Honda Civic VTi-L 2012 Review

We turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering -- would you buy one?

What is it?

Sporty five-door hatch version of Honda's best selling Civic. This one is built in the UK and costs more, but it's the one you'll want (leave the sedan for your mum). A new Type R is still a couple of years away.

How much?

The top of the line VT-L is $29,990 plus onroads. That's a whopping $6000 more than the VTi-L sedan, but you get a lot more for your money. The question is does it justify the difference?

What are competitors?

Mazda3 of course. Golf, Corolla, i30, Ford Focus and Holden's Cruze hatch to name a few.

What's under the bonnet?

1.8-lite four cylinder petrol engine. Produces 104kW of power and 174Nm of torque. It's a typical high-revving Honda engine that produces peak power at 6500 revs.

How does it go?

Lacks torque down low but once it's up and running sings like a bird. This can be deceiving to start with, but once you get the hang of it - it's all good.

Is it economical?

Takes premium unleaded, although it's the same engine as in the sedan which takes 91. This one is rated at 6.5 litres/100km, but we were getting 8.3 over a distance of 200km.

Is it green?

Gets 4 out of 5 stars from the Govt's Green Vehicle Guide (Prius sets the benchmark with 5). Produces 155g/km CO2.

Is it safe?

Scores a full 5 stars for crash safety from the ANCAP organisation, with six airbags and a full array of safety systems.

Is it comfortable?

Big thumps up. Seats cup your bum and offer good all around support without being too narrow. Car sits and rides well on the road, with a low centre of gravity.

What's it like to drive?

More dynamic than the sedan, but the suspension is not quite sporty enough when it counts. Like the multi-layered dash, but the computer screen is a waste of space (obviously waiting for satellite navigation). Trying to connect a mobile to the Bluetooth system can be challenging. If there's already a phone in the list, the trick is to say NO when it asks you wether you want to connect (not exactly intuitive)

Is it value for money?

Adds leather, heated front seats and dual zone climate air conditioning as well as premium audio. Gets bigger 17 inch wheels than the sedan too.

Would we buy one?

Hmmm. We'd probably hang out for the Type R, but given the choice between the hatch or the sedan, we'd take the hatch any day. Having said that there's more legroom in the rear of the sedan if that is important.

Honda Civic VTi-L Hatch

Price: from $29,990
Warranty: 3 years/100,000km
Resale:  54 per cent (Source: Glass's Guide)
Service interval: 10,000km/6 months
Safety rating: five star
Spare: full-size
Engine: 1.8-litre 16-valve four-cylinder, 104kW/174Nm
Transmission: 5-speed automatic; FWD
Body: 4.3m (L); 1.8m (w); 1.5m (h)
Weight: 1336kg
Thirst: 6.5L/100km, 155g/km CO2