America's best-selling compact car is redesigned for 2006 with new styling, new safety equipment, and more power. Civic returns in 4-dr sedan and 2-dr coupe body styles, plus a gas/electric Hybrid model. Compared to the 2001-2005 generation, the sedan is larger outside, but smaller in some dimensions inside. The coupe is slightly smaller inside and out. Curtain side airbags are new to Civic, and are standard on all '06 models. ABS is also newly standard on all.

Sedans and coupes come in DX, LX, and top-line EX trim. A sporty Si coupe replaces an Si hatchback. The Hybrid comes only as a sedan. All have a 4-cyl engine. DX, LX, and EX models have 140 hp vs. 115-127 hp previously. The Si has 197 hp, up from 160. The Hybrid combines a gas engine and an electric motor for 110 hp; the previous Civic Hybrid made 93 hp. The Hybrid automatically runs on one or both of its power sources to balance acceleration and fuel economy. The system recharges itself; no plug-in charging is necessary. DX, LX, and EX models use a 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed automatic. The Si comes only with a 6-speed manual. The Hybrid has a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that provides near-infinite drive ratios. EX, Si, and Hybrid have 4-wheel disc brakes. The Si has a sport suspension, uprated brakes, and a limited-slip differential designed to direct more power to the outside front wheel in a turn to aid handling.

Front side airbags and curtain side airbags are standard. A navigation system with voice activation is available on EX, Hybrid, and Si. New interior features include a two-tier instrument panel with an analog tachometer ahead of the driver and a separately housed digital speedometer directly above.

Compared to the previous Civic sedan, the '06 is 3.2 inches longer in wheelbase and about 1.5 inches longer and wider overall. It loses 1.4 inches of rear leg room and nearly a half inch of front head room. The coupe's wheelbase is 2 inches shorter than the sedan's, but 1.2 inches longer than the preceding coupe's. It loses an inch of front head room and 2.5 inches rear leg room. The sedan gains about 180 lb over 2005 models, the coupe about 145.