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Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC EX GT

We get behind the wheel of the range-topping, petrol-powered Honda Civic

Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC EX GT front tracking

Text: Sam Hardy / Photos: Pete Gibson

November 2011

The new Honda Civic has already impressed in diesel form - but how does it fare in 140bhp 1.8-litre petrol guise? Auto Express took a test drive in the new Ford Focus rival to find out. 

Costing from £17,995, the 1.8-litre engine now has 2bhp more than the old Civic, while despite having a more robust starter motor to cope with the demands of a new fuel-saving stop-start system, it actually weighs a bit less. 

Video: watch our video review of the Honda Civic

 

Like all i-VTEC engines it has to be revved hard to deliver its best, but even if you extend it to the 6,500rpm redline, it never feels particularly fast – 0-62mph takes just under 10 seconds – and it's rather noisy too. 

Compared to the gutsy small turbocharged engines found in the VW Golf and the Ford Focus, the Civic feels flat and unresponsive at low revs – peak torque of 174Nm arrives at 4,300rpm – and you can often find yourself being caught out.  

It is pretty efficient though. Honda claims 46.3mpg for the fully-loaded flagship EX GT we tested, making the Civic almost as economical as a 148bhp 1.6 EcoBoost Focus. The six-speed manual gearbox is precise and slick, while the engine is hushed when cruising on the motorway. 

As for the rest of the ninth-generation Civic, it's a case of a thorough overhaul rather than a revolution. The body doesn't look much different to the old car, but it is more aerodynamic, while the cabin has been subtly updated with higher quality soft-touch materials and more logically laid-out dashboard dials.

The biggest improvement is to the ride. Thanks to re-tuned suspension with fluid-filled rear bushes, the Civic soaks up bumps more easily. New electric power steering and a super-stiff rear trailing arm (stiffer than even the old Civic Type-R) help make the Civic an agile, grippy and fun hatchback.

Overall, a Ford Focus is still sharper and a VW Golf is more refined and comfortable, but the Civic strikes a better balance than its predecessor. 

It's a shame then that some of the old car's problems have been carried over. Despite completely redesigning the rear end, including lowering the bar that splits the rear window (and adding a wiper), it still interferes with rearward visibility. And those rear pillars are so thick they make reversing tricky. 

Jazz-style 'magic' seats are a welcome carry over though. They flip up cinema-style and fold flat easily, while there's decent room for adults in the back and a class-leading 487-litre boot with a twin-height floor. There are other neat touches too like dashboard dial rings which glow different colours when you drive economically, just like in the Insight hybrid. 

Equipment is pretty good too. Even basic SE-trimmed cars get climate control, an ECON button (which tweaks the throttle response to boost economy), stop-start, alloy wheels and LED daytime running lights. For SE and ES-trimmed models you can add Bluetooth and sat-nav for an extra £995. The pricey EX GT had everything you could ever need, and the only options available were big car gadgets such as adaptive cruise control and a collision mitigation system. 

We wouldn’t go for the 1.8-litre petrol version though – we’d have the 2.2 diesel or wait for the cheaper, more economical new 1.6-litre diesel, which arrives next autumn.

For an alternative review of the latest Honda Civic visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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11 Comments

A bit half-hearted

This doesn't seem to move the game on by much. I feel the Civic is going to have it's work cut out competing against the Focus, Golf, etc. There are also more new competitors just around the corner - Audi A3, Volvo V30, etc. Some generous discounting might be in order!

By CrystalBall on 2 November, 2011, 6:48pm

£24k for a revamped old shpe civic are you kidding !

i would not dare.

By BEREAL on 2 November, 2011, 11:16pm

Confused

So it is not sharp like Focus and it's not refined as the Golf? If it is best of both worlds, surely this is better? Does your statement mean the Focus is sharp, refined and all round better, or is the Golf the answer to all our questions?

Where I prefer the Civic, is the packaging and in practicality. There are no cars on the market like the Civic to blend all these attributes. The new Diesel engines are going to be superb, especially with a power hike, reduced emissions and running costs.

I have the current Civic, I chose this over all the other alternatives for its practicality, and it's superb for this. I will grant that the current car has dreadful ride quality and perhaps not as well built as the Golf, but is a much bigger and spacious car.

By f1moh on 3 November, 2011, 8:46am

24,495 ????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!

is this a joke??

By kirra1 on 3 November, 2011, 9:23am

Appealing however,

The new Civic appears to be an expensive car. As much as I like what I see, I really dont think I would be spending the amount of money mentioned above on one....

By cousins11 on 3 November, 2011, 12:49pm

Its gonna struggle...

Dont know whether its currency issues or not... But not competitive enough list prices for this Civic...

Think Honda are gonna have to rely upon the Jazz for UK sales and put a diesel and a Sport 1.5 into the range...

Mazda gots a 12995 Three (3) for sale and thats got to be a better buy at present in the Jap Focus seg hatch sales stakes...

Honda your Civic range should be a £13 - 20K car max!

By LegioIXHispana on 3 November, 2011, 4:45pm

Are we paying for the problems in Japan?

Prices quoted are nonsense. I'd not buy a Civic at those sums.

Mind you, the Jazz is not exactly cheap either - not to buy and not to service.

Car makers do know about the recession? Their dealers do, they are never off the phones, e-mail and post.

Waken up: I'll keep my Honda Jazz Sport (not really sporty but top spec and nippy).

By billae on 3 November, 2011, 10:16pm

Expensive

Expensive, but why compare a Honda to a Ford? Ford is crap! Major problems, and you are on your own with a Ford!

By leatherland on 4 November, 2011, 1:05pm

And still they plod on

I admire Honda for persisting with normally aspirated screaming engines,when most other manufacturers have now moved to using Turbo's to give their engines extra torque,power and economy.

By nickbsmooth on 5 November, 2011, 3:23pm

Blimey, give it a break

Ok, so it's looks are a matter of opinion, and I can't see an improvement here, front end is all over the place and it doesn't push the game on enough design wise. However you are getting a supremely hassle-free, fine driving and practical mid sized car. And it isn't a Focus or a Golf.

Compare this to a new C4, 307, Auris, Megane, Leon, even a Giulietta, Astra this would win, surely?

By JFalck on 10 November, 2011, 7:17pm

nickbsmooth - why do you admire sticking with normally aspirated engines? you said yourself if you put a turbo in you get more power, torque and better economy....seems like a no brainer to me.
as for this Civic - its a neat alternative to a golf, and at least has more character than VWs hatchback does. But agreed - too pricey for a 5 door hatchback.

By AJD_84 on 14 November, 2011, 6:16am

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Pictures

Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC EX GT front tracking
Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC EX GT rear tracking
Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC EX GT dash
Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC EX GT rear lights
Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC EX GT badge
Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC EX GT rear seats
Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC EX GT dials
Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC EX GT boot

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FIRST OPINION

    The latest Honda Civic feels like a thorough evolution of an already successful product. Improvements have been made where they were needed – the ride is more comfortable and quality has been boosted too – but there are still some rough edges, while the 1.8-litre petrol is outperformed by the diesel in every way. Of more of a concern is the fact that the new Civic doesn’t feel like it stands out, and while Honda’s loyal customers are likely to be very happy with it, the company could find it doesn’t attract many new buyers.

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £24,495
    Engine: 1.8-litre four cylinder, 140bhp
    Transmission: Six-speed manual gearbox, front-wheel drive 
    Top speed: 134mph
    0-62mph: 9.6 secs 
    Economy: 46.3mpg
    CO2: 145g/km 
    Equipment: Rear view parking camera, leather upholstery, climate-control, Xenon headlights, sat-nav, panoramic glass roof, 17-inch alloys
    On sale: January
     
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