The sail panel (the body panel aft of the rear side window) is unique to each model. The coupe's forms an acute angle with the horizontal deck surface, emphasizing the two-door body style; while the sedan's curves down over the rear door's trailing edge, pulling the eye through the higher roofline. The coupe's be-spoilered, rounded rear profile suggests swiftness. The sedan's somewhat abbreviated trunk lid and high, chunky tail end add perceived mass to a tightly proportioned, smallish sedan.
Likewise, the rear view of each body style differs markedly. The coupe's sloping trunk lid settles into a deep cut in the rear bumper, with the license plate sheltered in an equally deep recess. The sedan's trunk lid drops in an almost vertical, unrelieved sheer from a relatively high crest across the top.
The Si sedan and coupe have another grille variation with a body-color bar on top and a black bar underneath; an understated Si badge is tucked away to the far right. An i-VTEC label appears just forward of the rear wheel well; on the Si sedan it's placed low on the rear door. Both feature subtle body cladding.
The Mugen Si is more extroverted, distinguished immediately by its bi-plane rear spoiler and aggressive aero extensions all around the lower body and a diffuser in the rear bumper. Up front is an all-black version of the Si grille that looks weirdly like parted lips wearing Goth-black lipstick; a Mugen badge beckons from the upper right lip. Businesslike 18-inch, seven-spoke wheels, open in design to show off the brake calipers, complete the Mugen ensemble. Honda promises to limit production to a maximum of 1000 for the model year, all painted Fiji Blue Pearl.
The Hybrid, in contrast, is understated, with just a small "Hybrid" badge under the right rear taillight. Our least favorite feature is its pseudo-aero wheels, which look as if they were cut from pizza pans.
A blue CNG diamond on the right side of the rear deck lid, and "NGV" lettering on the rear doors identify the natural gas-powered GX. Next Page