Skip advert
Advertisement

Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC

The Civic adds some drama to the class, but can it deliver on its promise on the road?

The excellent new 1.6-litre i-DTEC engine isn’t enough to make the Civic competitive with its rivals. Although this was the fastest and most efficient car here, the confusing dash and lead-footed suspension make it hard to recommend over the more supple Golf or roomy Octavia.

In a market where excellence is the norm, the Honda Civic is easily overlooked. But it’s an intriguing alternative, with its big boot and neat cabin touches, while the brand has introduced an all-new 1.6-litre diesel – with lower emissions and fuel consumption – in a bid to make the car even more attractive.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The British-built hatchback still ploughs its own furrow in terms of design. While the styling is toned down from the previous generation, the Civic is a world away from the saloon-like Skoda Octavia thanks to its short bonnet, large windows and stumpy rear end.

Climb inside, and the dashboard is also radically different to those of the Volkswagen Group models. There’s a low-resolution colour screen on the centre console and dozens of buttons, and while it looks as though Honda has taken a scattergun approach to their positioning, it’s actually pretty easy to find your way around.

The two-level dashboard adds a futuristic touch, but the steering wheel cuts between the displays, and some drivers will need to position the wheel in their laps to prevent it from obscuring the speedometer.

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

The seats are comfortable, although we weren’t keen on their soft fabrics, and while visibility out front is good, the divide in the tailgate cuts through your rear view. Honda has added a windscreen wiper to the rear, but it sweeps the upper part of the glass; you spend more time looking out of the lower section.

In the back, the Civic trails its rivals for passenger space, and the narrow doors make access trickier, too. Still, while the 477-litre boot trails the Skoda’s capacity by 113 litres, a double floor with a deep lower section and a low boot lip give the Civic a practical edge.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Honda’s first diesel – the refined and eager 2.2 i-CTDi – was a revelation, and this new 1.6 i-DTEC is just as smooth, although it’s not that far ahead of the VW Group engine. It’s hooked up to a smooth-shifting six-speed box, and has a healthy dose of mid-range torque.

At the test track, we managed to cover 0-60mph in 10.6 seconds in the Honda – that’s a second faster than in the other cars – while acceleration through the gears was equally impressive.

Unfortunately, the rest of the driving experience doesn’t live up to the engine’s potential. Light steering makes low-speed driving a breeze, but there’s no fun to be had, while unsettled suspension means the Civic isn’t as composed as its rivals over bumps.

Our ES-spec model costs £105 more than the Skoda, at £20,595, and comes fitted with a similar amount of equipment as standard. Emissions are on a par with the Golf’s and slightly better than the Octavia’s, while the six-speed gearbox helped the Honda deliver a best-on-test fuel return of 52.2mpg.

So this 1.6 i-DTEC is clearly the best model in the Civic range. The question is whether it’s a strong enough contender to make an impact here.

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