World War Oppo: Honda Civic

"Justin Young" (jus1029) 09/29/2013 at 19:38 • Filed to: World War Oppo, Honda Civic

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Welcome to World War Oppo, where two similar cars yet different from each other battle it out and you decide on who wins. Today, we take a look at a Japanese twin, one that is down-right boring and one that is surprisingly cool: the Honda Civic, international vs. European spec.

It all started in 2001 when Honda introduced the seventh gen Civic. Japan, America, Canada, Philippines, etc. automatically had the ES/EM version while the rest of Europe and Australia had the EU/EP one. (the Japs later also had it as the Civic Euro) Sure, US and Canada had a taste of what the British can build, albeit in a 3-door form (EP3) dubbed Si . However while Europe and Japan had the Type R, it didn't reach American and Canadian shores.

In 2008, the Civics, in terms of body design, were different triples. First, the North America and Canadian (FA/FG) model had curvy lines and squinty eyes. The Asia-Pacific one (FD) had wide eyes and sporty design. To our fellow Canucks, think of the Acura CSX. Albeit the different bodies, it's still the same underneath.

Both were very popular to millennials, but the Euro Civic (FK/FN) were very popular to track day goers. Its wheelbase is three inches shorter than both sedan and one inch shorter than the Si coupe. Speaking of which, for unknown reasons, US and CAN never had the UK Civic in their hands this time. This began the war of the Civics.

Despite sharing the same chassis code (FB), both Civics are waaaaay more different from each other. I admit, the latest model looks slightly better than the previous, but Honda thought they would make it even better with a minor facelift. Still, it was no match for the Swindon-built model. Now with a 33mm difference, a sharper, sportier design and a WTCC brother, this was a good model year for the Euro Civic.

Both are compact cars, Japanese-engineered and VTEC-equipped. Though named identically, both Civics are completely far from each other, physically and geographically.

Place your bets now!

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Bandit > Justin Young 09/29/2013 at 19:40

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Bandit Spec: I don't really care... so the one with the V-Tec that kicks in the soonest. :P