I've owned this car 5 months and so far I love it. I commute 2.5 hours round trip on rural Ontario highways. This car is in its element. The V6 is not sporty but smooth and gets you up to speed with no drama in little time. The suspension is also not sporty and while a little floaty it is comfortable for the long drive. Its a great commuter car with great storage spaces all within easy reach, heated seats, and an iPod connection that is very simple to use and can be controlled from the stereo and steering wheel (the radio has good sound as well). I'm 6'7" and this car is made for my height. The steering wheel is mounted nice and high so my legs don't bang into it and with the V6 GL there is an 8 way electronically adjustable seat without a sunroof (that's hard to find). This is a great car for winter driving. It starts well even in the cold without being plugged in, the seats are nice and toasty, it tracks well and is confident with snow tires even on snow packed roads over 80 KM/hr, and the ESC works wonderfully (worth going to the V6 for or going to the 2010). Fuel economy is a rough transition for me (I was driving a manual 05 echo hatchback before) but it seems pretty close to many other V6 cars this size and its a trade off. I don't know about reliability yet but if you are looking at the V6 make sure to budget for the spark plug change if it is coming due (they are in an awkward place and cost a lot to get changed). I needed an affordable (under $10 000), comfortable, safe, commuter car that could handle the snow belt and I have found it. Test drive it and you'll know pretty soon if its comfortable or not sporty enough for you.

My wife has owned this car since new (2005). It has needed very little other than regular scheduled maintenance and some regular wear and tear. It has great handling and very good fuel economy (I has been driven in rural Alberta and Northern Ontario and runs well). It is comfortable for long hauls - we have driven it many times for 8 hour trips and several times for multi-day trips. I'm 6'7" and for the most part am comfortable in it. The seat is better than many other cars (no bars poking into your legs) but I find with my height there is a slight curve in the back rest that pokes me in just the wrong spot for long drives. My wife doesn't have this problem. This car replaced a 2003 civic that was hit from behind (while stopped) by a pick up truck on the highway. The trunk collapsed as it was supposed to, there was enough force to cause the back of the seat to fall backwards (i.e. break) but other than some soft tissue damage my wife was fine. This is the second Civic and won't be the last. This car won't disappoint.