So, what do we have here … the 10th generation Honda Civic?
Yes, indeed. It carries a proud lineage going back to 1973 and since then Honda has shifted some 23 million Civics around the globe. It’s been in South Africa since 1982 – that was generation two and, of course, badged here as the Ballade.
Good looking car, I must say. Bigger too?
Sporting Honda’s new “wing face” grille, this sedan does look more purposeful than the outgoing model. That sloping roof gives it a bit of a coupé-like silhouette that’s filled with a dynamic mix of sharp creases and curves that all combine to give this Civic a far more aggressive appearance than the last model. I like the large cupped rear light design, too – that together with the pinched boot emphasises that coupé shape.
And, yes, it is bigger – the wheelbase is 30 mm longer and the car’s total length increased by 109 mm. But it’s also lower by 20 mm, which does give it a more planted look as well. Honda claims increased passenger leg- and shoulder-room, as well as a bigger boot, and while we’ve yet to measure it (look out for a full test in our October issue mag), it certainly feels roomier.
Sounds like it’s stepping into Accord territory now…
Funny you should say that. The Accord has now been discontinued in SA and Honda sees this new Civic as, in part, taking its bigger brother’s place. With this bigger, traditionally C-segment sedan now dipping its toes in D-segment waters, Honda reckons it will hook some customers who would usually be looking for an Accord. And it will do this through spec and engine offerings.
There are two engines in the range (both mated to a CVT transmission): a mildly reworked version of the current 104 kW 1,8-litre petrol and a new 127 kW 1,5-litre turbopetrol. The cheaper derivatives get the 1,8-litre and are priced similarly to the outgoing Civic, while the far pricier and better-specced 1,5-litre turbo derivatives will be aimed at the Accord market.
What’s the new engine like then?
Pretty good. There isn’t much turbo-lag and it’s quite torquey with a large dose of that 220 N.m pulling power delivered over a wide rev-range (between 1 700 and 5 500 r/min). Just as well, because it’s the only way a CVT transmission is going to feel even vaguely responsive. Honda SA claims only 20% of previous-generation Civic owners opted for manuals, thus prompting its decision to offer the new model in CVT only. It’s one of the better performing CVT applications, I’ll give it that, but even with seven artificial “gears” or steps programmed in, you’d be hard pressed to describe the performance as sporty.
But isn’t one of the derivatives called “Sport”?
It is. And it’s an optimistic moniker. Only the 1,5 Executive and 1,5 Sport were available to drive at this launch (the 1,8 models have yet to arrive in SA) with the difference between the two being spec levels rather than performance. Above a well-specced interior (with high perceived quality) that includes full leather seats (heated in the front) and a central 7-inch touchscreen display with full connectivity, the Executive model features a Honda Sensing package that includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and forward collision warning.
The cheaper Sport, on the other hand, is distinguished by its all-black grille and rear wing. The latter is an odd addendum, it must be said, given that it offers no extra performance over the Executive.
Someone starting to sound a bit negative?
No, no … look, this is decent car, don’t get me wrong. It is built on Honda’s new platform that will also underpin the next CR-V and Accord … and in the Civic it’s both lighter and stronger than the chassis it replaces. It is certainly a sharper handling thing too, thanks in part to Honda’s Agile Handling Assist tech that subtly brakes the inside front wheel to promote sharper turn-in during enthusiastic driving.
The build quality and underlying engineering seem rock solid and typical of Honda, and the lower, wider stance and rakish profile make for a handsome car. It’s just that I wished the brand hadn’t tagged it with “Sport” and stuck that wing on the back…
So what are its chances?
Look, the C- and especially D-segment sedan markets have contracted sharply over the last decade, so this was never going to be a big seller. Still, sales of the new Civic have been very good in the US (granted, sedans still remain popular in that market) and are up by some 28% as, I recall, Honda SA president Toshiaki Konaka stated at the launch. “I believe South Africa will not be the exception,” was his bullish follow-up.
Honda expects to sell around 60 of these new Civics a month, which is possible, though I suspect it may be the cheaper 1,8s that make up the bulk of those numbers. When you’re talking R100 000 more for the 1,5, at R430k-R460k you’re into Audi A3 sedan and Volkswagen Passat territory, which are both highly regarded vehicles.
Pricing
1,8 Comfort CVT – R330 000
1,8 Elegance CVT – R370 000
1,5T Sport CVT – R430 000
1,5T Executive CVT – R460 000
