View source for Honda Civic GX

{{Infobox Automobile
|image=[[image:2009 Honda Civic NGV--DC.jpg|250px|2009 Honda Civic GX hooked up to Phill refueling system]]
|manufacturer=[[Honda]]
|production=1998-present
|layout=[[FF layout]]
|class=[[Subcompact]] (1998-2000}<br>[[Compact car|Compact]] (2001-present)
|body_style=4-door [[Sedan (car)|sedan]]
|name=Honda Civic GX
}}
{{Infobox Automobile generation
|name=First generation
|assembly=[[East Liberty]], [[Ohio]]
|production=1998-2000
|transmission=4-speed [[Automatic transmission|automatic]]
|engine=1.6L [[Straight-4|I4]]
|wheelbase={{Auto in|103.2|0}}
|length={{Auto in|175.1|0}}
|width={{Auto in|67.1|0}}
|height={{Auto in|54.7|0}}
|platform=[[Sixth-generation Honda Civic]]
|related=[[Acura EL]]<br>[[Honda CR-V]]<bR>[[Honda Integra|Honda/Acura Integra]]<br>[[Isuzu Gemini]]<br>[[Honda Domani]]
}}
{{Infobox Automobile generation
|name=Second generation
|assembly=[[East Liberty]], [[Ohio]]
|production=2001-2005
|transmission=[[Continuously variable transmission|CVT]]
|engine=1.7L [[Straight-4|I4]]
|wheelbase={{Auto in|103.1|0}}
|length={{Auto in|174.6|0}} (2001-03)<br>{{Auto in|175.4|0}} (2004-05)
|width={{Auto in|67.7|0}}
|platform=[[Seventh-generation Honda Civic]]
|height={{Auto in|56.9|0}}
|related=[[Acura EL]]<br>[[Honda CR-V]]<Br>[[Honda Element]]<br>[[Honda Integra|Acura/Honda Integra]]<br>[[Honda Integra DC5|Acura RSX/Honda Integra DC5]]<br>[[Honda Civic Hybrid]]
}}
{{Infobox Automobile generation
|name=Third generation
|assembly=[[East Liberty]], [[Ohio]] '06~'08 [[Greensburg]], [[Indiana]] '09~present
|production=2006-present
|platform=[[Eighth-generation Honda Civic]]
|related=[[Acura CSX]]<br>[[Honda CR-V]]<Br>[[Honda Element]]<br>[[Honda Integra DC5|Acura RSX/Honda Integra DC5]]<br>[[Honda Civic Hybrid]]
|transmission=5-speed automatic
|engine=1.8L [[Straight-4|I4]]
|wheelbase=106.3 in (2700 mm)
|length=176.7 in (4470 mm) (2006-08)<br>177.3 in (4503 mm) (2009-)
|width=69.0 in (1750 mm)
|height=56.5 in (1420 mm)
}}

The '''Honda Civic GX''' is a passenger car that has been created to run on [[compressed natural gas]] (CNG). It is a derivative of the [[Honda Civic]], and is sold only in parts of the [[United States]].

<!-- Deleted image removed: Image:2008_Civic_GX_01.jpg|2008 Honda Civic GX {{deletable image-caption|1={{subst:#time:l, j F Y| + 7 days}}}} -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: Image:2008_Civic_GX_Rear.jpg|2008 Honda Civic GX Rear with CNG Sticker -->
==History==
The Honda Civic GX first appeared in 1998 as a factory-modified Civic LX that had been designed to run exclusively on CNG (compressed natural gas).  The car looks and drives just like a contemporary Honda Civic LX, but does not run on gasoline. In 2001, the Civic GX was rated the cleanest-burning internal combustion engine in the world by the EPA.<ref>[http://www.epa.gov/ttnnaaqs/ozone/eac/pr051231_eac_tx_northeast.pdf "Sixth Biannual Report On The Early Action Compact For Northeast Texas"], p.5.</ref><ref>[http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center-article_114/ "Natural Gas Myths"], Myth 2.</ref>
  
The GX was first leased to the City of [[Los Angeles]] to be used by parking enforcement officers and other city employees as a live [[beta test]].  The GX follows the same model year design changes as the Civic LX model, until the model year 2001 when a CVT ([[continuously variable transmission]]) was introduced in place of the 4 speed [[automatic transmission]].  In the 2006 year model, the GX again was equipped with the automatic 5 speed transmission, which increased its mileage and extended its range to 250 miles.<ref>[http://automobiles.honda.com/civic-gx/faq.aspx "Civic GX FAQ"] </ref>

In 2005, Honda started offering the GX directly to the public through factory trained dealers certified to service the GX.  Before that, only [[Fleet vehicles|fleets]] were eligible to purchase a new Civic GX.  

In 2006, the Civic went through its greatest modification since its inception. All variants of the Civic were awarded the 2006 ''[[Motor Trend]]'' "Car of the Year" award.<ref>[http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/car/112_0601_coty_2006_honda_civic/index.html "Motor Trend"]</ref> The 8th generation Civic remains unchanged from 2006 and is also available in the GX model. The GX is a very limited-availability car with fewer than a thousand units per year being produced by the factory.<ref>[http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Followup/articleId=116833 "Edmunds, Sept 2006"]</ref>

In 2006, the Civic GX was released in [[New York]], making it the second state where the consumer is able to buy the car.<ref>[http://corporate.honda.com/press/article.aspx?id=2006101966979 "Honda Press Release"], 19 October 2006</ref>

Home refueling is available for the GX with the addition of the [[Phill Home Refueling Appliance]].  The Appliance is manufactured by Fuelmaker, a [[Canada|Canadian]] company that markets the device in conjunction with American Honda. This allows owners of the Civic GX to refuel directly off of their home's natural gas supply when the car is not in use.<ref>[http://automobiles.honda.com/images/2009/civic-gx/downloads/2009-civic-gx-brochure.pdf "Civic GX Brochure"] p.5.</ref>

==Statistics==

The GX was originally introduced with a 1.6 liter [[Straight-4|I4]] engine. The 2001 model make-over carried a 1.7 liter engine. Beginning in model-year 2006, the 1.8 liter inline four-cylinder engine was introduced to the Civic lineup.  

[[Compression]] in the Civic GX is 12.5:1. This is to accommodate the 130-[[octane]] natural gas that powers the car. Performance of the Civic GX (113hp)<ref>[http://automobiles.honda.com/civic-gx/specifications.aspx "Civic GX Specifications"] </ref> is significantly less than that of the comparable LX model (140hp).<ref>[http://automobiles.honda.com/civic-coupe/specifications.aspx "Civic LX Specifications"]</ref>

The CNG cylinder (fuel tank) is carried in the trunk of the car and holds according to Honda, 8.0 GGE (Gasoline Gallon Equivalent) at 3600 [[Pound-force per square inch|psi]].<ref>[http://automobiles.honda.com/civic-gx/specifications.aspx "Civic GX Specifications"] </ref> Although most owners report that its rare to see 8GGE fillups - 5-6GGE fillups are typical from an "empty tank."

Range on a full 3600 [[psi]] fill is variable, depending on driving conditions and driving technique. While Honda claims an estimated 225-250 miles from a full CNG tank charge,<ref>[http://automobiles.honda.com/civic-gx/faq.aspx "Civic GX FAQ"]</ref> independent tests have found a lower ranges, at 180-200 miles<ref>[http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2008/02/honda-civic-gx.html "Consumer Reports, Feb 2008"]</ref> and "just over 200 miles".<ref>[http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/LongTerm/articleId=122362 "Edmunds, Aug 2007"]</ref>  The EPA rates the 2009 Honda Civic GX at 24 equivalent [[MPG]] city and 36 equivalent MPG highway.<ref>[http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/FEG2008.pdf "fueleconomy.gov"]</ref> Independent tests with mixed driving usage found rates of "nearly 32"<ref>[http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/new-cars/first-drives/2008-honda-civic-gx-cng-first-look-3-08/overview/honda-civic-gx-cng-first-look.htm "Consumer Reports, March 2008"]</ref> and 26.8<ref>[http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/LongTerm/articleId=122362 "Edmunds, Aug 2007"]</ref> equivalent MPG. The estimated fuel cost for this vehicle to drive 25 miles for a combination of city and highway driving is $1.47 using [[Compressed Natural Gas|CNG]].<ref>[http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/FEG2008.pdf "fueleconomy.gov"]</ref>
The GX qualifies for [[HOV Lane]] access in [[California]].<ref>[http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/carpool/carpool.htm "CA HOV eligibility"]</ref>

==See also==
*[[Liquefied natural gas]] (LNG)
*[[Compressed Gas Association]] (Compressed Gas Association)
*[[Compressed Natural Gas]] (Compressed Natural Gas)

==External links==
* [http://www.civicgx.com CNG Honda Civic] America's only factory CNG car being sold to the public
* [http://www.myphill.com Phill - CNG Home Refueling Appliance] Manufactured by Fuelmaker
* [http://www.cutco2.org/2007/02/greenest-and-meanest-cars-of-2007.html CNG Honda voted Greenest Car of the Year]
* [http://www.cngchat.com/ CNG Users Site]

== Notes ==
{{reflist|2}}

{{Honda}}

[[Category:Honda vehicles|Civic GX]]
[[Category:Natural gas vehicles]]
[[Category:Front wheel drive vehicles]]