When you’re buying a Honda Civic, you are probably looking for reliability, an easy-to-drive vehicle, and ample safety. It’s the kind of car you want to buy and maintain for years to come. The 2003 Honda Civic EX is one of the trim options available to you. Is it a good fit for all of your needs?
What does the 2003 Honda Civic EX have to offer?
In 2003, the Civic was launched in six trims with the EX considered the mid-range option. It was available as both a two-door coupe and as a four-door sedan. It has a 1.7L I-4 engine with 127 horsepower and a five-speed manual transmission. It also featured front-wheel drive. It stood out from lower-end models with a slightly more powerful engine and a few interior upgrades.
Overall, the 2003 Honda Civic EX is a reliable vehicle with some good specs on it. However, there’s more to learn about it than just that. If you’re looking for performance and reliability, we’ll showcase those for you. Make sure you check out the Vehicle History on this vehicle, too.
Check Out the Expectations for the 2003 Civic EX
When it comes to buying an affordable car, the Honda Civic EX was, from the start, a cost-saving automobile. It had a starting price of around $15,000, with the sedan costing just slightly more. What’s more, its value has stood the test of time, offering a lot of features and comfort for less.
The 2003 lineup included the DX, HX, LX, EX, Si, and the Hybrid. This vehicle, which has been made in some form since 1972, is one of Honda’s best overall options. An affordable, efficient vehicle, it has the specs you’re after if you want quality.
Here’s a video that showcases more of the details you’re after when comparing the EX to the other trim options.
The first thing you’ll notice is that the interior is open and roomy. There’s a center console between the front seats with storage. The seats in the EX are cloth and with cloth trim, which is slightly upgraded over other model trims. There’s also a bit more of a decorative feature, which aims to make this vehicle a bit more sophisticated than lower trims.
When you look at the body styling, it does not look like a 2003 model. It has a few refined edges and big, red taillights that really stand out. The car is a compact vehicle, which means it does not offer as much space as a larger model but does a good job overall with the styling available.
Let’s Talk Specs – Here’s a Look at the Engine
The 2003 Honda Civic EX comes with a 1.7L, inline-four engine. It has a five-speed manual transmission as standard with overdrive. There is an optional four-speed automatic transmission available. It also is a front-wheel-drive vehicle. This engine produces 127 horsepower, which is a step up from the lower trims, which only get around 115 horsepower. It also features a VTEC-E and an aluminum cylinder block as standard. The fuel tank holds just over 13 gallons. The engine also gets 114 lb.-ft. of torque.
If you’re doing a lot of driving and want good fuel economy, this vehicle offers it. The 1.7L engine gets an EPA-estimated 29 city and 36 highway, or 32 combined miles per gallon. That’s solid and the best-performing engine out of the 2003 lineup.
The vehicle also features an optional block heater and, get this, a gold tailpipe – if you’re interested. There’s also an optional transmission lock-up torque converter available, and some of the 2003s you see today include these.
It’s also an easy-to-drive vehicle, like most Civics. The power steering is reliable, with a speed-sensing hydraulic power-assist rack and pinion steering standard. It also has gas-pressurized rear shocks and 15-inch wheels. Overall, it’s an easy, smooth drive. Most of these features are the same on the lower trims as well.
What About Convenience Features and Safety?
The EX offers some key upgrades, including power windows, remote keyless entry, and manual air conditioning. It also has an available power sliding and tilting glass sunroof on some models. There’s an optional sunroof wind deflector available as well. There are a few extra compartments for storage in the vehicle. There’s good legroom, with about 42.5 inches upfront.
The EX features metal-look interior accents, and optional metal-look instrument panel inserts are available as well. This vehicle also has a cargo tray organizer and rubber floor mats as optional add-ons. Also nice for those with a need for versatility is the 60-40 rear bench seat design that gives you more space.
Believe it or not, this vehicle also has an upgraded radio and speaker system with six sound-good speakers throughout the vehicle. There’s an optional six-disc CD changer available with remote features.
Finally, it’s made to last. It has a solid safety rating with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s rating system (no overall ratings were available that year).
However, it does have over 24 recalls on it. While it is older, drivers really need to take a closer look at the maintenance and upkeep on this vehicle before making a purchase.
Are You Ready for the 2003 Honda Civic EX?
You’ll love the reliability and the easy drive in this vehicle. You may even like that the trunk is big enough for most of your gear. The fuel economy? That’s pretty solid, too. Before you make a buying decision, though, read some customer reviews on the 2003 Honda Civic EX at Vehicle History.
Photos: Honda
