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Honda Civic 2.2 i-DTEC EX GT

Honda Civic UK drive

New-look family hatch goes big on comfort, but loses the bold styling that marked out previous model

Honda Civic 2.2 i-DTEC EX GT front tracking

Text: Mat Watson / Photos: Matt Vosper

January 2012

Competition is so fierce in the family hatchback market, any new entrant has to stand out. With excellent choices in the shape of the VW Golf and Ford Focus, not to mention upstarts such as the new Hyundai i30 and Kia Cee’d, there’s no room for a me-too product. So how does the new Honda Civic fit into that mix? We got hold of one of the first right-hand-drive cars in the UK to find out.

Since its launch in 1973, Honda has sold more than 650,000 Civics. The previous generation really hit on a winning formula – striking looks, a futuristic yet practical cabin and a fun driving experience. The new model seeks to build on that reputation, while offering a more comfortable ride and a better-quality interior.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the new Honda Civic

 

This time around, Honda has been less daring with the car’s shape. The more you look at it, the more it feels as if it has lost some of its personality.

LED running lights add some show to the front end, but although the shape has been smoothed off and updated, the rear window is still split awkwardly and hampers vision.

What about comfort? Honda engineers have spent many hours testing the new Civic on UK roads, and you can tell straight away their hard work has paid off. New fluid-filled suspension bushes make it much more compliant, so it soaks up potholes well. Big bumps still send a jolt through the cabin, but it’s generally comfier than the outgoing car.

Overall, it feels more grown up. The body may not be as distinctive but it’s far more aerodynamic and, as a result, wind noise is reduced – the Civic is much quieter at any speed.

Quality has improved, too. Out go the brittle plastics of the old car, and in comes a new soft-touch material for the dash. The digital display has also been simplified, but still looks a bit busy. Equipment levels are excellent, even on basic SE-trimmed cars. Climate control, an ECON button (which modifies throttle response to improve economy), stop-start and alloy wheels are all standard. Our EX GT flagship had leather upholstery on its very comfortable seats, xenon headlights, a parking camera and sat-nav.

On the move, the 148bhp 2.2-litre diesel we tested had quite a narrow power band – you need to change gear quickly and often to maintain acceleration – and it sounded a little gruffer than similarly powerful engines from VW and Ford. It’s capable of 0-62mph in 8.8 seconds, while Honda claims 64.2mpg and CO2 emissions of 115g/km, making road tax free in the first year.

Our advice, however, would be to hold out for the new 1.6-litre diesel, which will be even more economical and has sub-100g/km CO2 emissions. This engine is due at the end of the year.

The Civic is still fun to drive on a twisty road. With retuned suspension and a rear trailing arm that’s stiffer than that of the old Type R hot hatch, it’s a pretty agile machine, with decent turn-in and good grip. The new electric power-steering is precise, if a bit light. That’s fine at low speed, but it could do with more weight as the pace quickens.

However, many of the old car’s virtues have been carried over, including the cinema-style rear seats that fold up to allow awkward items such as bikes to slide behind the front seats. The boot is big at 487 litres and has a twin-height floor, although rear seat space could be better.

So is the new Civic much of a leap forward? Sadly, the answer is no. Improvements are small, and although existing customers will be happy, we’re not convinced it stands out enough to attract new ones.

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

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9 Comments

Dude the old civic had a soft touch dash. And perhaps the better fit of all of its class. You are not paying attention.

By giorikas81 on 4 January, 2012, 9:58am

Well done Honda

Yet another piece of uninspiring, dull, drab, lacklustre,lazy,automotive design that we have come to expect from this brand.
How a company like Honda, that produces some of the most reliable vehicles in the World, keep on introducing cars that are the motoring equivalent of the sleeping pill, is amazing.

By toycollector on 5 January, 2012, 7:54am

£27K!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...or thereabouts. You could get a Golf GTD (if that's your wish) for around the same money. Not a chance Honda.

By thorntonjames on 5 January, 2012, 11:38am

Bill. Warrington

What a horrible looking car! I'm sorry Honda but you won't be making great sales with this one. Surely the basis of a decent car is space for occupants, good vision for the driver and quality of build with good economy on the road. Why they persist in blocking the rear window vision I do not know.

By Lortaybill1 on 5 January, 2012, 12:39pm

Hideous

I always hated the design of the previous model - but wow, they have managed to make it worse. Who would have believed it? And it has still got those infantile 'hidden' rear door handles. How blind do they think we are? The shutlines are there for all to see, so the missing handles just make the design look unbalanced. This is a minor issue now though, as the rest of the design is so awful.

By pajbse on 5 January, 2012, 2:24pm

a lemon. [ or is that lime ? ]

but look on the bright side lads, what a stupendously gorgeous colour they saved it with !!!!!!!. i'd say honda sales people are deeeeeeelighted with the prospect?

By brendan on 6 January, 2012, 2:29pm

@ toycollector

Whilst I don't think it's as attractive as the last one, at least Honda do their own thing. It's hard to see where they have copied any other manufacturer with this design, which can't be said for many of the other car makers out there. So to call them lazy is, I think, a bit off the mark.

@ giorikas81 There is also soft touch plastics on the top of the door trims on the old model too.

By sausagehead on 7 January, 2012, 11:23am

Another missed opportunity

This was a chance to make good the backward step made with the poor last model which was slower and heavier than the excellent ep3 it replaced.

Okay the ride sounds improved but that should be a given considering how poor the ride was in the last model. Unfortunately they have not solved the poor rear visibility which is extremely aggravating,

As for the price, have you lost the plot Honda? 26k for a civic is insanity. I am a loyal Honda driver but as with the last model I will be passing on this one.

By oliver144 on 7 January, 2012, 6:44pm

UGLY BUG

I can only agree with all of the other comments posted, this shovel fronted excuse for a car must be the nail in the coffin for the designers at honda. How they can think this can compete in a market and age where image is virtually everything I will never know.

By wilff on 12 January, 2012, 10:09pm

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Pictures

Honda Civic 2.2 i-DTEC EX GT front tracking
Honda Civic 2.2 i-DTEC EX GT rear three-quarters
Honda Civic 2.2 i-DTEC EX GT dash
Honda Civic 2.2 i-DTEC EX GT detail
Honda Civic 2.2 i-DTEC EX GT profile
Honda Civic 2.2 i-DTEC EX GT rear seats
Honda Civic 2.2 i-DTEC EX GT rear seats
Honda Civic 2.2 i-DTEC EX GT boot

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FIRST OPINION

    Honda has at least listened to customer criticism, and the new Civic is much more comfortable than before. It also benefits from a hike in interior quality. But in other areas, it’s hardly moved on at all. While it remains a practical, engaging and economical family hatchback, it’s no longer a head-turning machine. Nor does it give established players such as the VW Golf or Ford Focus much to worry about.

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £26,595
    Engine: 2.2-litre 4cyl turbodiesel 
    Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive 
    Power/torque: 148bhp/350Nm
    0-62mph: 8.8 seconds
    Top speed: 135mph
    Economy: 64.2mpg
    CO2: 115g/km
    Equipment: Cruise control, rear view parking camera, electric windows and mirrors, air-con, USB input, Bluetooth, automatic headlights
    On sale: January
     
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