Honda Civic evaluate – Automotive Weblog
We’ve been highway testing the all-new Honda Civic, and it’s no shock to us that it’s been successful awards…
The primary Honda Civic was launched 50 years in the past and it’s develop into a legendary mannequin within the automotive world. Now it’s the flip of the eleventh technology Civic, which is simply accessible as a full hybrid, so there’s no have to plug it in.
Formally marketed because the ‘Civic e:HEV’, it’s an old-fashioned, family-friendly hatchback. Refreshing, when the market is awash with SUVs.
At 4,551mm lengthy, 1,802mm extensive and 1,408mm excessive, the substantial new Civic is the longest, widest and lowest hatchback in its class.
The benefit of the elevated wheelbase over the outgoing mannequin is that it creates additional cabin house.
So, there’s loads of room up entrance, whereas rear passengers have house to stretch their legs, and solely very tall individuals will wrestle for headroom.
The boot is a beneficiant 410 litres, rising to 1,220 litres with the again seats flipped down, whereas the load house is lengthy and extensive.
The inside represents an actual step up by way of high quality and performance. There’s a stable really feel total, the seats are comfy and there are many soft-touch surfaces.
The infotainment system isn’t the slickest, however does the job properly. Most of all, the dashboard just isn’t too minimalist – there are nonetheless dials and buttons for necessities equivalent to local weather management, radio quantity, heated seats and drive mode choice.
On the coronary heart of the most recent Civic is Honda’s intelligent e:hev hybrid powertrain, which is a scaled up model of the system additionally used within the smaller Jazz and HR-V.
In contrast to hybrid programs from most different automobile makers, the two.0-litre engine acts as a generator to energy the battery fairly than the wheels for a lot of the time, so it runs in EV mode as a lot as attainable.
Nevertheless, at increased speeds or underneath heavy masses, it will possibly ship drive straight to the entrance wheels. What’s extra, the e-CVT transmission isn’t a standard gearbox both, however I’ll come to that later.
The naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine (141bhp) is paired with two electrical motors and a small 1.05kWh battery, giving a mixed output of 181bhp.
Official figures inform a lot of the story, with a 0-62mph time of seven.8 seconds and a 111mph prime velocity. CO2 emissions are as little as 108g/km, whereas gasoline financial system is as much as 60.1mpg.
Till the brand new Civic Sort R hits showrooms, consumers must make do with simply the one hybrid powertrain.
Priced from £29,595, the Civic e:HEV is obtainable in considered one of three specs – Magnificence, Sport and Advance.
Entry-level Magnificence will get 17-inch alloy wheels, entrance and rear parking sensors, a reversing digicam, a 7.0 digital instrument cluster, plus a 9.0-inch central touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto performance. Security and driver help options embrace lane-keep help and visitors jam help.
Sport fashions boast 18-inch gloss black alloy wheels, in addition to black door mirrors and window frames. Inside, there’s fake leather-based upholstery and sportier pedals.
The range-topping Advance is handled to 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof, full leather-based upholstery, a heated steering wheel, a bigger 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-speaker Bose sound system.
As soon as inside, it’s instantly clear that you just’re driving a rakish, pretty extensive hatchback. For those who’re used to the raised seating and commanding driving place of an SUV, it might take some time to acclimatise to the brand new Civic.
I really like a low seating place. In reality, I’d have most popular somewhat extra downward adjustment, however total, it’s a relaxed and cozy place to be.
There’s loads of poke, due to {that electrical} help, however the greatest shock is the e-CVT gearbox.
The boffins at Honda have carried out their greatest to eradicate the sudden rise in revs you usually get whenever you put your foot down in a automobile with a standard CVT field.
As a substitute, there are ‘steps’, giving the texture of typical transmission ratios. It’s nonetheless not good, however it’s a big enchancment.
There are three drive modes (Econ, Regular and Sport). Go for Econ on motorway journeys and 50+mpg is definitely achieved, Regular is simply effective for on a regular basis driving, whereas Sport is enjoyable for blasts on tougher roads. The e-CVT works greatest in Regular and Sport modes.
The hybrid system is environment friendly and easy, whereas the regenerative braking could be adjusted. At its strongest setting, it’s nearly at one-pedal degree, slowing the automobile down nearly to a halt while charging up the battery.
The journey is on the agency facet, however not uncomfortably so, however usually it’s an awesome all-rounder – pleased cruising motorways and stretching its legs on extra participating roads.
In reality, the brand new Civic provides a surprisingly agile drive. When pushed, it stays flat in tougher corners, there’s good grip and the steering is properly weighted, which all bodes effectively for the upcoming Sort R.
Awarded a most 5 stars in Euro NCAP crash testing, the Civic is fitted with Honda Sensing (a collection of security and driver help options) which incorporates goodies equivalent to Visitors Signal Recognition, Lane Preserve Help, Adaptive Cruise Management, Collison Mitigation Brake System, Clever Pace Limiter and Auto Excessive-Beam Headlights as customary.
Rivals embrace the Toyota Corolla Hybrid, Kia Ceed, Ford Focus, Peugeot 308, Vauxhall Astra, Mercedes A-Class, BMW 1 Sequence or Audi A3 Sportback.
Verdict: The Honda Civic is a unbelievable all-rounder. A family-focused hatchback that’s glossy, protected, sensible, effectively constructed and economical, it’s rewarding to drive and full of the most recent tech. Add Honda’s fame for reliability and it’s proper up there with the most effective in its class.
