Skip advert
Advertisement

Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC

Suspension and steering changes make the 1.6 diesel the best handling Honda Civic in the range

Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC front tracking
Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Avg. savings
£2,311 off RRP*
Find your Honda Civic
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

This new 1.6-litre diesel model is the best Honda Civic you can buy right now. It makes the 2.2-litre i-DTEC all but superfluous thanks to its punchy power delivery and excellent fuel economy. Yet while it’s more powerful and more efficient than the new Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI, that car still sets the family hatchback class benchmarks when it comes to quality and refinement.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Honda has at last added a more economical version of the Civic diesel to its line-up, so how does it stack up against capable rivals on UK roads?

This 1.6-litre i-DTEC model is designed to tempt buyers away from the VW Golf 1.6 TDI and Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi, and it looks like a strong challenger. It’s taken Honda a long time to launch a diesel smaller than 2.2 litres, but the new engine’s figures suggest it’s been worth the wait.

CO2 emissions are 94g/km, meaning free road tax and low 13 per cent company car tax. The new diesel also promises 78.5mpg fuel economy, while producing a useful 118bhp and 300Nm of torque.

In comparison, the most efficient 1.6 TDI version of the new Golf will return 74.3mpg and emits 99g/km of CO2, while making do with just over 100bhp and 250Nm of torque. This power advantage is clear on the road, as the Civic is a stronger performer throughout the rev range.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Civic

2021 Honda

Civic

11,350 milesAutomaticPetrol1.0L

Cash £16,995
View Civic
Civic

2021 Honda

Civic

34,293 milesAutomaticPetrol1.0L

Cash £14,132
View Civic
Civic

2021 Honda

Civic

53,421 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £16,206
View Civic
Civic

2020 Honda

Civic

56,000 milesManualDiesel1.6L

Cash £11,000
View Civic

In fact, it’s so impressive that buyers will probably think twice about going for the 2.2-litre. The 1.6 is a lot quieter than the larger engine, but it’s still nowhere near as refined as the Golf’s 1.6-litre.

Advertisement - Article continues below

To accommodate the lighter diesel (which is built in Swindon, Wilts), Honda’s engineers have tweaked the Civic’s suspension and steering settings, so this is now the sweetest model to drive.

The nose-heavy feel of the larger-engined i-DTEC car is replaced by sharp turn-in. The throttle is highly responsive and the steering pleasingly direct.

Until Honda releases its forthcoming dual-clutch automatic transmission, the only gearbox available is a six-speed manual. It’s 7kg lighter than the one used with the 2.2-litre engine and has reduced internal friction, which also helps the Civic to be more efficient.

Prices range from £19,400 for the basic SE model to £23,175 for the top-spec EX. That has all the bells and whistles, but even the entry-level SE version gets alloy wheels, climate control, electric windows and mirrors plus LED daytime running lights. There’s also enough safety kit to ensure a five-star Euro NCAP crash safety rating for the Civic. The problem is that even the entry-level version of the five-door Golf 1.6 TDI is a whole lot more desirable – and it only costs £165 extra.

The Civic is considerably more spacious than the Volkswagen, however – especially its rear seats and boot, which swallows up to 477 litres of luggage. And the Honda also features unique and very practical ‘Magic Seats’, which flip up out of the way so you can carry large objects in place of rear passengers.

But small touches like that may not be enough to tempt the majority of buyers away from the class benchmark – particularly as Volkswagen is planning to launch an even more efficient BlueMotion diesel version of the new Golf later this year.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Honda Civic

Honda Civic

RRP £35,780Avg. savings £2,311 off RRP*Used from £22,500
Toyota Corolla

Toyota Corolla

RRP £22,725Avg. savings £2,345 off RRP*Used from £10,980
Honda Hr-V

Honda Hr-V

RRP £30,935Avg. savings £1,728 off RRP*Used from £17,200
Mazda 3

Mazda 3

RRP £22,065Avg. savings £2,173 off RRP*Used from £8,695
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal
BMW M5 Touring - front action

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal

The BMW M5 Touring is M car royalty, with a thoroughly impressive PHEV powertrain. It’s our Deal of the Day for 29 June
News
29 Jun 2025
Electric car appeal is at its lowest since 2019
Opinion - Kia EV9 GT

Electric car appeal is at its lowest since 2019

From poor electric car sales to crashes in F1, Mike Rutherford thinks its been a crazy few weeks in the automotive world
Opinion
29 Jun 2025
New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught
Skoda Epiq vRS exclusive image

New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught

Every future Skoda will get the go-faster treatment, with the brand also working on making cars sharper and more engaging
News
27 Jun 2025