When a fun-to-drive car combines safety, fuel economy, space, refinement, and reliability into a single package, it’s easy to select it as our Car of the Year, and those characteristics perfectly summarize the 2006 Honda Civic. Available in sporty coupe and sensible sedan body styles, the larger and more comfortable 2006 Civic serves most drivers' needs most of the time.

The most popular versions are the DX, LX, and EX models, powered by a 140-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, with a five-speed automatic optional. With the optional automatic, the Civic is rated by the EPA to achieve 40 mpg on the highway while meeting ULEV-2 emissions nationwide. The 2006 Civic Hybrid has more power this year and gets real-world combined fuel economy in the high 40-mpg range. The 2006 Civic Si (pictured above) is a blast to drive, thanks to its 197-horsepower engine, sport-tuned suspension, capable brakes, and responsive steering.

The sporty Civic Si comes only as a coupe, while the thrifty Civic Hybrid is a sedan. Civic DX, LX, and EX are offered in both body styles. Standard equipment on all Civics is a roster of safety gear including dual-stage front airbags, side-impact airbags, side-curtain airbags, active head restrains, and ABS with EBD. Hybrid models add brake assist technology. Major standard equipment includes power windows, a tilt and telescopic steering column, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, and a maintenance minder system. LX adds remote keyless entry, power mirrors, power windows, air conditioning, floor mats, and a stereo with a CD/MP3 player. EX provides alloy wheels, a power moonroof, and an exterior temperature display. Hybrids get a trip computer, and the Si receives go-faster goodies. A navigation system is optional on EX, Hybrid, and Si models.

Comfortable front and rear, exceptionally easy to drive, recipient of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Best Pick – Gold crashworthiness ranking, and with a long history of dependable service behind it, the 2006 Honda Civic represents value in our book. And when you look at the relatively low price tags of the Civic Si and Civic Hybrid, either delivers terrific bang for the buck. Clearly the redesigned 2006 Honda Civic deserves to be the Autobytel Editors’ Choice for Car of the Year. – Christian J. Wardlaw