Price cuts always go down well with buyers and the new Honda Civic sedan benefits from a fairly hefty price cut while gaining more kit into the bargain.Ā How does Honda do it?Ā
The previous entry level Civic VTi started at $22,490 while the new ``entry levelāā VTi-L Civic, a much better equipped car, starts at $20,490.Ā It must be the result of productivity improvements and we like it -- a lot.
But new Civic is hardly a technology tour-de-force rather, it is a repository for fairly old-school stuff that includes a single overhead camshaft engine, a five-speed fluid automatic (no DSGs here thank you), port instead of direct fuel injection and nothing sexy like keyless entry/ignition or even satnav at this point in time. Diesel engines? Wot?
Engine stop/start is only fitted to the Hybrid Civic which is perhaps the most advanced model in the new line-up, now with a lithium ion battery and a more electric-only drive bias.
The line-up
Civic sedan comes out of Japan for the time being with Thai production expected to resume about June this year.Ā We get three grades starting with the well specified VTi-L, rising to the Sport in five-speed auto only for $32,990 and then up to Hybrid at $35,990 with CVT only. It is sharp pricing by anyoneās measure.Ā
And Honda has been generous with equipment with the all models scoring intelligent multi-information display, automatic climate control, cruise control, Hondaās clever ECON driving mode with drive coaching instruction, integrated Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, multi media connectivity and steering wheel mounted controls.Ā
Civic Sport adds leather upholstery, an electric sunroof, 17-inch alloys and auto wipers.Ā The UK five door hatch arrives later this year to complete the new Civic line-up.
Design
Itās an evolution of the previous model in what Honda calls a monoform design usingĀ a MIM (Man Maximum, Machine Minimum) philosophy. By that we deduce itās been space-optimised inside with a compact underbonnet area and a large boot.
The arcing roofline remains and the front has a distinct Honda Odyssey look . The rear looks to have been influenced by Subaruās Impreza sedan.Ā But itās not offensive even though ``over conservativeāā springs to mind.
The interior is in a similar vein ā nothing too avant-garde here. Itās a rework of the previous model with a crescent-shaped instrument pod capped with a digital speedo.Ā The tones are grey on grey or brown on brown, and the switches are generic Japanese.
Technology
Though itās not up with its competitorās powertrain technology Civic sedan does have some decent stuff on board notably the audio and trip computer. Itās fully wired for connectivity and uses some sophisticated interventionist safety systems to maintain stability and a chosen line.
We were surprised by the ECON drive system that was barely detectable even though it changes throttle response, auto gear changes and the airconditioning.
Technology changes are more extensive on the Hybrid model which now uses the engine as a generator some of the time. Friction has been reduced in key areas including the lighter electric drive motor and thereās better harvesting of regenerative electricity. The second generation lithium ion battery has three times the capacity of the previous Hybrid Civic. Hybrid Civic also scores extensive aerodynamic enhancements to aid fuel economy
Under the bonnet
There are two petrol engines, both single cam units in 1.8-litre for VTi-L thatās good for 104kW and 174 Nm, a 2.0-litre for the Sport good for 114kW and 190Nm and the Hybrid which gets a 1.5-litre petrol four and a electric boost motor. We havenāt got our head around how hybrids are ratedĀ but Honda says the Civic Hybrid has 82kW and 172Nm.
If you want a manual itās got to be the six-speed VTi-L ā only. A five-speeed auto is offered on VTi-L and is the only choice in Sport.Ā Hybrid has a CVT which was surprisingly good to drive.
Safety
Civic sedan scores a five star ANCAP rating thanks to its six air bags, stability control, strong body/chassis construction much of which is in hi-tensile steel and neck injury mitigating seats.
Pedestrian safety rates highly thanks to an energy absorbing bonnet, break away wipers, steeply raked windscreen and other devices.
Driving
We got a steer of all three new Civics in mostly city and urban areas though there was a short country road stretch of a few kilometres. The Hybrid is a good drive offering smooth and strong engine response and minimal fuel consumption expected to be in the 4.5-litres/100km area.Ā
Itās not really an engaging drive but fulfils its task as a general runabout well.Ā Thereās plenty of kit inside, it has a decent boot and comfy seats though none of the new Civics has lumbar adjustment.
The VTi-l is a good thing offering decent performance thatās accessible and smoothly delivered. Like other Hondas, it likes to rev and goes better when it is. Handling is best described as ``mainstreamāā ā definitely not sporty but a good for mixed driving.
Itās surprisingly refined inside with minimal noise intrusion or engine noise. Throttle response is good from most engine revs and the five speed auto is accurately geared for the engineās power and torque.
But we preferred the Sport because it has more of everything, leather, bigger 17-inch alloys and a sharper rasp to the exhaust. Still the same ride/handling feel though and same (electric) steering.
All autos get paddle gearshift which works a treat. We really like the multi function wheel which offers controls for cruise, audio, trip computer, phone and the paddles.
Thereās adequate rar seat legroom for adults and even with the sunroof, plenty of head room inside the Sport.Ā We like the ECON mode but the hard dash is disappointing though it looks OK. In the Sport we ticked over 6.4-litres/100km ā impressive.
Honda Civic 2012: Sport
Engine Type | Inline 4, 2.0L |
---|---|
Fuel Type | Unleaded Petrol |
Fuel Efficiency | 7.5L/100km (combined) |
Seating | 5 |
Price From | $7,480 - $10,560 |
Safety Rating |
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Verdict
New Civic is an incremental improvement on the previous model and would be a good everyday car to own ā reliable, economical and safe.Ā Forget it if you like an engaging drive.Ā Honda has new technology in the wings that promises to bring much-needed 21st century technology to its range.
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