2009 Civic 5-DR hatchback

I love Civics, and I also like hatchbacks for the extra trunk space.
Unfortunately, I'm in California, and the Civic hatchback is not sold
in the U.S. (or anywhere in North America, I believe).

Is there any way I can buy or import the Civic 5-DR into California?
Would the foreign Civics meet US/California emission and other
requirements? What would all the additional costs include? Would I
have to pay double tax in the foreign country + US/California? Ocean
shipping costs?

Man, I really want the Civic 5-DR!

 

This vehicle is not sold in Canada either. So I think you'll be totally out
of luck here, unless you really want to spend many thousands of extra
dollars, and tons of time, getting your one-off certified for NHTSA and EPA
regulations.


See here:
<http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/>
<http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffvr29.htm>

 

Have you looked at Honda Fit? That would be my pick for the sub-compact.

 

That's an excellent suggestion. In fact, the presence of the Fit may be the
reason the Civic 5-door is not offered in North America.

My sister has an '03 Civic and an '06 Fit. She loves both. She tells me the
Fit is just about as roomy inside as the Civic (easily fits her, hubby and
their three boys, plus cargo), but is a lot more practical on account of
its rear hatch.

 

And in fact, when you look over the last 25 years, it's clear that when
the Civic took over the size slot the Accord used to have, the Fit came
in to fill the hole where the Civic was--both size wise and price wise.

The Accord has gone to size and price territories Honda has never played
in. One wonders how that will continue.

 

Hmm, I had assumed that the Fit was much smaller than the Civic, but
checking out the specs it seems not much smaller. I'd just be
concerned about the quality of parts and construction since it's an
entry-level car.

 

It's a Honda. The Civic has been "entry-level" for many years (up
until what, '06?), and it was one of the most reliable and best-built
cars on the market.