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.
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Dude the old civic had a soft touch dash. And perhaps the better fit of all of its class. You are not paying attention.
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.
...or thereabouts. You could get a Golf GTD (if that's your wish) for around the same money. Not a chance Honda.
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.
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.
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?
@ 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.
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.
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.
I have the 09 2.2EX which engine wise does pull its worth and the tools inside the vehicle are simply amazing but ride quality was poor and after 5 years, now starting to offer rattles. The suspension was truely poor and always has been very hard on the road. Hitting a cats eye felt like you'd curbed the vehicle. Alas I've test driven the new honda ex gt 2.2 and I have to say it is a vast improvement on the old one. I suppose you have to be a civic driver to appreciate the upgrades and changes made althought that said... these changes should of been made in the previous version. Still it's a great new version (in my opinion) and as its a company vehicle, the reduced tax is great news. I have a family of 4 so space is an issue and this was a good selling point in the civic with so much boot space and rear cabin area. The tech in the car is fantastic and my current civic has never let me down from a reliability point of view. Hopefully this will pass onto the replacement when it comes (in white)