1998 Honda Civic: A Small, Anonymous, Unassuming Car From Honda

More than 10 years ago, Honda introduced the 1998 Honda civic. It was a small, anonymous, unassuming car, competing in a market saturated by mammoth sedans sporting ornate chrome, garish styling treatments, and acres of sheet metal. The producers of these defunct dinosaurs didn’t bat an eye at Honda’s fuel sipping entry, despite the fuel crisis of 1973. Big mistake. Since then, Americans have seen four generations of the Civic come and go, each much improved over the previous model, and each becoming immensely popular with consumers. 1996 brought us a new generation; certainly improved but not so much so that we’d consider it revolutionary.

Base Civic engines were the first to meet California’s Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards, and Honda offers the industry’s only Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) in its Civic HX coupe. The sixth-generation Civic, introduced in 1996, has greatly increased interior space even though its exterior dimensions have grown only slightly. The 1998 isn’t much smaller than an Accord. This 1998 Honda civic available in hatchback, sedan and coupe body styles, Honda has heeded customers who claimed the 1992-1995 Civic was too sporty looking.

In the 1998 Honda civic, a grille was tacked on up front, sheet metal contours provide a squares profile, and larger rear tail lamps give the Civic a more conservative look. Sedans, coupes, and hatchbacks have been given more individualistic styling themes, with the hatchback retaining honors as most odd among the trio. Dual airbags are part of the package, with antilock brakes standard on EX sedan and optional on EX coupe models. HX coupes carry through with an available continuously-variable transmission, making a 1998 Honda civic the most exciting Civic offered.

The 1998 Honda civic has few shortcomings, aside from its anonymous personality. Hondas tend to be on the expensive end of the scale when new, but over time, they are a far better value than most of their contemporaries. The Civic is no exception to the rule. It is a car for people who looking for car safety facts. It is a car that holds its resale value better than most of the cars it competes with.

It is a car that easily endears itself to its owner. We think the Civic is a solid buy. For those who like a bit of spice in their commute, try the EX version of the coupe. Want a fuel miser? The HX coupe is your car. Strict budgets demand a look at the CX, while sedans are aimed more at the creature comfort side of the scale. Style-conscious buyers will go for the svelte coupe, or the suave EX sedan. Whatever your needs, Honda offers you 1998 Honda civic that will meet them.

1998 Honda Civic DX