Honda Civic evaluate – Automotive Weblog
We’ve been street 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 turn out to be a legendary mannequin within the automotive world. Now it’s the flip of the eleventh era Civic, which is just out there as a full hybrid, so there’s no have to plug it in.
Formally marketed because the ‘Civic e:HEV’, it’s an old style, family-friendly hatchback. Refreshing, when the market is awash with SUVs.
At 4,551mm lengthy, 1,802mm broad 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 further cabin area.
So, there’s loads of room up entrance, whereas rear passengers have area to stretch their legs, and solely very tall individuals will battle for headroom.
The boot is a beneficiant 410 litres, rising to 1,220 litres with the again seats flipped down, whereas the load area is lengthy and broad.
The inside represents an actual step up when it comes to high quality and performance. There’s a stable really feel general, the seats are snug and there are many soft-touch surfaces.
The infotainment system isn’t the slickest, however does the job properly. Most of all, the dashboard isn’t too minimalist – there are nonetheless dials and buttons for necessities similar to local weather management, radio quantity, heated seats and drive mode choice.
On the coronary heart of the newest 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.
Not like hybrid techniques from most different automotive makers, the two.0-litre engine acts as a generator to energy the battery reasonably than the wheels for a lot of the time, so it runs in EV mode as a lot as potential.
Nevertheless, at greater speeds or beneath heavy hundreds, it may possibly ship drive straight to the entrance wheels. What’s extra, the e-CVT transmission isn’t a traditional 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 high pace. CO2 emissions are as little as 108g/km, whereas gas 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 one among three specs – Class, Sport and Advance.
Entry-level Class 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 site 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 broad hatchback. For those who’re used to the raised seating and commanding driving place of an SUV, it could take some time to acclimatise to the brand new Civic.
I like a low seating place. In reality, I’d have most popular a little bit extra downward adjustment, however general, it’s a relaxed and comfy place to be.
There’s loads of poke, because of {that electrical} help, however the greatest shock is the e-CVT gearbox.
The boffins at Honda have executed their greatest to eradicate the sudden rise in revs you usually get whenever you put your foot down in a automotive with a traditional CVT field.
As an alternative, there are ‘steps’, giving the texture of typical transmission ratios. It’s nonetheless not good, however it’s a enormous 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 more difficult roads. The e-CVT works greatest in Regular and Sport modes.
The hybrid system is environment friendly and easy, whereas the regenerative braking will be adjusted. At its strongest setting, it’s nearly at one-pedal degree, slowing the automotive down just about to a halt while charging up the battery.
The journey is on the agency facet, however not uncomfortably so, however usually it’s an ideal all-rounder – completely satisfied cruising motorways and stretching its legs on extra partaking roads.
In reality, the brand new Civic gives a surprisingly agile drive. When pushed, it stays flat in more difficult corners, there’s good grip and the steering is properly weighted, which all bodes nicely for the upcoming Sort R.
Awarded a most 5 stars in Euro NCAP crash testing, the Civic is fitted with Honda Sensing (a set of security and driver help options) which incorporates goodies similar to Visitors Signal Recognition, Lane Hold Help, Adaptive Cruise Management, Collison Mitigation Brake System, Clever Pace Limiter and Auto Excessive-Beam Headlights as commonplace.
Rivals embrace the Toyota Corolla Hybrid, Kia Ceed, Ford Focus, Peugeot 308, Vauxhall Astra, Mercedes A-Class, BMW 1 Collection or Audi A3 Sportback.
Verdict: The Honda Civic is a unbelievable all-rounder. A family-focused hatchback that’s glossy, protected, sensible, nicely constructed and economical, it’s rewarding to drive and filled with the newest tech. Add Honda’s repute for reliability and it’s proper up there with the very best in its class.
