2004 Honda Civic Review
2004 Honda Civic Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly engines, roomy interior, reputation for durability and quality, impressive crash test scores.
Cons
- Top-of-the-line models are pricey, antilock brakes not available on DX or LX.
What’s new
In typical Honda fashion, the Civic receives a number of minor changes this year in order to keep it fresh. For the coupe and sedan, there's new exterior styling, including restyling for the front and rear bumpers, hood, headlights and grille. Inside, the audio speakers have been upgraded, extra sound deadening material has been added and floor mats are now standard in the LX and EX. The LX trim has slightly bigger wheels this year (15 inches) and standard keyless entry. A new value package contains air conditioning, a CD player and a new center console. For the Si hatchback, there are new headlight and taillight designs, larger 16-inch wheels and flashier interior trim. Like the regular sedan, the Civic Hybrid has updated styling, standard floor mats and improved speakers. It also has a new interior console with an armrest, adjustable rear headrests and a manual driver-seat height adjuster. Finally, all 2004 Honda Civic sedans and coupes have a new seatbelt reminder system.
Edmunds says
Still a class leader, the 2004 Honda Civic is the most refined, solidly built economy car on the market.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2004 Honda Civic DX 4dr Sedan (1.7L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.52 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$146/mo for Civic DX
Civic DX
vs
$180/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2004 Honda Civic.
5 star(80%)
4 star(15%)
3 star(3%)
2 star(1%)
1 star(1%)
572 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.13 out of 5 stars
More comfort than a box of rocks!
moitz, 01/27/2011
2004 Honda Civic EX 4dr Sedan (1.7L 4cyl 5M)
Well, it's been 5 years since I purchased this car used, with 32k on the clock.
It now has 145k on it, and I'm expecting to own it another 3 years and 60k.
So that right there should tell you something about it.
This gen of Civic is, quite simply put, the ideal commuter and city car.
The engine is reasonably smooth and peppy.
Very low road noise with Goodyear Affinity … Triple-treads.
Steering is nicely weighted for city driving.
Ride quality is sportier than it's American counterparts, and build quailty is far and above the class leader.
5 adults will fit if needed.
Sunroof and power gizmos abound.
Repairs are infrequent and cheap.
36 highway, 30 city.
How can you go wrong?
5 out of 5 stars
Hybrid in disguise--UPDATE! (~7 years later)
illili, 11/20/2018
2004 Honda Civic Hybrid 4dr Sedan (1.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 5M)
I wrote a review with the same title when I purchased the car. I'm still driving it today and have a few updates I think are worth noting. I don't expect many more people to buy this car, but hey, I might as well share what I know. The biggest mechanical issues have been that the check engine light came on around 130,000 and intermittently has gone off and on again since. There is a … software fix, but it cuts your MPG from what I had heard so I've just dealt with the light since then. One of the front wheel bearings went out as well as the sway bar end links, those things are pieces of junk but cheap to replace. The AC compressor and radiator developed problems and needed to be replaced around 200,000. The IMA battery light finally came on for me but not until about 215,000 miles. The tell tale sign it's on the horizon is a constant "recalibration" the car does where the battery will "drain" all of its bars even if you aren't accelerating, and then start to charge again. You can note this process happening as well because even with the pedal to the floor, no assist will kick in. Bumblebee batteries makes some great replacements, but for me I've just dealt with the old one. I'm still using the original clutch, but the ISB in the transmission developed some noise like the other models in this year range. No oil leaks/burn to report yet. My MPG when I got the car was mid upper 40s in a rural area with no mountains. I now live in an area with mountains and I use the car to go over passes and have a mountain bike strapped to it frequently. My *worst* MPG average over a tank was about 35 in the 7+ years I've owned the car but now averages around 38-40. Overall, I think this car was pretty solid for an older hybrid. It's efficient, cheap to maintain and buy, and as long as it's standard a blast to drive. For a car that's driven across the country, through countless mountain passes with thousands of feet of gain, on forest service roads and more, I can't ask for more from the $6000 it cost me in 2010.
5 out of 5 stars
This car is a tank.
Rachel Day, 12/23/2017
2004 Honda Civic LX 2dr Coupe (1.7L 4cyl 4A)
This is the most reliable little car! I love my Honda Civic--granted it isn't the quietest ride and definitely has to gather itself before accelerating on the freeway on ramp, BUT I've had this car for many years and now at a little over 150K miles it still is the most reliable car I've owned! Just have to check the oil every 1500 miles and it's good to keep on going. They just don't … make them like this one anymore! If you need a basic, simple car this is a great choice!
4.25 out of 5 stars
Best Car Ever!
wrogers3087, 09/14/2011
2004 Honda Civic EX 4dr Sedan (1.7L 4cyl 4A)
I bought this car in 2006 with 30,000 miles on it.
I did not get a carfax and after I bought it, I found out that it had been in a front ender.
I now have over 140,000 miles on it, and it has been through ONE set of brakes, and TWO sets of tires.
Nothing else, ever.
I have not been very kind to this car. I forget to get oil changes, and I have wrecked it six times.
You cannot kill this … car if you tried.
I am finally buying a new car for better looks, but I am passing this car on to another family member who can easily get another 100,000 miles out of it.
BEST CAR EVER!
2004 Civic Highlights
Sedan
DX
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $13,010 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 30 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $146/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 12.9 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintPoor
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