Performance Review: Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - EP3 - [2004]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Honda Civic Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - EP3 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2004. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2005 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 and the 2005 SSC Aero SC 8T 6.3L.This particular Honda Civic has a 1998cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Civic shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Civic's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1204 kgs (2654 lbs) this makes the Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - EP3 in the same weight category as the 2018 McLaren Senna 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Honda Civic shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 1998cc 16V St4 engine produces 197 bhp (146 kW) @ 7400 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 144 lb-ft (195.2 Nm) @ 5900 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (159 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Honda Civic you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si Sport 2d (188.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Honda Civic.

The Honda Civic has a Power to weight ratio of 163.6 bhp per ton and 119.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2004 Civic competing with the 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si Sport 2d (188.4 bhp per ton) or the 1990 Mercedes E Class 500 W124 (188.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Honda Civic generating around 119.6 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2005 Subaru Legacy 3.0 R Spec B (144.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 1983 Jaguar XJ S 3.6 Coupe (144.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.8 secs, this made the Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - EP3 as fast as the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (6.60 secs) the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI S-tronic Quattro Sportback (6.60 secs) the 2014 Audi A1 1.8 TFSI S-TRONIC (6.60 secs) the or the 2013 Skoda Octavia RS TSI 2.0 Turbo (6.60 secs). This Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - EP3 is also faster than the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (6.70 secs) the 2017 Maserati Levante 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.70 secs) the 2012 Dodge Charger SXT Blacktop 3.6L V6 (6.70 secs) the and the 2012 Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati 1.4 Turbo (6.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Civic and the 1974 Lancia Stratos 2.5 V6

When talking about the performance of the Honda Civic on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.72 secs @ 93.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1974 Lancia Stratos 2.5 V6 (14.65 secs), the 1997 Mercedes C Class 43 AMG (14.65 secs), and the 2011 Audi A1 Quattro 2.0 Turbo (14.65 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2004 version of the Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - EP3 has a maximum speed of 146mph.

Top Speed of the 2004 Civic equals the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (157 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2004 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - EP3 then how about the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (157 mph), the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 360 (157 mph), or the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 320 (157 mph).

Related Links:

2004 Civic Rivals List.

A Brief History of Honda

Car Comparison