Honda Civic: Edgy Almond Eyes

28 January 2019 Redazione News, Tested

HONDA CIVIC

EDGY ALMOND EYES

Words by Andrea Balti

Photos by Bartolomeo Lazzarini

Released during the first quarter of 2017, the latest generation Civic has consecrated the Honda hatchback as one of the best proposals in its own segment. We are talking about the so-called 5-door version, characterized by a streamlined and modern design, clearly more convincing than that of its previous generations. What the Japanese company has focused a lot on is the habitability and the ability to meet the needs of a family that does not want to sacrifice space, still not compromising overall dimensions that could result in greater difficulty into the city. More than 15 centimeters longer than before (452 cm in total) and 143 cm higher, the Civic 5-door has put in place all the experience accumulated over the years and offers a starting price of € 22,000 for the smallest 1.0cc petrol. We have tested the top of the range in terms of diesel engines, a 1.6cc 4-cylinder engine Executive Premium, which lacks very little to be envied by models typically more noble as those coming from the old continent.

Be careful though, because one of the aspects that make the Civic an excellent car lies in the fact that it does not want to look like any other and that’s why the edges and protrusions, particularly apt in the optical groups – both front and rear – make the design of the Japanese hatchback recognizable in the midst of a thousand. The black of the body slims as much as possible a car that does not hide the large load capacity of the luggage compartment (478 liters) and plenty of space for three rear occupants. You can see it from the side, where designers have done their utmost to make their shapes slimmer, helping themselves in this case with darkened rear windows. If aesthetically the new Civic is very interesting, once set foot in the cabin you immediately recognize a typical Japanese style, with predominance of rigid plastics, big buttons and a more than accurate 7-inch touch screen in the middle of the dash.

The transmission is manual, which means that in addition of having the third pedal and manage the 6 gears (instead of the 9 of the automatic transmission) you will notice more easily how the dynamic appearance of the car is aimed at the driver. Silent while driving and precise when cornering, there is excellent visibility all around and you can also rely on parking cameras at the back, now very important also on cars designed to facilitate everyday life. Despite not representing a miracle, the dashboard is precise, well assembled and perfectly free from noises, offering a relaxed cohabitation in any situation. The engine then, a diesel 4-cylinder with 120 hp, provides 300 Nm of torque to the front axle, which will not make it a race car, but allow you to take overtaking without any huge problems. Thus we arrive at one of the focal points of the model, fuel consumption, with a surprising result that does not differ much from the numbers declared by the brand. We have in fact obtained an incredible 3.6 l/100km (28 km/l), but keeping a rather thrifty pace and exploiting the good torque of the engine. With a use not necessarily devoted to fuel economy, you must take into account at least 4.5 l/100km, which are still a good result. The diesel proposals of the Civic 5-door starts at about € 1,400 more than the entry level with a petrol heart (and therefore € 23,900) with the only option of the 1.6 with 120 horses. Depending on the specifications, you’ll find yourself close to € 29,900 for the Executive model, such as that of our test and exceeding 30,000 (€ 31,000) if you need the automatic transmission.

In short, the new Civic can be defined a bargain when you look at the bottom of the price list, but starting to comb through the options you climb quickly and the final figure becomes relevant. It must be said that the quality, the long-distance savings in terms of fuel and its personal look help to avoid distorting the nose and justify without effort the final price. If you want to exaggerate, remember that at the top of the food chain sits the Type-R, the violent and boiling 2-liter hot-hatch grounding 320 horsepower, but that’s another story.

HONDA CIVIC 1.6 EXECUTIVE PREMIUM

Layout – front-engined, front wheel drive

Engine – 4 cylinder 1.597cc – turbodiesel

Transmission – 6-speed manual gearbox

Power – 120 hp @ 4.000 rpm

300 Nm @ 2.000 rpm

Weight – 1.440 kg

Acceleration – 10,7 sec.

Top Speed – 200 kph

Price – from € 28.900