Web Spin: Honda Civic VTi-L
Civilised Civic
The eighth generation Honda Civic signals a resurgence in the little car that has carried Honda’s flag for over thirty years.
Honda Civic VTi-L Sport
(Pic: Honda Australia)
Test Vehicle:
- Honda Civic VTi-L 4-door sedan
- 1.8-litre i-VTEC, 103 kW (174Nm) engine.
- 5-speed automatic with Grade Logic Control
- $26,490 as tested
- 3 year, 100,000 kilometre warranty.
Let me be up front. I have a certain bias when discussing the venerable Honda Civic. You see, I learned to drive in a first generation Civic in the early seventies and immediately developed a fondness for the little red 1170cc 3-door hatch our family owned. It sat quietly in our carport, overawed I’m sure, by the fearsome burnt orange XB GT Hardtop next to it.
I remember my dad, a finicky engineer, being mightily impressed with the tight, near-flawless finish of our first Japanese car and the first of four Hondas we would own.
Now
Honda is not your average car company. From modest beginnings as a motorcycle
manufacturer, Honda joined Formula One in 1964 and won two Grand Prix
before seriously beginning mass market car production with, you guessed
it, the Civic, in 1972.
Now in its eighth incarnation, the Civic is entering the history books as one of the world’s most enduring models along with the Model T, VW Beetle, Mini and Citroen 2CV.
Resisting temptation to grow beyond its initial design brief, the Civic has retained its original sense of purpose. The little runabout continues to stand for sound, practical design, economy, low emission, affordability, quality and reliability.
Styling is back on the up after a period of stodgy designs in the ‘80s and ‘90s. The new Civic has something of the look of the larger Accord Euro, with finely chiselled lines and ‘axehead’ profile.
Powerplants are still relatively simple with a 1.8-litre i-VTEC, 103 kW (174Nm) engine replacing the 1.7 litre unit in the superseded model. Despite the extra 15kW, economy figures are still around the 7 litres per 100 km mark, an improvement Honda say, over the last model.
At the sharp end of the range, however, is a 2.0 litre 114kW DOHC apparatus in the Sport model, adding a true factory performance alternative for those who prefer their Civics with extra sauce. Don’t scoff, Civics are a mainstay of Touring Car racing in Japan and South East Asia with a host of hot mods available to racers from quasi-factory manufacturers like Mugen.
At the other end of the performance spectrum is the Civic Hybrid. The tree-hugger version features a little 1.3 litre engine with Integrated Motor Assist (IMA), a clever electric set-up that recharges itself and drives the petrol engine in moments of need like acceleration. Consequently, fuel economy reaches new lows of less than 5 litres/100km. I wanted to get one for this test, but Honda’s PR said simply, “Can’t get enough of them mate. We’re backordered over twelve months!” Price: $31,990
Apart from the shortage of Hybrids, another thing Honda Australia is not happy about is the loss of a hatchback from the Civic range. Most observers agree this will hamper Civic’s sales recovery, even though early indicators show the new model is doing very well without a hatch. The US market has the sporty 3-door and the European market has the ever-practical 5-door, but we miss out.
All models feature a versatile interior, with spacious boot and collapsible rear seats to increase luggage space to almost 500 litres. So, there’s no worry about heavy suitcases, his-and-hers golf clubs or even a wheelchair. Standard equipment includes air-conditioning, power windows, remote central locking, CD player, twin front airbags, ABS and cruise control.
Behind the smart, sporty steering wheel, you’ll notice something of a radical dash arrangement. Gone is the old analogue speedo, replaced by an eye-level digital readout. Not universally approved by the critics, the thinking however, is sound. Instead of having to take your eyes off the traffic, no matter how briefly, speed data is instantly and constantly available. I found the new feature sensible and unobtrusive.
Driving the 1.8 Civic is not going to shock prior owners, instead it will deliver a pleasing sensation of development that reinforces the faith ownership will already have created. Acceleration is smooth and quiet with the engine revving freely but not anxiously. Power delivery is even and predictable throughout the throttle range, with changes in valve timing (courtesy of the i-VTEC) barely perceptible – the little engine just keeps pulling.
Handling is tight and refined, with good driver feedback and a firmer suspension feel that complements Civic’s new “sporty” look. Trusty McPherson strut fronts and double wishbone rears, coupled with 4-wheel ABS discs standard make this car a confident, sure-footed vehicle.
As for me, nostalgic recollections flooded back. I even found an old Uriah Heep CD for the deck. “Easy Livin’” never sounded so good!
We liked:
- Great package. Economical, sporty, practical.
- Excellent use of cabin space
- Easy and enjoyable to drive
We weren’t so keen on:
- Loss of hatchback from range.
- Mixed feelings about new dash.
- Split-fold rear seat would be handy
Standard Features:
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Accessories available:
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Report by Rod Eime.
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