The redesigned Honda Civic was named Motor Trend magazine’s 2006 car of the year on Tuesday, one of the most prestigious awards in the United States auto industry.
”Honda deserves a standing ovation for not playing it safe again,” Motor Trend editor-in-chief Angus MacKenzie said in a statement.
”With the sizzling Si, a sleek coupe, an elegant sedan, and a Hybrid that averages 80km per gallon, each model shines,” he said. ”The engineering passion that Honda Motor Company was founded on radiates from these new Civics.”
The award was granted to all four Civic models after two weeks of track testing, performance drives, and walk-around appraisal.
It beat out 28 other new or substantially revised models, including the Audi A3, BMW 3 Series, Buick Lucerne, Cadillac DTS, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Mitsubishi Eclipse GT, Pontiac Solstice, Toyota Avalon, Volkswagen Jetta, and Volkswagen Passat.
The Civic has been the best-selling compact car in the US for the past nine years.
The US division of the Japanese automaker said it was pleased that the Civic was being recognised after it underwent the most radical transformation in its 33-year history.
”It is a cornerstone of the Honda lineup, and we’re delighted that Motor Trend has recognised the new levels of styling, performance, technology, safety and value that characterise the new Civic,” John Mendel, senior Vice-President of American Honda, said in a statement.
”Customers have validated our direction too, as evidenced by strong sales of the new model.” – Sapa-AFP