The new generation Honda Civic is the result of the most intense research and development program in the history of the Civic. Therefore, the Japanese brand invited us to go to Barcelona to discover the qualities of this new model: an (even) sportier style, improved dynamic capabilities, a more generous range of technologies, and of course, the new 1.0 and 1.5 liter i-VTEC Turbo engines.
Starting with the exterior appearance, the designers of the Japanese brand wanted to enhance the sporty style of the model, returning to a non-consensual design, but that was not done badly. As the saying goes, “first you get strange and then you get in”.
This more assertive posture of the Japanese hatchback results from the low and wide proportions – the new Civic is 29 mm wider, 148 mm longer and 36 mm lower than the previous generation -, the pronounced wheel arches and the sculpted air intakes front and back. According to the brand, none of this harms aerodynamic performance.
On the other hand, the feeling of width created by joining the optical groups with the top of the grille remains unchanged. Depending on the version, in addition to the traditional halogen lamps, LED headlamps can be chosen – all versions are equipped with LED daytime running lights.
In the cabin, the differences for the interior generation are equally notorious. The driving position is 35mm lower than the previous Civic, but visibility has been improved thanks to the slimmer A-pillars and lower dashboard upper surface.
The new digital instrument panel concentrates more information on you than ever before, and maybe that's why the touchscreen (7 inches) incorporated in the center console is no longer as directed towards the driver as it was on its predecessor. In some elements the choice of materials is debatable (such as the steering wheel controls), although overall the cabin provides a clearly more sophisticated environment.
Later, as is known, Honda gave up its “magic benches” – which is a shame, it was a solution that offered more space for transporting objects with unconventional shapes. Even so, the volumetry of the luggage compartment continues to be a reference in the segment, offering 478 liters of capacity.
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The Honda Civic is available in four equipment levels – S, Comfort, Elegance and Executive – for the 1.0 VTEC version and three levels – Sport, Sport Plus and Prestige – for the 1.5 VTEC version, all with automatic headlamps, adaptive cruise control and Honda SENSING's suite of active safety technologies.Feelings behind the wheel: the differences make themselves felt
If there were any doubts, the 10th generation of the Civic was developed from scratch on a new platform and with increased attention to driving dynamics. So, starting for this first contact through the winding roads of Barcelona and surroundings, expectations couldn't be higher.
Honda were really serious when they said that this would be the Civic with the best dynamics ever. More equitable weight distribution, lighter bodywork with better torsional rigidity, lower center of gravity and a highly competent multi-link rear suspension. The new Civic is indeed! more immersive than ever.
Until the 1.6 i-DTEC Diesel version arrives (only towards the end of the year), the Honda Civic will arrive in Portugal with only two petrol options: the more efficient 1.0 VTEC Turbo it's the best performing 1.5 VTEC Turbo.
The first, a direct injection three-cylinder engine with 129 hp and 200 Nm , surprising for its liveliness even at lower revs, especially when coupled with the 6-speed manual gearbox, which is quite accurate.
On the other hand, the 1.5 VTEC Turbo block with 182 hp and 240 Nm allows substantially better performances (naturally), and despite the loss of 20 Nm when associated with the CVT gearbox (which also happens in the 1.0 liter engine), it ends up marrying better with this automatic transmission than with the manual gearbox.
And if performance was one of the priorities, efficiency is no less important. In a more civilized drive, the Civic is quite balanced, whether due to the absence of vibrations or the engine noise (or lack thereof), or the maneuverability or the consumptions, which are around 6l/100 km for the 1.0 VTEC , about a liter more in the 1.5 VTEC version.
Verdict
The new Honda Civic may have adopted a completely different design, but in this 10th generation, the Japanese hatchback continues to do what it does best: offering an excellent compromise between efficiency and driving dynamics, without neglecting the versatility of use. Looking at the renewed range of gasoline engines, the 1.0 VTEC version equipped with the 6-speed manual gearbox turns out to be a better proposition. It remains to be seen whether this new generation full of new arguments, but with a less consensual style, will conquer Portuguese consumers.
Prices
The new Honda Civic arrives in Portugal in March with prices starting at 23,300 euros for the 1.0 VTEC Turbo engine and 31,710 euros for the 1.5 VTEC Turbo engine – automatic gearbox adds 1,300 euros. The four-door variant arrives on the national market in May.