Honda Civic VTi-L hatch 2012 review

There are several sci-fi directions you could go when talking about the styling of the UK-sourced Honda Civic.

Rather than get into some frivolous debate with chatroom dwellers around the globe, we'll just say this head turner from Honda is not short on looks.

Keeping the aesthetic theme of the outgoing car but slicing the price could do wonders for the appeal in this price-conscious end of the market; we're in the Vti-L five-speed automatic hatch.

Value

Explore the 2012 Honda Civic range

• Honda Civic Sport 2012 review
• Honda Civic Sport automatic 2012 review
• Honda Civic manual hatch 2012 review
• Honda Civic hatch 2012 review: road test
• Honda Civic VTi-L sedan 2012 review
• Honda Civic 2012 review
• Honda Civic hatch 2012 review
• Honda Civic VTi-L hatch 2012 review
• Honda Civic VTi-L 2012 review

The new UK-sourced hatch has a sharper price tag to the tune of $4000 over the outgoing model but its features list has not been culled to suit.

The Civic Vti-L has automatic (halogen, not xenon) headlights, rain-sensing wipers, mirrors that are heated, power-adjustable and folding, front fog lights, LED tail lights and daytime running lights, a rear wiper for the expansive rear glass area, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, cruise control with speed limiter and three 12v outlets (two in-cabin, one in the boot) alloy pedals.

And a height-adjustable driver's seat height, heated front seats, a trip computer, insulated windows, leather trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, splitfold rear seat, 17in alloys (although there's only a temporary spare) and a USB/AUX equipped seven-speaker premium sound system with Bluetooth phone and sound system link, but no satnav.

Technology

The Civic gets a i-VTEC variable valve 1.8-litre engine, offering a meagre 104kW and 174Nm from 95RON fuel. The long-serving i-VTEC system picks between two cam profiles according to what demands are being placed on the engine to give it a bit more flexibility but the powerplant is definitely aiming for frugal fuel use - it claims a 10 per cent improvement over the outgoing car.

The five-speed automatic gearbox is smooth and has a Sport mode and paddleshifts (it will hold a gear too) but you'd have thought six-speeds might have been forthcoming in a 2012 car. The driver can play with the economy mode of the car's throttle and climate control system - which also has blue (thirsty) to green (economical) dash lighting to encourage more frugal driving.

Design

Unlike some of the current Honda range, you can't call the new UK-built hatch boring, conservative or plain. Lower and wider than the outgoing model, the nose is aggressive and its flanks have some curvy lines to catch the light, but the rump is a little unwieldy. The high back probably works for the aerodynamic engineers and the rear visibility is improved by the extra window, but it's not as pretty a beasty from the rear. 

Most drivers (except perhaps the shorter pilot) will get plenty of forward vision through the large windscreen but rear-three quarter isn't as good - sensors teamed to the camera would make life a little less daunting in a close-quarter car park situation. The cargo space - which includes the area inhabited by the rear seats - is flexible and spacious.

Safety

The Civic makes plenty of its solid construction and safety rank - it gets five stars from NCAP - and has dual front, front-side and full-length curtain airbags, stability and traction control, anti-lock brakes with brake assist and a tyre pressure deflation warning system.

Driving

Apologies for borrowing from a weight loss company, but this car is light and easy to drive. But any expectation of spirited performance is unlikely to be met as its no firebrand masquerading as a shopping trolley. That's not really a criticism - for metro running and kid-carting, the Civic is a useful conveyance. 

The seating is comfortable and flexible, there's enough cabin space and storage for occupants to get comfy and stow their gear. The good-quality sound system's sub-woofer eats 10 litres of space from the boot, leaving 390 litres, but clever rear seats make the rear load space very flexible.

The dash and instruments are mostly easy to use, although some prefer dials to digital readouts; shorter drivers may have trouble getting a good position to see all instruments and over bonnet at the same time given the steering wheel's location and the dashboard configuration.

Night running revealed plenty of reflection from the instrument and infotainment display, perhaps a deeper cowling might fix that. The dashboard looks like it could display a satnav image but it's nowhere to be seen - unlike much of its competition. Steering assistance has rendered the helm beyond light and not over-run with road-feel - it isn't going to usurp the Honda sports cars of olde for feedback.

Ride is firmer than expected - it did transmit small sharp bumps more than expected but general compliance on the larger ruts and bumps was acceptable. Some of the systems seem overly complex - the Bluetooth menu system is fiddly to set up - and despite being built in a right-hand drive market, the hatch has Euro traits like the handbrake and indicator set up for left-hand drive.