I have a 5 speed automatic. Which most likely has similar gear ratios. My previous car had a manual, so I watch the tach and "persuade" the transmission to shift when I want it to by modulating the throttle carefully. Under normal acceleration, The engine revs to around 2500 RPM. If I push it a little I might get up to 3500 or 4000. The more agressive cam profile (VTEC), I believe kicks in sometime after 4500 RPM.

I personally think the engine has a very nice tone all the way through the RPM range with very linear power delivery. I've always driven small cars with small 4 cylinder engines, so it feels plenty powerful to me. My other ride is a motorcycle that makes only 30 less HP, but sheds 2500lbs... so even Corvette would feel slow compared to that.