Looks
Car makers often facelift their current model and Honda has done just that to the Civic. The Civic has had some subtle tweaks and its bold, angular shape gives it a distinctive personality. It’s a look that won’t appeal to everyone, but our test car received a positive reaction from a large variety of people. The interior feels well put together with a quality feel and, once again, looks distinctive.
Practicality
We’re big fans of what Honda calls the ‘magic’ back seats, the bases fold up like cinema seats so you get extra floor space if you need to carry large bulky items. The boot is enormous, with a practical hidden storage area and the rear seats fold down for extra practicality.
Driving
The aerodynamic shape helps keep things quiet and the Civic soaks up bumps in the road well, giving a comfortable ride. The sixspeed manual gearbox is sharp and precise and the power steering is light and smooth. It all makes for a easy driving experience and it’s a great car for nipping around town in. But the back spoiler cuts across the window (affecting visibility), and you’ll need to make use of the parking camera, included on all but the most basic model.
Safety
It has a full fivestar Euro NCAP crash test rating and is fitted with two Isofix child seat points. You can also add on technology to warn the driver about getting too close to the car in front, blind spots or wandering out of lane along with a system that displays road sign information on the dashboard.
Running Costs
The diesel engines are the most efficient in the range, the 1.6litre diesel gives an impressive 78mpg. The Civic comes with automatic low speed braking which senses if the car is about to have an impact and automatically applies the brakes lowering the Civic by two insurance groups. Honda is one of the most reliable car makers, it scores highly in owner surverys when it comes to reliability and has the best warranty in its class.
GH Verdict
You can’t put a price on peace of mind and that’s what you get with the Honda Civic.
Also Consider
Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus or Peugeot 308
Prices start from £15,975 honda.co.uk
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