After just two years on the market, the Civic received a mild facelift meant to solve a few technical issues and some mild changes on the outside.
The Japanese carmaker was well-known for its reliable products, and the market well received the revised five-door Civic. Its radical design attracted new buyers for Honda, while previous owners criticized the vehicle due to its rear suspension and rough ride.

While the exterior was praised, a particular part of it was not very pleasant for the customers, especially the mirror-like grille. Along with the 2008 facelift, Honda replaced-it with a chromed one that sported two squared air-intakes. The front apron’s triangular air-intake shapes were found into the rear, as side exhaust tips, for the 1.8-liter and 2.2-liter versions, while the 1.4-liter unit featured plastic caps in the rear apron and a hidden exhaust behind it.

The interior was focused on the driver, with a center-stack tilted toward the driver. The instrument cluster was installed on two levels, with the speedometer on top and the tachometer and the rest of the dials in a regular cluster behind the steering wheel. There was enough room for three passengers in the back, and the “Magic Seats” system allowed the bench to be raised or lowered. The rear bench featured a 60:40 split seatback or lift.

The eighth generation of the Civic featured rear trailing arms. Most of its predecessors featured double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link in the rear. That compromise was made by Honda to provide a bigger trunk space. Honda offered the car with a choice of two gasoline and one diesel engine. The standard transmission was a 6-speed manual. A robotized 5-speed version was available for both gasoline engines, while on specific markets, Honda introduced an automatic transmission.