Known for quality, reliability and driving enjoyment, Honda has built themselves a solid reputation over the decades and one for which their Civic is known. Recently, however, the company has been hamstrung by major natural disasters in both Japan and Thailand, halting the supply of critical components and bringing production to a grinding halt. Here in South Africa, the result has been no Civics available since around March last year. Fortunately the company is slowly getting back on track and this, the ninth generation Honda Civic sedan, in some small way, should signify the beginning of a comeback for the Japanese brand locally.
The new Honda Civic will initially be available in a sedan body style, with the 5-door hatchback to follow towards the middle of the year. “The Civic sedan has been a cornerstone model for Honda for many years,” explains Graham Eagle, director of sales and marketing at Honda Motor SA. “The all-new 2012 model represents an exciting new chapter in the Civic odyssey that captures the success and spirit of the previous generations, but brings about significant improvements in every sphere.”
While the Civic may not look too dissimilar to its predecessor, overall the Civic now looks sleeker in profile, wider in its stance and sharper, thanks to pronounced character lines. The new Civic’s styling places it firmly between the smaller Ballade and larger Accord, as a natural progression in Honda’s family sedan line-up.
Beneath the sheetmetal numerous changes and new technologies give the new car a different character, with a focus on safety and driving dynamics. Inside, the Civic retains the split-level instrument layout, which is a ‘like’ or ‘loathe’ affair for many, but can’t be faulted for its clarity. A new addition to the layout is that of an intelligent multi-information display for the vehicle information, multimedia entertainment and connectivity features. Depending on the model, this is complemented by the likes of Bluetooth, auxiliary and USB audio connections, and a fully-featured multi-function steering wheel. The new Civic features all the tech one would expect in this segment, but falls a little short on its packaging, due to plastics that look and feel cheaper than expected.
Contrary to the trend that sees every new generation of a model grow in size, the Civic has actually shrunk slightly, by 15 mm in overall length and rides on a 30 mm shorter wheelbase. Improved interior packaging, however, means that passenger space has increased in all key areas, including an additional 75 mm of shoulder room and an extra 40 mm rear legroom. The front and rear seats have also been completely redeveloped to offer optimal levels of space, comfort, support and visibility, although the lack of an adjustable lumbar support is unexpected. Luggage space has also improved over the previous Civic, from 389-litres to 440-litres, which does not go unnoticed. The rear seats can also be folded down in the popular 60/40 split for added versatility.
In terms of technology, the new Civic includes Motion-Adaptive Electronic Power Steering (EPS), combined with Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA). The combination of EPS and VSA assists the driver with oversteer and understeer by regulating braking, engine torque and applying light force on the steering wheel to help maintain control of the vehicle. All models also boast Honda’s ECON mode, a system that recommends the most efficient gear at any one time, with a view to saving fuel and reducing emissions. Models equipped with the 5-speed automatic transmission also feature G-CON, a g-force meter linked to the gearbox, which senses when the car is cornering and will maintain the chosen gear, if the driver has geared down, until it senses the vehicle exiting the turn and accelerating.
The new Civic offers a supple ride despite being 10 percent stiffer and 7 percent lighter. A revised McPherson strut suspension set-up in front and a multi-link configuration at the rear, make for less body roll, as well as a more supple ride. Turn-in is accurate, although the power-steering could do a better job of ‘weighting-up’ at higher speeds.
The Civic is available with either a 1.6-litre or 1.8-litre naturally aspirated engine. The 1.8-litre i-VTEC engine we sampled on launch is willing and pulls strongly to the 6 750 r/min redline. Maximum power from the 1.8 is 104 kW and torque peaks at 4 300 r/min and 174 Nm. The 1.6-litre i-VTEC unit develops 92 kW and 151 Nm of torque. Honda claim identical fuel economy and emissions figures for models fitted with their 5-speed manual transmission, specifically 6.7 L/100km and 160 g/km of CO2. When mated to the 5-speed automatic transmission, the Civic 1.6 requires 6.8 L/100km, while the 1.8-litre model requires just 6.6 L/100km.
The new Civic is available in three levels of trim, namely, Comfort, Elegance and Executive. The entry-level Comfort specification includes 15-inch alloy wheels (with a full-size spare), electric mirrors and windows all round. A height-adjustable driver’s seat is standard, as is a tilt and reach-adjustable steering column, MP3-compatible single-CD receiver with speed-sensitive volume control, as well as an auxiliary audio connection. Additional standard equipment includes air-conditioning with dust and pollen filter, an info button on the steering wheel, and speed-sensitive automatic door locks with selective unlocking.
The Elegance spec level adds 16-inch alloy wheels, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and seats, as well as hands-free Bluetooth cellphone connectivity, iPod and USB slots, a multi-function steering wheel, cruise control with speed limiter, and automatic climate control. In range-topping 1.8 Executive guise, the Civic is kitted out with chrome door handles, front fog lights, electric folding mirrors, paddle-shift controls for the automatic version, Vehicle Stability Assist, a tyre deflation warning system, auto headlights and rain-sensing windscreen wipers.
First impressions suggest a safer and more ‘thoughtful’ vehicle in terms of Honda’s focus on driving dynamics and passenger comfort, however, it may find itself trailing in the perceived quality stakes against competitors like the Volkswagen Jetta and Ford Focus. A reputation for solid build quality means Honda has set themselves high standards which, in the case of this latest Civic, could prove them to be victims of their own success.
| Pricing | (incl. VAT and CO2) |
| Honda Civic 1.6 Comfort M/T | R209 900 |
| Honda Civic 1.6 Comfort A/T | R221 900 |
| Honda Civic 1.8 Comfort M/T | R229 900 |
| Honda Civic 1.8 Comfort A/T | R241 900 |
| Honda Civic 1.8 Elegance M/T | R259 900 |
| Honda Civic 1.8 Elegance A/T | R271 900 |
| Honda Civic 1.8 Executive M/T | R269 900 |
| Honda Civic 1.8 Executive A/T | R282 900 |
Prices include a 5-year/90 000 km service plan and 3-year/100 000 km warranty. Service intervals are every 15 000 km.
