Old article. The Civic VX: a Honda for the Long Haul

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The Civic VX: a Honda for the Long Haul

By Marshall Schuon

March 22, 1992

IN the scheme of things, it isn't all that long ago that I was paying 21 cents for a gallon of gas, with S & H Green Stamps as part of the bargain.

On the other hand, those days in the middle 1950's seem like a time of long-lost innocence. It was eons ago that I was pulling up to the pump and asking for a buck's worth of gas. I got it without a sneer, too, and it would take me out and about for what passed as an evening's fun.

Today, unfortunately, a dollar won't get me home from the station.

In the last week, as an example, the average price of unleaded regular was $1.05, according to the American Petroleum Institute. And premium was going for about $1.23. In fact, the cheapest gasoline in the country probably could be had on Route 95 in Georgia, where the American Automobile Association spotted it for 80 cents a gallon.

That was down, respectively, from $1.10 and $1.27 a year ago, but there's no denying that it still pays to have an automobile that is a sipper instead of a gulper.

The champ at passing gas stations is Honda's new Civic VX hatchback, a subcompact whose economy ratings are billed by the Government as 48 miles per gallon in the city, and 55 on the highway. The car has an 11.9-gallon tank, which means that, on average, it will eat up 654.5 miles of open road between fill-ups, making it the longest of the long-distance runners sold in this country.

The tester was a red VX with gray interior, a few options such as air-conditioning and cassette player, and the feel of a fairly basic vehicle -- although, as always, the basic feel of a Honda is at least as pleasant as the plusher attempts by many others.

This year's Civic, totally redesigned and in its fifth generation, can be had in four flavors -- CX, DX, Si and VX -- and the VX designation comes from the VTEC-E engine, a 1.5-liter four with 16 valves. The valves work with a variable control system that deactivates one intake valve in each cylinder at low revs, producing a high degree of swirl in the combustion chamber.

When engine speed exceeds 2,500 r.p.m., the secondary intake valve goes to work, and both valves then increase the engine's lung capacity and performance.

Civics now can be had with as much as 125 horsepower, but the VX for '92 produces a matching 92 horses, and it can be had only with a five-speed manual transmission. Surprisingly (or maybe not so, given the 2,300-pound curb weight), the car manages to be reasonably quick and sporty while holding its thirst in check, and it is both taut and comfortable.

The new body, which is about three inches longer than last year's, also offers better aerodynamics, and the VX includes a rear panel on the undercarriage to improve airflow. The tires, mounted on lightweight 13-inch wheels, are designed for low rolling resistance.

Rigidity has been increased for better ride comfort and handling, and tubular beams reinforce the doors for safety.

Up front, there is a smooth nose and wind-cheating bumper, and the car's lines flow into a sort of station-wagon rear whose window pops open with the pull of a remote release at the side of the driver's seat.

Like all other '92 Hondas, the VX offers a driver's side airbag, and the interior is nicely put together. The car's large glass areas also provide good visibility. And full instrumentation, including a tachometer, is standard equipment.

Ventilation has also been improved, a plus in a small car that offers room for five but that in the past offered unsteamy air for only two or three. A beverage holder also is standard, and the front buckets recline.

In back, the seats can be folded individually to provide a seat and partial cargo space or the full 12.4 cubic feet of luggage-hauling capacity.

Power steering is not available, although the effort required in a car this light is negligible. Power brakes are standard, however, with disks up front and drums at the rear.

There is a newly refined suspension system with double wishbones, front and rear. On the highway, while you are passing all those off-ramps with their signs for fuel, the VX is stable and quiet, a very nice little car indeed. In the city, of course, the hatchback fits right in.

In fact, if there is one problem, it can be found at the bottom of the window sticker. The tester had a base price of $10,550, and options and delivery charges brought that to $12,248.

These days, it seems, thrift doesn't come cheap.