Honda Civic New Car Review - Car Reviews

Honda Civic

VERDICT:

It may look like interstellar transport, but beneath the Honda Civic's sci-fi shape lies a domesticated five-door hatch

Performance

There are three engines available with the Honda Civic (excluding the new Type R's 198bhp two-litre - see p95); a weedy 1.4-litre petrol with just 82bhp, a 1.8 VTEC and a 2.2-litre diesel, both with 138bhp. The 1.8 petrol offers plenty of performance, but you've got to work at it, never letting the revs drop off for a moment otherwise you lose momentum and therefore the torque. Do that and it can take an age to build back up again. Instead, take it all the way to the 7,000rpm red line every time you change gear and in return you receive loads of torque and a blisteringly quick turn of speed. It can be hard work though and it's more like driving a frenetic hot hatch. The diesel is much easier. The torque is available in any gear and any speed, making it not only perfect for an A-road thrash but also a comfortable motorway cruiser.

Driving

The new Civic boasts a fabulous chassis. Hit a roundabout at any speed and it never loses grip, plus there's very little body roll either. But this doesn't mean it's overly firm because any road imperfections are soaked away before the jolt reaches the cabin. The steering is perfectly weighted, offering plenty of feel at speed but staying light enough in town.

Space

The exterior may be wacky, but it's as practical as a more conservative hatch. There's plenty of leg and shoulder room for all passengers and three adults can easily sit across the rear bench. The only problem area is the amount of head room - thanks to the car's sloping roofline at the rear, anyone over five foot 10in will feel their heads touching the roof lining. Not only is the boot massive at 485 litres (100 more than the Golf's and Astra's) but it's a good square shape with a low lip to lift your bags over. The 60/40 split rear seats fold over in one easy movement to create a huge 1,352 litres.

Build quality

The cabin may be as oddball as the exterior but it's beautifully built. Nice looking, solid materials have been chosen and all the dials and buttons are both tactile and wonderfully damped. It all gives the car a premium feel.

Equipment

There are seven trim levels; S, SE, Sport, ES, Type S, EX and Type R. All but the S have alloys, a CD-player and air conditioning. Satnav and a hands-free telephone are standard on the EX and leather seats are an option on the SE.

Safety

All models have six airbags, anti lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, plus you get ISOFIX child seat anchors. The car scored just four EuroNCAP stars.

Owning

Boasts good fuel economy and low insurance groups. However, early indications are that it isn't holding its values well, although this could change when the car becomes more accepted.

Value

Priced at the top end of the hatchback market but all its models are on a par with the comparable Astra and Focus.

Verdict

If you demand that your five-door hatch stands out from the crowd, then this is the car for you. The latest Civic's space-age design is like nothing else on the road, yet Honda hasn't forgotten its core audience (families) because it's as practical as any of its rivals.

Fancy something hotter?

Civic Type R