Trusted, reliable, and a fun car to drive: That’s what you are looking for in your pre-owned vehicle. The 2002 Honda Civic EX caught your eye. It’s super cute, but it is also the type of car that gets you to and from work without breaking your budget on gas.
What does the 2002 Honda Civic EX have to offer?
The Honda Civic EX for 2002 is the third of four trim packages offered for the year. It was available as both a two-door coupe and a four-door sedan. This vehicle offered a 1.7L I-4 engine that produced a respectable 127 horsepower. It was available in six colors, offered front-wheel drive, and had ample room for five people.
These specs have the makings of a very reliable sedan, one that you can still count on nearly two decades later. Before you decide to buy it, we’ll break down some key features for this vehicle and provide you with some insight into what you can expect. Then, check out the 2002 Honda Civic EX’s Vehicle History.
What the Civic EX Has to Offer
If you’re in the market for a pre-owned sedan that’s worth the buy, Honda is the way to go. More specifically, check out the Civic.
This model has been made by the company since 1972 (that’s some reliability), initially as a subcompact car and, from 2000 onward, a compact car. It’s one of the most recognizable cars in the company’s lineup. It wasn’t until the sixth generation, in 1995, that the EX trim model was offered.
Take a look at this in-depth review of the 2002 Honda Civic EX. Remember, this is the third trim model offered this year, with the Si as the highest trim model option.
This video does a good job of breaking down the features of the 2004 Civic EX. What you’ll notice from the beginning is that this sedan has a roomy interior with ample legroom.
It also has the traditional gray interior – one that the Civic has become known for (along with many other vehicles of its day). It’s a smaller car, which means you are not going to get a lot of room to move, but this one is surprisingly spacious.
A key feature to note is the two-tone interior. This was an EX feature at the time. It also offers power windows and doors. Another 2002 addition – chrome handles. The interior dashboard is very basic and normal for its time frame as well.
Check Out the Exterior
The exterior of the Honda Civic EX for 2002 offers a clean, rounded-edged vehicle with ample features throughout. The lights are bigger and brighter than older models. In addition to this, the front chrome-trimmed grille is another feature of this trim. The tires are a simple design and have seven spokes. There are small chrome trim features throughout the exterior as well.
All in all, the exterior of the vehicle is not as impressive as some, but it is the reliability that people buy this vehicle for anyway. Still, it’s a well-made car that stands the test of time.
Let’s Go Under the Hood
When it comes to the driving quality of the 2002 Honda Civic EX, you see superior results, especially for this vehicle’s age. The vehicle offered a 1.7L inline-four engine with a five-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. The vehicle also offered an optional four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive for those interested in upgrading.
The higher trim model for the 2002 year offered a 2.0L inline-four engine producing 160 horsepower. By comparison, the EX was a solid investment.
When it comes to fuel economy, the 1.7L engine provides 26 city and 35 highway or a combined 30 miles per gallon, by EPA estimates. That’s not the best for its classification, but it is reliable.
A few additional specs to point out include a four-wheel independent suspension, front anti-roll back, and a rack and pinion steering system. It also features a speed-sensing hydraulic power-assist rack-pinon steering option.
For safety, the 2002 Honda Civic EX offered a few nice features like remote keyless entry, ABS, and dual front impact airbags as standard features. Front passenger airbag occupancy sensor was an optional feature.
There was also an optional security system. Though the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration did not provide an overall safety rating, the 2002 Civic received solid positive ratings across the board.
Also notable for those purchasing a pre-owned car are the recalls. The 2002 Honda Civic EX has a total of 24 recalls as of October of 2020. This included concerns with the airbags, exterior lighting, and visibility.
It also had an engine-related problem related to the vehicle’s air cleaner and a problem with the CNG fuel tank thermal insulator.
Should You Buy the 2002 Honda Civic EX?
What you’ll find here is a reliable vehicle with good features for its age. It is a dependable car – which is why so many people are still after it nearly 20 years later. You’ll also find this vehicle has a lot of owner-love reviews – people relied on these cars for hundreds of thousands of miles.
To learn more about the 2002 Honda Civic EX, check out its Vehicle History.
Photos: Honda
