2001 Honda Civic GX

This is what sets the Honda Civic GX apart from its gasoline counterparts?a 1.7-liter engine that runs on compressed natural gas. Can't tell the difference from the Civic's standard four-cylinder? That's the point.

The CNG variant uses the same 1.7-liter four-cylinder powerplant as its gasoline cousins, but bumps the standard 10:1 compression ratio to 12.5:1 to make best use of the higher-octane natural-gas fuel. The 100-horsepower GX engine also incorporates hardened intake and exhaust valves, as well as stronger connecting rods, to handle the gaseous fuel and higher compression ratio.


Natural gas is stored in an 8 GGE, trunk-mounted fuel cylinder that's cleverly secreted away behind a carpeted panel. This configuration allows sufficient trunk space for stowing away a good amount of gear or groceries since the 2001 Civic features a trunk volume some 25% larger than its predecessor. Considering this sedan's EPA city/highway fuel economy estimates of 31/34 mpg, this 8 GGE capacity tank allows a "real world" driving range of about 200 miles.

Natural gas is stored in a CNG cylinder secreted behind a carpeted panel. Since the Civic's trunk is 25% larger than last year, stowing goods and groceries isn't a problem.

While the GX may be different due to its use of an alternative fuel, the driving experience is definitely mainstream Honda. In other words, there's really no complaint. Handling and acceleration are excellent for this class of vehicle, and comfort is well accommodated since this new-generation Civic is a bit more voluminous, having moved up from its previous subcompact designation to compact. A flat rear floor is also a nice enhancement.


Perhaps the most notable aspect of driving the Civic GX is the novelty of its continuously variable transmission (CVT), which efficiently goes about its job without the need for shifting gears. This is very cool, but initially a bit unnerving because we're all conditioned to expect gear transitions, no matter how subtle. That said, notice of the CVT does eventually fade away, and driving is done without much thought of it.

The GX model's CNG fill receptacle is located behind the Civic's standard fuel door. Filling up the car's gaseous fuel cylinder at a commercial CNG station takes about the same time as refueling a car with gasoline.

Potential Civic GX buyers should first locate their nearest CNG refueling station. It's also important to realize that any dedicated natural-gas vehicle (one that runs only on this fuel) is much less convenient for trips since refueling stops need to be plotted ahead of time. Today's nascent CNG infrastructure doesn't always make this an easy thing, although a government web site lists fueling stations at http://afdcmap.nrel.gov/nrel.