Honda Civic 2013 News

Back in 1995, the most popular SUV in Australia was the then-new and pioneering Toyota RAV4, way down at number 43. How things have changed, with SUVs sat at seven of the top-10 spots, and then (mostly diesel-powered) ladder-frame-chassis utes making up the difference. Here are 10 reasons why Australia’s (and the world’s) SUV obsession have made motoring worse than in past decades for people who love cars.

Flares have never gone out of fashion in Japan and the annual Tokyo Auto Salon shows why.

The next time you go into a new-car showroom there is a key word you can use to get the bargaining started.

Having trouble perfecting your parallel parking technique? Frustrated with other motorists who only leave room for something the size of a Smart?Never mind confusing rules to do with side mirrors, or lapping the block several times looking for an alternative, this creative motorist has worked out a solution using their handbrake and the front-wheel drive of their Honda Civic.You probably wouldn't want to do it while the owner of the car in front is watching, or on public roads to avoid stringent 'sustained loss of traction' legislation, but it's otherwise a great solution to a common parking issue.Watch the Civic parallel parking solution video.This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn 

Honda has sharpened the appeal of the Civic sedan by cutting prices across all variants and loading on more standard features.The entry-level civic VTi drops by $1000 for a starting price of $19,490, but picks up the range's new standard kit, including fresh black cloth trim, halogen daytime running lights and an illuminated vanity mirror.There has also been a $700 price reduction on the other three Civic sedan variants – VTi-L, VTi-LN and Sport. The Civic VTi-L now adds in automatic rain sensing wipers and a reversing camera, while the VTi-L and VTi-LN (with satnav) both get a leather-wrapped steering wheel and six-speaker audio system with two front tweeters.A new paint colour, Twilight Blue, completes the upgrades, which Honda Australia Director Stephen Collins says are designed to attract added sales."The Civic is one of Honda's most well-known nameplates around the world. This upgrade in specification and features for a lower price adds even more value to the popular and loved vehicle."Civic sales overall are up 61 per cent year-to-date with 11,564 sales -- largely riding on a refresh for the hatch early this year, which followed a revision of the sedan mid-2012.But while it's gained ground, it sits a fair way behind the leaders Toyota Corolla at 32,039, Mazda3 with 30,781 and Hyundai i30 on 22,499.Variant                RRP           RRP cut   Drive-awayVTi manual          $19,490               $1000    $21,990VTi auto               $21,790               $1000    $24,290VTi-L                     $23,290               $700      n/aVTi-LN (navi)         $26,290               $700      n/aSport                    $30,290               $700      n/aThis reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

That might sound like a silly answer to a serious question, but it's the best solution for optimum shopping in the back end of 2013. You see, Korea now makes better Japanese cars than the Japanese. And that's a fact.There are some exceptions, and some categories where the Koreans are still getting a foothold, but a Hyundai i30 or a Kia Cerato is a far better choice than a Mitsubishi Lancer, a Kia Sportage makes more sense than a Honda CR-V, and a Hyundai Santa Fe is much better buying than a Toyota Kluger.This Korean tide has been rising for a while, but it's now filled showrooms with quality cars that are backed by industry-leading five-year warranties with capped-price servicing costs. The two Korean juggernauts are also serious about tuning their cars for Australian drivers and roads, which is becoming a serious selling point and also a battlefield for bragging rights between Hyundai and Kia.Even Daewoo, which was absorbed into the Holden empire to provide cut-price cars such as the Barina and Captiva, is now doing a better job as the engineering and design expertise from Fishermans Bend is absorbed deeply into the Korean content on the cars. And don't forget that the Aussie-made Cruze compact, despite its local tweaking and assembly in Adelaide, began its life at the GM Daewoo division in Korea.Without getting into a history lesson, the seismic shift between Japan and Korea comes down to three things. First is the deep-seated rivalry between the two countries, second is the well-lit path to success blazed by Japanese makers including Honda and Toyota, and third is the Global Financial Crisis. How's that?Well, nothing makes a Korean businessman happier than beating a Japanese rival, even though the Japanese were the first Asian companies to achieve success in motoring thanks to cars like the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and the classy machines that followed. These days, the Nissan GT-R is a legend and the Toyota LandCruiser is an icon.So the Koreans assimilated the Japanese business model for cheap, reliable and sensible cars - think of the Hyundai Elantra and Kia Rio - and then found a way to build them with similar quality at a lower price. There was a time when the cabins of Korean cars stank - because of the 'release agent' applied to plastic parts - and the assembly was slipshod and downmarket, but not today. They also have aircon with Japanese efficiency, always a pointer to intelligent engineering in Australian weather.But it's the GFC which has made the biggest difference. While the Japanese brands panicked, cutting costs and stretching the lifetimes of their cars, the Koreans accelerated their development plans, brought new models, and invested in their dealerships in Australia.The results are obvious now as many Japanese cars - we're talking about the Honda Civic and Subaru Impreza - have lost their previous edge, while others - think Mitsubishi Pajero and Subaru WRX - are way overdue for a remake.In the meantime, Hyundai is now plotting a move upmarket with its luxury Genesis models and Kia is setting a global standard for quality styling thanks to its recruiting of design genius Peter Schreyer. Best of all, when you're buying, it's the driveaway pricing that's been a Korean signature since Hyundai blazed that trail in the 1990s to get nervous shoppers over the line.This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover 

The Honda Civic Hybrid has received technology upgrades, leather trim and two new colours... and a new price of $33,990 (flat paint). Honda's second-generation Insight has also been repositioned, with VT-i price reduced to $26,990 (flat paint) and the VTi-L to $30,490 (flat paint).The current Civic Hybrid receives satellite navigation with SUNA live traffic updates, DVD player, reversing camera with guidelines, Smart Entry and push-button start, daytime running lights and vanity mirror illumination. It also features leather seats in a grey trim and has two new colour options: White Orchid Pearlescent and Carnelian Red Pearlescent ($575 for metallic and pearlescent paint).The five-door Honda Insight hatch with its intuitive cockpit and dual-zone dash features a CVT for smooth and responsive acceleration, Creep Aid System to prevent roll-back momentarily when starting on an incline and of course Honda's unique ECON button with ECO Assist, helping the driver get the most out of each tank of petrol. 

Honda’s new diesel Civic Hatch DTi-S will hit our shores later this year, but will only come in manual. In a market where drivers are deserting manuals in their rush to automatic transmissions, the lack of an auto might hinder sales, but Honda Australia says it has no other option on offer. “The reality is there is no automatic available for this car,” Honda spokesperson Melissa Cross says. “If there was one, we would definitely make it available here.” The possibility of Honda producing other diesel transmissions for this model however, could still be in the pipeline. The new Civic hatch -- expected for release around April at a starting price of $26,990 -- will be the first diesel in Honda Australia’s range. The car will be the first released in Australia that will feature Honda’s new, lighter engines. The new hatch is powered by a 1.6-litre i-DTEC turbo diesel engine, which will output 88kW and 300nM of torque. The new engine is a complete redesign from the previous model, which was a lot heavier and had a larger carbon footprint. The new model’s CO2 emissions are expected to be as low as 105g/km, with a fuel economy of 4-litres/100km. Standard features will include 17-inch alloy wheels, hill start assist, auto headlights and wipers, dual zone climate control, ECON mode, and a five star ANCAP safety rating.  

Fierce rivalry in the bubbling small-car sector has led one player - Honda - to take the knife to its Civic hatchback prices. One version has had $4500 wiped off its sticker price compared with the sa

China is clearly on top of the car world in 2011.