Hatchback
Trims available in the hatchback body style were the CX, DX, VX (EH2) and Si (EH3) initially for both the U.S. and Canada, however the VX and Si models were discontinued in Canada after model year 1993. With a total interior room (passenger and luggage) of 90 cu.ft., the hatchback was classified by EPA of U.S. as subcompact.
CX: The economical CX was the base model equipped with all-manual features, and power brakes. In the U.S., it came with the 8-valve 70 hp 1.5L D15B8 engine and manual transmission. With 42/48 miles per gallon (mpg) (city/hwy) ] or 40/47 mpg (city/hwy) ], the CX was the second most fuel-efficient Civic model of the fifth generation, after the VX. CX models in Canada came with the same 16-valve 102 hp 1.5L D15B7 engine as in the DX model, but could also be ordered with automatic transmission which also came with power steering. Some later CDM CX models (colloquially known as the "CX-Plus") could be ordered from the factory with a rear wiper, side mouldings and manual passenger-side mirror.
VX: Fitted with the same manual transmission, the VX was identical to the base model CX except that it gained improved fuel efficiency through a 92 hp 1.5 L VTEC-E engine yielding 48/55 mpg (city/hwy) ] or 44/51 mpg (city/hwy) ]. In Canada, it was rated by Transport Canada fuel consumption estimate: 4.7L/100 km city and 4.3L/100 km hwy. Other added features were an 8K tachometer with redline at 6K RPM, lightweight 13-inch (330 mm) aluminum alloy wheels, as well as additional front & rear under-body trim additions to improve aerodynamic flow. The VX was also equipped with an aluminum alternator bracket, an aluminum front driver side engine mount, and a lightweight crank pulley. In addition, the instrument cluster featured a shift indicator light that would notify the driver when to shift upwards in order to achieve optimum mileage. To this day, the CX & VX models are lauded as one of the only gasoline-powered cars that rival the fuel economy of today's hybrids and diesels. In the March 2010 issue of Car & Driver for example, it mentions its long-term test car, a 2009 VW TDI Jetta with 6-speed dual-clutch auto transmission, got worse fuel mileage (38 mpg) than their 1992 Honda Civic VX test car (which got 41 mpg) and 2000 Honda Insight hybrid (48 mpg).
DX: The more powerful DX (pictured), with a 102 hp (76 kW) 1.5 L D15B7 engine, manual passenger side mirror (after '92), tilt steering, intermittent wipers, side mouldings, rear wiper/washer, and rear cargo shelf as standard equipment. Despite the higher hp powerplant, the DX returns real-world mileage of 38 city / 45 hwy.
Si: Also introduced in 1992, the Si replaced rear drum brakes with discs, a power moonroof, cruise control, a dashboard clock, a 9K tachometer with a 7,200 rpm redline, plastic wheelcovers on 14 inch wheels, power side mirrors (body coloured, beginning in 1993), and a 125 hp (93 kW) 1.6 L single-overhead cam D16Z6 VTEC engine. In 1994, the driver's side airbag (a first in the Si) was complemented by a passenger side airbag, while rear speakers and optional ABS were also added (the VIN# will have the imbedded sequence "EH339" as opposed to the regular Si designation of "EH338" in the number). In contrast to subsequent Si generations, the D16Z6 powerplant was the same as used in the EX, although the automatic transmission was not available for the Si. It enabled the car to hit 0–60 in 7.5 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 16.3 at 86 mph. VTEC activated on the intake side and not the exhaust side, which was the result of the spark plug blocking the area where the cam follower would be. The Si, EX, and VX were also the only fifth generation Civics to feature a tachometer.
In other markets (Japan, Europe, Peru) the Si received the 1.6 D16A9 DOHC non-VTEC engine, with 130 PS (96 kW). At this time, however, the Si was not the most powerful variant of the Civic sold elsewhere: Honda also offered the Civic VTi, which featured a 160 PS (118 kW) B16A2 engine. The JDM version SiR carried an even more powerful B16A engine, which made 170 PS (125 kW). Civics in Japan using the SiR name included the EG6 SiR-II (hatch) and EG9 Ferio SiR (sedan) Civics as well as the CR-X Del Sol. Japan also received a sporting VTi with a 1.5 liter engine with 130 PS (96 kW).
In European markets the trims available were the DX (EG3/1.3 L; 75 PS), LSi (EG4/1.5 L 90 PS), VEi (EG4/1.5 L SOHC VTEC-E 92 PS), ESi (EG5/1.6 L SOHC VTEC 125 PS), and VTi (EG6/1.6 L DOHC VTEC 160 PS)
Read more about this topic: Honda Civic (fifth Generation), Trim Levels