoping steering column, cruise control, low fuel warning light, exterior temperature gauge.
Exterior Features:P195/65 R15 89H all-season tires, intermittent windshield wipers, rear window defroster, power door mirrors.
Page One: Initial Impressions, Insider's View and Fuel-ability