1978 Honda Civic Reviews

There was barely a sliver of rice paper between the Honda Civic and Volkswagen Golf when they matched up on technology and price in 1976. Both companies - Europe's accelerating small-car maker and its nemesis from Japan - followed similar marketing routes using similar engineering grids.But while Volkswagen created a family to sweep global markets, Honda remained a spinster. Without a family to call on for help, price cutting overtook engineering cleverness and Honda trod water. The accountants held back funds destined for development, the shareholders put their hands out, the product became bland and sales slipped.Now, with the latest Civic, huge factories in England and a refreshed view of the world, Honda is coming back. It will never again match the giant 11-division company that is now Volkswagen but it can do what it once did best - family cars that are built well, fun to drive, cost-efficient to own and affordable. But a diesel?It's all true. The Civic is a great little car and one that small-car shoppers should not overlook. It is one of the neatest, most driveable hatchbacks on the market that isn't corroded by customer grumbles, major recalls and a global wave of repetitive mechanical problems.It also spawned a diesel version and commendable though it is, Australians probably need a diesel Civic with a manual gearbox as much as we need a Jazz Hybrid. But no denying it's a competent hatch and though it has fierce opposition, enters the market from England with a decent set of equipment, pretty shape, high safety specs and a sense of fun too often missing in diesel cars.A recent Roy Morgan report that found Honda owners were the happiest with dealer service even though there's no capped-price service program. Resale value is very strong.Unmistakably a Honda, from its short shovel nose to its tall, abrupt tail. It looks good and more expensive than the ticket price which is always a bonus when snubbing the neighbours. The attractive exterior extends inside. Double-storey instrument display looks odd but works well. Some switchgear could be better placed but the quality - including soft-touch plastic dash top - is apparent. Left-hand indicator will trick some Honda players, as will the space-saver spare set in a well suitable for a full-size wheel.Like the car, the 88kW/300Nm 1.6-litre engine comes from England and is shared with the CR-V. It's a derivative of the European-spec 2.2-litre diesel but with lightweight technology. To save fuel it gets stop-start with a dash read-out reporting on your driving style. Honda claims 4.0 L/100km and I got 4.6 L/100km. There's only a manual gearbox in Australia and the UK, though the English 2.2 is an automatic.Noise-cancelling technology banishes all the nasty sounds - predominantly from the engine - from the cabin using a system shared with the Legend. It's very clever because it works even when the audio is switched off. If it's too hard to figure out, just pretend it's magic. Speaking of magic, the Civic gets the same "magic seat" flexibility of the Jazz so opens up room for lots of cargo, from a generous 400 litres (seats up) to 1130 litres.As expected from Honda, it's a five-star car with all the electronic chassis and brake aids. There's also six airbags, emergency brake display, rear camera, hill holder, LED tail lights and daytime running lights, auto wipers and headlights, a tyre pressure sensor, fog-lights and heated mirrors. The spare is a space saver.Put on your diesel-driving hat and slip into the leisurely style adopted by Peugeot, Citroen and Volvo owners and the Civic diesel makes sense. The engine is quiet (thanks to noise cancelling) and frugal. It is relatively brisk off the mark though its strength is in the 2000-3000rpm band.The gearbox is a short-shifter with positive changes and its lightness - and that of the clutch - endear it even to the rigours of city traffic. But I was expecting more mid-range oomph. Handling is very good and Honda shows mastery of good electric-assist steering feel where some Koreans fail. Ride comfort is also very good despite low-profile 17-inch rubber.The best thing about this hatch is its simplicity and ease of driving. Yes, would sell in bucketloads if it was an automatic but I fear performance would be rather sluggish. So it's for a select few who enjoy a diesel, don't mind the feel of a good manual and cover a lot of kilometres each year.For high-kilometre motorists seeking a long time between fuel stops, who thrill at the feel of a delightful gear shift controlling a six-cog box and smile at the mid-range push of a turbo-diesel, this may be the answer.

June 30 is D-Day. The end of the financial year is the best time to buy a new car because there are always special deals in showrooms. As carmakers and dealers aim to clear their outdated stock, Toyota uses a June push to cement its showroom leadership. Some of the special deals are on cars that have done demonstrator duty, or were built in 2012, or are just not selling as well as expected. So they're not the tastiest fruit in the bowl.But there is great buying across the board as demand for new cars fuels one of the longest growth periods in motoring. The bottom line is that you can save money -- and lots of it. So here's a look at the June sales, with Carsguide's assessment of the best deals on wheels.CITROENThe new importer is pushing hard so the Aircross SUV starts at $31,990 drive-away front-wheel drive or $33,990 with AWD, a saving of $3800. There's $5000 off the C4 Seduction turbo diesel auto hatch at $25,990. Carsguide says: The Aircross isn't great, but the C4 discount is tasty.FORDThe death notice for the Falcon and Territory has not helped buyer confidence but a 2.9 per cent finance push on Fiesta and Focus still looks good. The superseded Kuga SUV from $31,990 drive-away is a $10,000 saving. You can save about $3000 on a 2012 Escape SUV from $27,990 drive-away.The Territory gets a $6500 tickle, the TX seven-seater at $38,490 drive-away (third-row seat usually costs $2500). The impressive Mondeo liftback starts at $29,990. Good buying on Falcons, thanks to the arrival of the VF Commodore, from $33,990 and better if you haggle.HOLDENAs the VF Commodore creates queues, the outgoing Z-Series starts at $34,990 with five years' warranty and roadside assist. That also applies to the SV6 at $35,990 and the Cruze SRi and SRi-V at $23,490 and $26,990. Last year's Barina CD hatches are $15,990 drive-away with a sunroof. The Colorado is $39,990. Hard to see past the excellent Cruze SRi.HONDAClipped prices and free on-roads. The City VTi sedan is $17,990 and the (slightly) more lavish VTi-L automatic version starts at $21,990. The bigger Civic sedan is being cleared from $21,990. Free auto on the Jazz VTi at $19,990. The Civic is worth a look at $2500 off.KIAFree on-roads, discounts and $1000 gift vouchers on many models. A five-door Rio S is about $3K off at $15,990 drive-away with a $500 gift card; the three-door Rio is $14,990 and the five-door Si is $18,990. Runout Cerato TD sedans start at $17,990 for the S, saving about $5000, the Si sedan is $23,990 and hatch at $17,990. All get a $1000 gift card. Cerato SLi and SLS have drive-away pricing but miss the gift card. All Optimas have free on-roads. A 2012-build Optima Platinum is $37,990, saving about $4000 with a $1000 gift card. Most Sportage SUVs include on-roads and a $1000 gift card. Carnival and superseded Rondo pricing is drive-away. The Sportage diesel and Optima are top-notch.MITSUBISHIThe manual Lancer gets an old-school value pack on the Special Action Model for $19,990 drive-away. The Mirage is $12,990 drive-away for the ES manual, with a $500 cash-back that also applies to the auto.Driveaway prices also for the compact ASX at $24,990 for the 2WD manual, the Outlander LS 2WD auto at $29,990, Pajero GLX-R auto at $54,990 or $59,990 for VRX. Both come plus $3000 cash-back, saving about $6000.The Triton ute is now tackling Great Wall from China at $19,990 drive-away for a GL single-cab 2WD with alloy tray, or add luxury for a GLX dual-cab 4WD diesel at $31,990 drive-away with $2000 cash-back, saving about $14,000. The utes look good at those prices.NISSANA 2.9 per cent finance package, with agreed value after three years, makes the Pulsar ST sedan look good at $49 a week or $19,990 drive-away. The X-Trail ST 2WD petrol manual cops a $4000 reduction to $25,990 drive-away, while the Navara RX 4WD dual-cab manual is cheaper than ever with a $9500 cut to $30,990 drive-away. The Pulsar sedan deal is attractive.OPELThere are drive-away deals across the range. The basic Corsa is down by about $2500 to $16,990 drive-away, the Astra is from $22,990 drive-away for the 1.4-litre turbo petrol hatch with three years of free servicing, saving about $5500. The top-line Insignia sedan is from $39,990 drive-away with heated leather seats. The Astra is easily best of this breed.PEUGEOTFree on-roads at Peugeot on most models but not the cool new 208. The 4008 SUV cops a $1500 saving from $29,990 drive-away and there are deals on the outgoing 4007. Nothing to see here.RENAULTA Koleos from $26,990 drive-away looks even better with interest-free finance. The Megane hatch is from $22,990 drive-away with finance pegged at 1.9 per cent. The slow-selling Fluence and Latitude sedans are available with 2.9 per cent finance. The Megane CC convertible goes from $43,990 including on-roads. The sporty Clio RS is from $34,990 drive-away and the hotrod Megane RS has 2.9 per cent finance.Commercial deals start with the short-wheelbase Kangoo petrol manual with dual sliding doors from $20,990 drive-away, moving up to the Trafic short-wheelbase manual for $29,990 and the long-wheelbase manual for $32,990, while the Master large van starts from $46,990 drive-away. There's a five-year/200,000km warranty on all light commercials ordered in June. Hard to argue against a $3000 bonus on the Koleos but stocks are tight.SUBARUDrive-away pricing -- for savings of $3000 to $4000 -- is the bait, with Impreza pricing from $23,990 (excluding the WRX, of course). The Tribeca from $54,990 now includes on-roads but you need to visit a dealer to get the full story. Nothing outstanding.SUZUKIThe front-drive SX4 gets a Navigator pack with voice-controlled 6.6-inch satnav with Bluetooth for $19,990 drive-away for the manual and $21,990 auto. That also applies to the 2WD auto Grand Vitara at $29,990 drive-away, including reversing camera and satnav with Bluetooth. The Alto GL manual also gets satnav for $11,990 drive-away for the manual, with the Swift GL manual at $17,490 drive-away including cruise control and Bluetooth. The Grand Vitara is a polished piece.TOYOTAThere's 2.9 per cent finance on Aurion and Camry with the Camry Altise looking best at $29,990 drive-away. Other drive-away deals include $15,990 for the Yaris YR five-door, $21,490 for the Corolla Ascent automatic, $39,990 for the Kluger KX-R 2WD five-seater, $60,990 for the Prado GXL turbo diesel auto and $39,990 for the HiLux SR 4WD dual-cab ute. The right time for the cabbies' new favourite, the frugal hybrid Camry.VOLKSWAGENDrive-away pricing on passenger cars and zero finance on commercials. The Polo is $16,990 on-road, the Jetta is down to $25,990 and the Passat $36,690. The Polo is Carsguide's 2010 COTY.VOLVOFuel and servicing for three years or 60,000km plus roadside assistance. There are conditions -- with a pre-paid BP card based on 15,000km a year and $1.50 a-litre pricing -- and the latest V40 hatch is excluded. Clever twist on bargaining but a pity it doesn't apply to the V40.Paul Gover's 10 COMMANDMENTSYou must still do your homework. You must still check the fine print. You must still be prepared to haggle and compromise.But do it right, crunching the numbers and running right to the dealer's deadline, and you can drive away in something special at a special price.The starting point is all the deals, from sticker specials to cheap finance and steak knife-style free extras, being offered by most of the 60-plus brands in showrooms today.If something you want is on special, go for it. But check that the car was built in 2013, and is not a geriatric old-timer from 2012, and ensure your target is exactly what you want - not a stripped-out stocker, perhaps missing an automatic gearbox - that will cost thousands to get the way you want it.Once you lock down a target, don't think the advertised special is the end of the deal. You also need to negotiate for a better price on delivery and on-road costs, and avoid the trap of buying over-priced extras such as paint and upholstery protection, window tinting and extra-long warranties.No-one can expect to go into the ring with a showroom professional and expect to win, because buyers only get a new car occasionally and sales staff are dealing every day. But, by concentrating on the real bottom line - the changeover price - and being prepared to compromise, you can come out ahead.The best tips are the simplest. Run as close as you can to June 30 to sign the deal and get the car, because dealers are all aiming for targets that can mean tens of thousands in bonus money from headquarters. Also be prepared to take a car they have in stock, even if it's not your favourite colour, because dealers are aiming to clear everything they have on the lot.And have your finance in place before you arrive, especially if you're taking up a special deal, because that makes things quicker and you'll also be spared any hassle and potential extra costs.Watch out for 2012 cars because the warranty clock has already been running, don't forget that a big discount today will also mean less at changeover time, and remember that a demonstrator car could have had a hard life already. 

The modern automobile story of better fuel economy with sparkling performance just keeps being told. Now Honda adds a new chapter to the tale with the Civic Hatch DTi-S diesel.Available in one extensive specification level, albeit without sat nav, Civic DTi-S is on sale now for $26,990, plus on-road costs. Honda Australia says potential buyers are mainly expected to be male and in their 40s, while the closest rivals look to be the Ford Focus and VW Golf. Volkswagen is particularly strong in the diesel market in Australia and it will be interesting to see how the Japanese brand fares against it.Born of Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology philosophy ‘to balance environmental efficiency with the dynamic performance expected of a Honda’, the made-in-Britain, 1.6-litre engine produces 88 kW of power and up to 300 Nm of torque. The latter is 126 Nm more than the equivalent 1.8 litre non-turbo petrol engine.Mated only with a six-speed manual transmission – ruefully, there is no auto on the horizon – Honda calculates the Civic diesel uses a miserly four litres of fuel per 100 kilometres on the combined urban / highway cycle.And, boy, does the small-capacity i-DTEC walk the torque. On an introductory foray into the Blue Mountains west of Sydney the Civic diesel came up with a relaxed drive, eating up the steep ascents with ease - and minimum gearshifts - thanks to the 300 Nm on tap from 2000 rpm. The underbody changes still leave room in the cabin for Honda’s clever Magic Seat system which allows for 18 different configurations to carry passengers and cargo.A six-speaker audio with AM/FM radio and MP3/WMA CD player has speed-sensitive volume compensation, auxiliary jack and USB and iPod connectivity with i-MID integration, plus Bluetooth hands-free phone with audio streaming, all operated through steering wheel-mounted controls.However, Honda believes drivers operate best in quiet surroundings and engineers have come up with active noise cancellation which works on low frequency drivetrain and road noise entering the cabin.Microphones pick up the noise and send a signal to the ANC control unit which in turn responds by creating a reverse phase audio signal that is sent to an amplifier powering the door speakers and the subwoofer on the rear parcel shelf.  Honda says this result in as much as a 10 decibel reduction in interior noise.The dashboard incorporates a version of the Honda Eco Assist function, which uses ambient lighting of the speedometer to tell drivers how their driving style is impacting on fuel economy. Green indicates efficient driving; blue not so.  For added efficiency there is also the Econ mode, which is brought into operation by pressing an Econ switch on the dash. The result is a gentler accelerator map to ensure smooth increases in torque for a more relaxing drive and greater fuel efficiency. It also detunes the air-conditioning system slightly, though we didn’t notice any difference during our drive in relatively mild conditions.The Civic diesel hatch is not lacking in quality additions and adornments, taking on a majority of the features of the good looking petrol model, plus technical innovations from its hybrid stablemates. Like the standard Civic hatchback the DTi-S shape is predicated on optimal aerodynamics with a low-drag design reinforced by a full-length bumper-to-bumper under-tray with flared leading edges to direct the flow of air efficiently under the car.The Civic diesel rolls on 17-inch alloy wheels. A spoiler is integrated into the tailgate too, while daytime running lights increase visibility to oncoming traffic.As a member of the latest Honda Civic family, the DTi-S has earned a top five-star safety rating and includes Honda’s pedestrian protection system featuring windscreen wiper pivots designed to break away on impact, energy absorbing front wing mounts and bonnet hinges, as well as an unobstructed area beneath the bonnet allowing greater space for deformation.The MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension ironed out all but major blemishes in the bitumen while the steering, with a ratio sharpened from 15.5 to 14.5 compared with the standard Civic Hatch, provided better response and a more positive feel to driver input through the many twists and turns of the mountains.Disc brakes all round, the front ventilated, hooked up to an anti-lock braking system with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, pulled up the Civic confidently on steep descents, while hill start assist had the car setting off on inclines without rolling backwards.All this was accomplished with a minimum intrusion of engine and road noise into the comfortable cabin. With the humans ‘refuelled’ at a delightful lunch stop at Leura, it all added up to a particularly pleasing day out.Aerodynamic shape of the body is a feature of all Honda Civic models, the aero package is now complemented by a very economical turbo-diesel engine.

Honda launched its first diesel this week, the aptly named Civic Hatch DTi-S. Like other manufacturers before it the Civic diesel is available with a manual transmission only, at least for the time being there is no auto, we're told.That's going to weigh heavily against the car's longterm chances of success, but you've got to start somewhere. Of note, Honda is one of the few makes to offer both diesel and hybrid versions of the same model (in the same market). Other players, notably Toyota, have placed all of their economy eggs in the one hybrid basket.The Civic Hatch DTi-S is priced from $26,990 plus on road costs. It's better equipped than the VTi-S petrol model, with features such as Magic seats, fog lights, daytime LEDs, 17-inch alloys, cruise control/speed limiter, auto lights and wipers, dual zone climate air, tyre pressure monitoring, auto start/stop, Hill Start Assist, ECON Mode and a Multi-Information Display.Bluetooth with phone and audio streaming is also standard, but satnav is not included and not available as an option.The Civic scores a maximum five-star safety rating from the ANCAP organisation, with six airbags and a full complement of safety systems including vehicle stability assist, hill holder, rear park sensors and a reversing camera.The 1.6-litre i-DTEC turbo diesel engine is the first diesel in Honda Australia's range and delivers 88kW of power and 300Nm of torque.It's not as powerful as some rivals with engines the same size, but mated to a 6-speed manual produces more torque which is more important anyway.Fuel consumption is rated at a very low 4.0 litres/100km and it produces CO2 emissions of 105g/km. The diesel is also equipped with auto start/stop that shuts off the engine when the car is stationary plus an Eco mode button that is designed to reduce fuel consumption.The new 1.6 litre engine is light, with individual components redesigned to minimise weight and size. A newly designed lightweight and compact six-speed manual transmission delivers class-leading transmission efficiency, a smooth and accurate feel when changing gears and a new reverse system which delivers improved operation load and quietness.It's chief competitor will funnily enough be its petrol self, because the petrol hatch is cheaper and offers the option of an auto. But if you're after a long distance commuter, this could be the one. It's cheaper than its hybrid siblings and manages to outgun all of them in terms of fuel consumption even the smaller Jazz hybrid.Confining the field to Korean/Japanese rivals, you could also take a look at the Mazda3, Hyundai i30 and maybe the Kia Soul not to mention Ford Focus or Holden Cruze (plus a swag of Euros). The Mazda is manual only too, but the very good i30 offers an auto and takes some beating.Likeable. Gets moving quickly after an initial hesitation and the shift, though manual, is extremely light and easy to use. A shift indicator prompts the driver to change gear at the appropriate moment to maximise economy.If you're not stuck in traffic frequently, then changing gears shouldn't be a drama  but give it some thought otherwise. To take advantage of the the auto off function, you need to take the car out of gear. If you're lazy like me and keep the clutch pushed in, then it's not going to shut down. Also, lifting off prematurely in anticipation of the lights changing disengages the system.The striking design of the European designed hatch sets it apart from others. It's quiet and comfortable, with cloth seats and big, easy to use controls. But the diesel is certainly noisier than a petrol engine even though it features active noise cancellation technology in the cabin just like a seat of headphones.The car has a sporty feel with direct steering and suspension that has been tuned to accommodate the engine. And, with a 50-litre tank, it has a theoretical range of 1250km.Honda is one of the few makes to offer both diesel and hybrid versions in the same range. Nothing dull about the way it drives, but as good as it might be, without an auto in the mix  the car is likely to receive limited attention.

It's almost time to take back the hybrid. But before doing so we thought we'd throw in a tank of the good stuff to see whether it made a difference.Although 98 RON Premium fuel is more expensive, it's better for your car and delivers more kilometres per litre. Would it have the same effect in a hybrid car we wondered?Priced from $35,990 the new Multi-Information Display (i-MID) is pretty cool, but unlike the Insight it misses out on satnav which is not available as an option either (different buyers we're told). Bluetooth is standard along with a USB Audio Interface for music players.The 1.5-litre four cylinder petrol engine is the primary source of power, assisted when necessary by a 17kW electric motor. Together, they produce 82kW of power at 5500 revs and 172Nm of torque between 1000 and 3500 revs.Unlike an electric car or plug-in hybrid you can't recharge this car with from a wall socket. The lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery is recharged as you're going along.It uses a claimed 4.4 litres of fuel per 100km, slightly more than the Toyota Prius at 3.9 litres/100km.It's a biggish small car that doesn't compromise on space. The seats are comfortable and the instruments all large and easy to read/use. The styling however is conservative, apart from the multi-layered dash with its large digital speedo set above the other dials.The Civic gets a full five stars for crash safety, with a long list of standard safety gear including six airbags, next-generation Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Brake Assist and a new Motion Adaptive Electric Power Steering.It's surprisingly torquey thanks to the quick response electric motor. The electric motor is designed to provide extra oomph during acceleration, but once you're up and running it cuts out as the system goes into charge mode.Drive is to the front wheels through a CVT continuously variable auto with its characteristic slur. After a couple of thousand kilometres the Civic Hybrid is starting to show some real promise.Fuel consumption dropped to a low 5.3 litres/100km and that has something of a halo effect on the rest of the drive experience. After all, the main reason for buying a hybrid is the lower fuel consumption and the lower impact this has on the environment isn't it?The Honda Civic Hybrid offers enough to satisfy undemanding drivers, but those buyers attracted by this car will be more interested in the technology than performance.

Combing the small car market for the ‘perfect’ car can be a daunting task, especially with a seeming bazillion to choose from - the top-selling Mazda3, VW Golf, Toyota Corolla, Holden Cruze, Hyundai i30 and Ford Focus (to name just a few).Sent from Thailand, the ninth-generation Civic sedan tested here joins this teeming mass, as Honda aims to strengthen their credentials down under and regain ground lost after the 2011 Thailand floods. But does this little sedan have what it takes to stand out in this crowd?If you’re tossing up between the Civic sedan and hatch, here are some things to consider. Starting from $20,490 the base model VTi sedan is similarly priced to the base model hatch at $20,650 (with $2000 recently chopped off its price).And the mid spec VTi-L sedan is priced at $23,990, $1500 less than the mid spec hatch. Until this year Bluetooth connectivity wasn’t available in the base model hatch, so if you’re looking at 2012 models this is something to consider. Annoyingly the sedan model doesn’t have a hill holder like the hatch variants.The Civic sedan gets a three year 100,000km warranty and is kitted with 12V auxiliary sockets, four speaker audio system, MP3/WMA compatible CD player, USB connectivity, steering wheel mounted controls, cruise control, coloured multi function screen and trip computer, keyless entry, chrome grille surround and remote boot release.The mid spec VTi-L gets 16 inch alloy wheels compared to the VTi’s 15 inch steel wheels and also receives on/off headlights, a chrome gear shifter and a temporary spare.Both variants have a smooth 1.8 litre four cylinder engine with 104kW of power and 174Nm of torque. We drove both the five speed sports auto and five speed manual driving through the front wheels.It comes with an eco button to reduce fuel consumption but you’ll want to switch that off to get the car really going. The combined fuel economy is 6.8L/100Km and the urban is 8.9L/100km. We only drove the Civic in the city, an appropriate environment for a small sedan and gained 9.4L/100km.We prefer the exterior looks of the Civic hatch, as it comes with attractive daytime running lights that give the small car a more aggressive look. But the sedan option is cheaper and has attractive sweeping lines, a chrome grille and the VTi-L's 16 inch alloy wheels are impressive.On the inside the light grey seat upholstery, thought by our passengers as “styled by grandma” is outdated and doesn’t suit the modern dashboard with up-to-date features like push start button and speed dependent display. But on a positive note everything is laid out well on the dashboard and the equipment is simple to use.The interior space is appropriate for a small family but long-legged teenagers probably won’t appreciate the back seat space. The sedan gets 40 extra litres of boot space compared to the hatch’s 400 litre capacity.It comes with dual driver and passenger airbags, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability control with passive steer assist, traction control and engine immobiliser.The Civic sedan has excellent sound insulation, as hardly any road noise enters the cabin. The suspension is also worth a mention, as it glides well over bumpy roads.Both the auto and manual only come with five gears that don’t handle speeds over 80km/h well, so a sixth gear would come in handy on highways. And the auto often doesn’t shift gears well, resulting in reduced power. We recommend the manual, as you’ll have a more enjoyable drive. The manual gear box is precise with easy to find gears that change smoothly.The sedan is a good contender in the small car market, trampling its sibling the Honda City sedan in drive train and exterior looks. While there is room for improvement, especially in regards to interior styling, the Civic sedan makes up for it in price, comfort and drivetrain.

Honda took a sales hit in early 2012 after the 2011 Thailand and Japanese natural disasters. The Japanese car giant hopes to gain lost ground with new models like the ninth generation Honda Civic five-door hatch that landed on our shores in June.The Civic four-door sedan comes from Thailand but the five-door hatch VTi-L tested here originates from the Swindon factory in the UK. Direct rivals include the Mazda3, Holden Cruze and Toyota Corolla all driving through a front-wheel four-cylinder.The base model VTi-S hatch starts from $22,650 (manual) and $24,950 (auto) and jumps up by $5000 to $29,990 for the top spec VTi-L, which is only available in the five speed auto with paddle shifters.The VTi-L gets a reversing camera, six CD player, seven-speaker stereo, subwoofer, 12V auxiliary sockets, Bluetooth and MP3 connectivity, dual air-conditioning, rain sensors, fuel consumption and temperature displays, steering wheel controls and heated front seats.Both variants are powered by a 1.8 litre four cylinder engine with 104kW of power and 174Nm of torque. The official combined fuel consumption for the auto is 6.5L/100km with 155g/km CO2 emissions. The Civic has an eco button for fuel saving that is suitable for start stop traffic. But you’ll want to turn the eco option off on open roads to get the car going.The exterior has a flat nose and a small grille with large slanting headlights. The shark fin antennae, hidden rear door handles and 17 inch alloy wheels (the base model gets 16 inch) give the hatch a sporty look. Honda designed the interior in a “cockpit style” with bucket seats that hug the driver and front passenger. The large speedometers add a racing feel. It also comes with a leather tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel that is a bit stiff. The leather seats in the VTi-L are attractive, while the base model only receives cheap looking fabric upholstery. Although there are five seats, the design is concentrated on the driver and front passenger’s comfort.The legroom in the backseats is tight, especially for 170cm plus passengers. The boot has a capacity of 390 litres and can be increased to 1120 litres with the rear seats down.The VTi-L receives a five-star ANCAP safety rating. Safety features include front, side and curtain airbags, vehicle stability assist, electronic brake force distribution, hill start assist, daytime running lights and front and rear fog lamps.We tested the Civic in its perfect environment – down narrow city streets, around sharp urban corners and through cramped cement parking spaces. And it did the job --  and then some.The five speed auto is easy to drive, requiring little effort from the driver (which may be boring for enthusiastic drivers). However, if you’re regularly commuting in heavy city traffic, you’ll appreciate the seamless gear changes. You can also push the eco button to help reduce your fuel consumption or turn it off for a sportier drive. The front vision is excellent largely due to the thin side pillars that don’t obstruct visibility. However rear vision is lacking, as the rear window is small and the back pillars are broad - the reversing camera assists with this issue.

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 HatchPrice: from $29,990Warranty: 3 years/100,000kmResale:  54 per cent (Source: Glass's Guide)Service interval: 10,000km/6 monthsSafety rating: five starSpare: full-sizeEngine: 1.8-litre 16-valve four-cylinder, 104kW/174NmTransmission: 5-speed automatic; FWDBody: 4.3m (L); 1.8m (w); 1.5m (h)Weight: 1336kgThirst: 6.5L/100km, 155g/km CO2

Mazda 3 SP20 Luxury and Honda Civic VTi-L Hatch go head-to-head in this comparative review.

New technology comes at a price. And at $35,990, the hybrid version of the Civic is the most expensive by a country kilometre. That's $5000 more than the big ticket Sport (everyone likes a sport) but is the extra dosh worth it?It's powered by a combination of petrol and electric motors. The 1.5-litre four cylinder petrol engine is the primary source of power, assisted when necessary by a 17kW electric motor. Together, they produce 82kW of power at 5500 revs and 172Nm of torque between 1000 and 3500 revs.You can't plug it in. The battery recharges itself as you're going along. It's a new Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) number that's lighter and more powerful than the nickel-metal hydrid (NiMH) battery that it replaces.Okay. In a word. There's enough there to satisfy undemanding drivers, but those buyers attracted by this car will be more interested in the technology and fuel consumption. The electric motor is designed to provide extra oomph during acceleration, but once you're up and running it cuts out as the system goes into charge mode.Drive is to the front wheels through a CVT continuously variable auto with its characteristic slur. To the inexperienced it might sound like the car is getting ready to blow up - but of course it's not.It uses a claimed 4.4 litres of fuel per 100km, slightly more than the Toyota Prius at 3.9 litres/100km. We've been getting 6.0 litres/100km.The Civic gets a full five stars for crash safety, with a long list of standard safety gear including six airbags, next-generation Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Brake Assist and a new Motion Adaptive Electric Power Steering.It's a biggish small car that doesn't compromise on space. The seats are comfortable and the instruments all large and easy to read/use. The styling however is conservative, apart from the large digital speedo set above the other dials.The new Multi-Information Display (i-MID) is pretty cool, but unlike the Insight it misses out on satnav which is not available as an option either (different buyers we're told). Bluetooth is standard along with a USB Audio Interface for music players.The Prius of course and perhaps Honda's own cheaper Insight which is slightly smaller but boasts more goodies. You might also like to look at some of the incredibly fuel efficient diesels too. Electric cars at this stage are too expensive.