CIVIC PRIDE
The Honda Civic is no longer boring thanks to it’s striking new space-age styling, says Guy Bird.
Stunning style and a great diesel engine are at the core of the UKbuilt eighth-generation Civic. In a sea of bland-looking small hatchbacks – Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla, Fiat Stilo and even latest generation Golf – the new Civic is a world apart. Its seethrough front and rear grilles plus a swooping bonnet that follows almost the same line as the windscreen, banish the old model to history in an instant. It’s even gets clever hidden rear door handles (an idea nicked from the Alfa 147) to make the five-door look like a sporty coupe.
Inside the centre binnacle resembles a 3D-style video game with the ‘high score’ mph details above it in digital format, while the metal-effect and black plastic materials add to the look. There’s a whiff of 1980s computer graphics about it all – but not enough to be retro. It works.
In terms of flexibility the Civic gets the clever one-touch fold-flat rear seat system already in the Honda Jazz supermini and Accord Tourer estate, but it also gets a new rear seat squab |
This review from FQ MAGAZINE March 2006 >> more
which can fold back to vertical to create more space for tall objects in the process – and perfect for a young child changing clothes at the beach too.
The boot’s clever as well, with a load floor that flips down to create more depth and flipsup just as easily. Buggies will fly in, no problem. There are a few compromises to the sharp styling. The thick smoked plastic and glass spoiler lip in the middle of the rear windscreen does impede the rear view and the rakish roofline will restrict rear headroom for 6ft-ers – but the rear legroom is good and most of the time it will be your kids back there anyway.
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To drive, the 1.8-litre petrol is good, but the pick of the bunch is the 2.2-litre diesel – the same engine heralded in Honda’s advertising as the cleanest diesel around (remember the ‘Hate something, change something’ song and cartoon?).
The diesel Civic is as good as, or better than the VW Golf in the ride and handling department, and although not quite a match for the class-leading Ford Focus, families will hardly notice unless dad tries to lose the car’s tail on corners – not a good move when the kids are in the back.
On costs, a 55.4mpg official average is superb and trounces both rivals. The Civic will cost less in tax for company car drivers too.
All in all, the new Civic now seems to have the lot – cost-effective engines, Honda’s superb reliability record, decent kit levels and excellent predicted used car values when you come to sell it. The Golf’s position as default hatchback of choice for smart young dads looks in jeopardy.
Price £15,900
Engine 140bhp 2.2 i-CTDi
Top Speed 127mph
0-60 8.6secs
Economy 55.4mpg
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