Honda Civic – It’s a nice looking and comfortable car, a lot of fun to drive
The Honda Civic is a radically designed family hatchback built by one of the most technologically innovative automakers in the world. Despite this, Honda has a reputation for conservatism, as its cars have traditionally attracted older buyers, in large part because the exterior design has generally been unadventurous. Not here though, as the Civic combines cutting-edge interior and exterior design with some great engines, excellent reliability, and excellent practicality. This last point is largely due to a cargo capacity that’s far better than most key rivals, but the car’s popularity is also helped by generous trim levels.
It is an attractive and comfortable car, great fun to drive and British made. What more could you want?
Honda should be applauded for avoiding the temptation to tone down the Civic from its previous concept designs.
Triangular fog lights and exhausts, visor-shaped headlights and forward squat profile are present and correct and give it a dramatic and purposeful balance.
Why should buyers of small cars like this avoid dressers like folding mirrors or hidden rear door handles, which make the five-door look like a coupe?
HONDA CIVIC – Did you know?
- The Civic accounts for about a third of Honda’s global sales, and the car was produced in 11 countries and sold in 160.
- When it launched, the Civic had by far the largest trunk of any car in its class. While the typical capacity was around 320 liters, the Civic could accommodate 485 liters.
- While most gasoline engines have only one spark plug for each cylinder, the Civic 1.4 I-DSi engine has one pair of spark plugs for each cylinder.
- When introduced, the eighth-generation Civic received EuroNCAP’s highest pedestrian safety rating.
Honda Civic – TYPES
- September 2005 – The eighth-generation Civic hit showrooms, with a choice of three engines. The entry-level car featured a 1.4-liter gasoline engine (insignia 1.4-DSI), while there was also a 1.8-VTEC unit. Diesel fans could go for Honda’s excellent all-alloy 2.2-iCDTi unit.
- January 2006: A new Civic IMA hybrid sedan was offered, but it didn’t feature the radical five-door hatch styling, even if the technology was more advanced.
- January 2007: A three-door Civic was introduced, in the form of the Type S, which is equipped with a choice of 1.8 gasoline or 2.2-liter diesel engines. A high-spec edition, called the GT, was also introduced.
- March 2007: The Honda Civic Type R went on sale with the same three-door body as the Type S, but powered by Honda’s fabulous high-revving 2-liter VTEC petrol engine to produce 198bhp. Once again, a high-spec GT derivative was also offered.
