Sticking to principles

The new Honda Civic's song remains the same, but its melody just keeps getting richer and sweeter.

The first-generation Civic that arrived in 1973 was an ideal antidote for fuel rationing that struck fear into the hearts of drivers back then.

Through the Civic, Honda showed the world that inexpensive, fuel-efficient automobiles could also be fun and desirable. In fact, an original Civic in mint shape will fetch a pretty penny among enthusiasts these days.

Additionally, Honda became an early proponent of environmental responsibility and conservation at a time when the Detroit-based ironmongers continued pumping out ever larger and wasteful fleets. With each successive generation, the Civic has stayed mostly true to its original purpose and has reaped the rewards from a growing and loyal customer base.

It's clear that the ninth-generation Civic that's just now trickling into the retail pipeline (slowed due to parts shortages from the recent earthquake/tsunami in Japan) is following an evolutionary path. There's no shock-and-awe approach to its design or technological content. Instead there's a continual effort to improve on the Civic's inherent goodness that will more likely be felt as much as noticed.

The coupe and sedan have evolved only modestly, compared to their previous-gen counterparts. The roof lines are a bit more sweeping (what Honda calls a "one-motion profile") and the front roof pillars are now thinner to improve visibility.

Other updates include a more attractive nose, plus a general updating of the rear deck and tail lamps.

The sheet metal is attached to a slightly stiffer platform that also cuts the distance between the front and rear wheels by a little more than an inch. Despite the shrinkage and without changing the vehicle's width or height, Honda has increased shoulder and legroom for front- and rear-seat passengers, while slightly enlarging the trunk space. That's progress.

For the driver, Honda recast its two-tier instrument panel into a slightly more formal layout. The large, centrally located tachometer is retained, topped by a speedometer and available 5-inch screen that can display key operating and audio-system-selection info.

Upgrading the Civic's already decent road manners involved dialing in greater steering responsiveness, retuning the front and rear suspension for a smoother ride and enlarging the underbody's flat surface area to reduce air resistance (to improve fuel economy).

Honda didn't substantially alter the Civic's base 140-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, other than to tweak it to improve fuel economy. However, the sporty Si coupe and sedan receive a 2.4-liter engine that generates 201 horsepower (up from 197) to replace the previous 2.0. That means 31 more pound-feet of torque for a much peppier drive.

A five-speed manual transmission, or optional five-speed automatic are offered on regular-strength Civics, while a six-speed manual gearbox is reserved for the Si.

Returning is a natural-gas-burning sedan that runs with a 110-horsepower version of the 1.8 mated to a five-speed automatic transmission.

Also back is the significantly changed Civic Hybrid sedan that now features a 1.5-liter four-cylinder aided by an electric motor to produce a combined 110 horsepower. That's the same output (but more torque) than before, but the system now employs a lighter and more advanced lithium-ion battery, replacing the previous nickel-metal-hydride battery.

Honda claims the Hybrid will achieve a 44-mpg rating for both city and highway driving, compared to 40/45 for the 2011 edition. The numbers show greater electric assist around town to provide a 10 percent improvement in economy.

Meanwhile, Honda affirms you can bank on 28/39 mpg city/highway for Civics with the base gas engines and automatic transmissions. Those numbers improve to 29/41 for the "high-fuel-economy" Civic HF that comes with an automatic transmission, aero-body kit and lightweight alloy wheels. No matter how good that seems, though, the Hybrid is still 50 percent better in town, which should be a factor in anyone's purchase.

With numerous performance choices and trim levels, the Civic continues to provide a lean-to-loaded assortment over a price range that remains about the same as before ($16,500 that includes delivery costs). That should ultimately give Civic fans plenty to sing about.