Honda Civic Review

1.8 petrol

The Civic is in all probability one of the best cars you can buy. Delivering comfort, performance, generous features and respectable fuel economy at a realistic price, no class of car can say to deliver better value.

The Civic looks like it's from another generation, but that's since it in fact is. A contemporary saloon design with a cab-forward stance, the new Civic is shaped to slice the wind. A flowing design, with hood, passenger compartment and boot merging almost seamlessly, the new Civic takes the three-box car silhouette to the next level. In the nose section, the hood, bumpers and fenders blend together beautifully and give it that cohesiveness possessed by all great designs. And it's got sharp styling too. Well sculpted, multi-element headlamps sit on either side of a prominent bonnet 'V', between a thick bar of chrome that plays the role of a grille.

Both the grille and chin look like they've been cut into a solid piece of metal. The face lifted Civic features a more sculpted look to the front bumper. The grille side is angular like on the Accord. Proportions and detailing at the rear are lovely as well. The boot is well formed and tight fitting, the design of the tail-lights have been motivated by a fighter jet according to Honda, while chromed double-barrel exhausts wrap up its muscular look.

CABIN

The quality of interiors is simply wonderful. The Civic gives its competitors a run for their money when it comes to interior quality. While most car interiors look, well, like car interiors, the Civics' insides make it look like a spacecraft! 

The Civics' dashboard will simply take your breath away. A digital display mounted at the base of the windscreen puts important information right into the driver's field of vision; its blue glow is carried over to the tachometer and other information pods. The radical, asymmetric central console serves up an ambience that is more jet fighter than saloon car. Of course, a traditional steering wheel would look out of place here, so in its place Honda has installed a sporty one featuring a futuristic, angular steering boss with 'meshed' spokes - it's well built and nice to hold.

The Honda's rear seats are low, but are well contoured, and with firm support. The seats offer good comfort but do feel a little low slung. What really improves the back-seat experience is the fully flat floor;

ENGINE

Honda's new 130bhp, 1.8-litre motor comes with even better valve control and high tech, 'cracked' connecting rods that are re-joined directly on the crank, thus doing away with heavy pins. Improving on the famous VTEC system, this new engine allows for superior valve overlap and valve lift, which in turn provides for improved high engine speed performance. Honda has added a new technology called VTC (or Variable Timing Control) to this single cam, 16-valve motor. A 100kph comes up in 9.5 seconds. While this is quick, we were mildly disappointed that the Civic was not quicker; its performance doesn't reflect the quantum leap the car has taken in many other areas.

The Honda engine is very refined and almost quiet at idle and is less perceptible and buzzy once the motor get spinning quickly.  The Civic's i-Vtec unit loves being revved. It is smooth and blessed with a remarkably fervent top-end and a whole lot of clout.

RIDE AND HANDLING

The low centre of gravity, long wheelbase, wide front and rear tracks and stiff body makes it feel good and planted at all speeds. Body roll is well contained and the quick steering coupled with good front-end grip makes it mostly enjoyable around corners. Braking inspires a lot of self-assurance and the Civic's steering is quick - the Honda darts into corners and body control is quite good. Stringing a set of corners together is something the Civic enjoys too.

The fairly high-profile tyres may have taken some edge out of the handling but even so, the Civic feels sportier. Even the firm low speed feel to the suspension does not match up as speed builds up. The Civics' hydraulic steering is really light, which is a boon at city speeds, but sadly, it doesn't weigh up satisfactorily as you go faster and lacks enough feedback at high speed. As a result the Civic is bettered in the drive experience by cars in this price range and below.

FACT FILE  Fuel Petrol Type 1799 cc,4 cylinders Installation Front, transverse Power 130bhp at 6300rpm Torque 17.69kgm at 4300rpm Type Front-wheel drive Gearbox 5-speed automatic Weight 1210kg Tyres 195/65 R15