HONDA Civic road tests and consumer car reviews

Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC Si 2009

You won’t find civic pride in our town centres these days, with litter adorning the pavements and our once prestigious municipal buildings left to go to seed, as they are turned into drinking dens for the ’alco-pop’ generation. But you will find civic pride in the driveways of the fortunate owners of Hondas superb hatchback. Some would be tempted to call this cars design ’futuristic’ but the wonderful thing is that it belongs, not to the future, but to the ’here and now’. Unlike many of its ’wannabe’ rivals, it is a true precision instrument tailored for the needs of today’s sensible, but enterprising, motorist. VW’s Golf might be the benchmark ingot of ’Tiger Tank’ solidity but the Honda Civic is the benchmark for chronometric standards of engineering. The owner/driver knows he can depend upon Hondas established reputation, which is second to none. A dreamlike combination of style, performance, comfort, reliability and definite class is available for a price that’s great value at £17,559. Surely this is too good to be true. Well, it almost has you rubbing your eyes in disbelief. How do they do it when you consider that low a spec. Ford Focus costs more than this Honda. It is said that the Japanese habit is to ’hint’ at things rather than being too explicit, so let me lay it on the line. This car, for what it is, for what it does, for what it costs and for what it gives its owner in terms of pride of ownership, is as good as it gets. It might not get you from A to B as fast as a Bullet Train but you’re guaranteed to arrive at your destination with a minimum of strain. In its understated and stylish way, this machine is a veritable temple to technology - a dynamic demonstration of all that is best in the progressive world. The build quality is of the highest order and the equipment list is lengthy - and on this Si spec. car you get climate control, an excellent audio system, half-leather upholstery and, of course, power windows. You even get a refrigerated glove box for storing your chocolate in the summers that we never have. Needless to say, it’s a very practical and flexible five-door hatchback. Hondas respect and consideration for its customers is evident down to the smallest detail. While most of the niceties of design are tucked away in the internal mechanicals, one cannot help but be aware of them every time one switches on the ignition. Beyond the attractive surface lines of this machine and the ergonomically perfect and attractively different interior, there is the beauty and poetry of refined mechanical and technological excellence. A near perfect position was easy for me to tailor on the comfortable and supportive seats, setting the mood for particularly relaxed driving. The 140PS 1.8litre VTEC engine is a jewel to enjoy, revving sweetly and smoothly to take you to speeds up to nearly 130mph - yet at the same time just sipping fuel. I easily achieved an overall 45mpg, which is in stark contrast to the pathetic showings of some ’superminis’ I could name. There’s the finest ’snickety snick’ six speed gearbox in the business, transmitting drive to the front wheels; so piloting the Civic is delightful - whether you’re subsonic or supersonic. It drives so nicely, majoring on that hard to achieve, ideal balance between ride comfort and pin sharp handling. Labour intensive twisty roads that can make a chap perspire in other vehicles become a delight to traverse in the Civic. Poised like a Sadlers Wells artiste, the fluency and composure are so reassuring that one is tempted to be bold. This is just the sort of car that bureaucrats in the bowels of the Ministry for Perpetual Misery would tax out of existence, despite its clean breathing exhaust and super safety gear - not only that, but my test car came in inflammatory Terrorist Red. For Home Counties purchasers, in the past, the hallmark of a cars reliability was the extent to which one could depend upon it for a trip to Scotland. With the Civic one feels that a thousand John O’Groats trips a day for a hundred years wouldn’t be out of the question before one would even begin to hear a squeak of complaint. Sweet as silk, keen as a blade and smooth as cream - Honda just seem to keep pouring it on: and I have to say, ’I like it’. If only the Community Charge could be such good value for money, we might then see the rebirth of those ’Civic’ values we all aspire to, but which are only attainable these days to the fortunate buyers of the exceptional all-rounder that is the Honda Civic. Driving one of these cars is to feel reassured that your needs are being conscientiously attended to, that your individuality is recognised and that you’re afforded due respect for your good sense is seeking such a car in the first place. And all for a price that’s guaranteed not to raise any complaints.

Responses to this review

Shocking, boring, unreadable report. Honda cars are good though - Harry Scholes from England

Honda Civic 2.2 CDti 2008

Great car...the best I’ve had in 15 years of driving. Really enjoy its interactivity and performance. In terms of economy, it is great once you keep yourself from hitting the accelerator too much. All in all a car you should have no problems with and one you’ll enjoy going out to each morning. Have mine nearly a year now and nothing, I mean nothing has even tweaked my attention as going wrong. Most cars can’t do that!

Honda Civic 2.2 CTDI Sport 2006

n the plus side: This car is fantastic to drive, pulls from nowhere, handles well even though it is always fully loaded up. Returns 44mpg, had 50mpg once after doing 70mph along the motorway. Feathering the accelerator helps and not attacking gradients. Love the fact that the headlights behind are lost in the middle of the rear spoiler. I do 3-4000 miles per month and have never have any posture problems. Down side: My car has done 67,000, (30000since July) and has just had a new clutch, brake disks and pads all round at 44,000. Now new tyres, and is in for a new rear wheel bearing this week. Its been costly but fun!!

Honda Civic 2005

Car looks great and has some good gadgets - I like the radio volume going up and down depending on speed of car. However, very poor visibility all round, poor acceleration and very noisy, hard ride and dreadful in recent snow. I had to abandon while other cars were managing to get up a slight hill. Would not recommend.

Honda Civic 2.2 diesel 2006

I’ll keep this short... On the plus sides, great trick seating.. boot space very good, handles superb and looks stunning... Now on the down side... We bought the car from a Honda main dealer in Derby for £10,300 last August (2009). It was a Honda Civic 2.2 diesel, full history, 49,500 miles and basically in mint condition. Now, 4k later, it’s required... 2 new tyres, wiper arms and motor, driver’s side mirror as it packed up, cruise control solaniod, reversing sensor and rear bulbs. But most of all it needs a new clutch. This isn’t a gripe at the car because we love it to bits but its reliabilty and customer service need to be looked at for sure. For instance, even though the car’s still under warranty, Lookers in Derby still want us to pay for the clutch!!!! £1200 after 4000 miles!

Honda Civic 2.2 ex diesel 2007

Had my civic for just over a year and on first glance the car was very good but as you drive it more and more you find its faults as listed below; * suspension is loud and unrefined (problem with bump stops) * Some annoying rattles on dash * hands free microphone inadequate * THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE BEING THAT THE 2.2TD HAS A FAULTY CLUTCH WHICH CANNOT HANDLE THE TORQUE OF THE ENGINE FROM 2000 TO 4000 RPM AND WILL SLIP ON MOST. HONDA WILL NOT ACCEPT THIS AND SO YOU COULD BE CHARGED UP TO £1500 FOR A REPAIR. PLEASE SEE THE CIVINFO WEBSITE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS Because of this I have now sold my civic, hope this helps anyone thinking of buying a diesel civic

Honda Civic 2008

I agree with the mpg figures. I struggle to reach 46 unless I drive at a steady 56mph. Once I get onto a motorway it is 44 mpg.

Honda Civic 1.4 2002

I bought my car in Dec 2002 new after my test drive, I thought the gear lever was amazing for my frozen shoulder. Had owned 5 Toyota’s before so expected good reliability from a Japanese maker, although my first Honda. Very impressed. Have had about 7 years faultless, no problem ownership. Car is spacious inside, dealt with 35 mile morning school run with 4 passengers including 3 leggy teenage boys in back with no problem and all their school bags and musical instruments. Very much aided by no transmission tunnel. (Why have Honda changed this?) Still love driving my car and at only 57,000 miles on the clock might just keep her for a while yet. My husband has Toyota Yaris (05) and the build quality is nothing like my Honda. Will definitely look at Honda again when I have to say goodbye.

Honda Civic 2.2 Diesel 2007

This is my wife’s company car, thank goodness. If we’d bought this I’d be really hacked off. I think this is a seriously flawed car, and potentially dangerous. As follows: general visibility awful and rear visibility appalling (I know some one who had to change their route to work as he couldn’t see to pull out at a junction!), not helped by no wiper to remove rain on the daft rear screen, very harsh ride and noisy too, poor access as people including myself/wife keep banging heads getting in, can’t get 47 mpg. Over 20k miles on all types of route (54 advertised), poor boot space, air con very noisy and complicated. The good points: very torquey engine minimises gear changes and gives good acceleration. Overall I wouldn’t touch one again and recommend a very long test drive to weigh up if it suits you. Goodness knows what the design team was thinking of when this was approved!

Responses to this review

Poor boot space you say? Strange comment as it has the biggest boot in its class by far, boosted by the wonderfully flexible "magic seating." I do wonder if you are talking about the same car. You keep on banging your head getting in? That says more about you I'm afraid than the car design. Visibility awful, suggests that your eyes need attention and as for the rear view this has proved to be no problem at all for any competent driver. My comments are based on 3 years ownership of a Civic which has proved to be reliable economical comfortable and great fun. You ask what the design team were thinking of well it certainly wasn't someone like you or the type of person you mention that had to change his route because he couldn't pull out at a junction. It would be safer for all if he used public transport - Alan from Sussex

I totally agree with whoever Alan from Sussex is. The civic is a fine car, This man Arthur, must need his eyes tested because the visibility is perfect. You know what to do if its so bad, GET RID OF IT - Ciaran from County Antrim

Honda Civic 2008

It’s Japanese so therefore quality is as good as you’ll find anywhere. Even being built in Britain doesn’t stop it being one of the most robust cars in its class, and the most user friendly car I have ever had the privilege of owning.

Honda Civic 2001

Great car. Well made. No problems. Only gripe is NO acceleration.

Honda Civic Type R 2005

I have owned a Civic Type R now for three and a half years, and I can safely say without any shadow of a doubt that it is by far the beast car I have ever owned. I get the same thrill driving down country lanes now as I did when I first brought the car. The road holding is absolutely superb, no matter now hard you push the car into a corner it just cries out for more. The six speed gear box means fuel consumption is very good at normal drive speeds giving a respectable 32-34 mpg. Reliability has been second to none with faultless motoring all the way. It is still as taught as the day it left the showroom. Inside there are no squeaks or rattles you would get in some other cars of a similar age, yet again a true example of Honda’s brilliant build quality. The Type R is a car that a person can have even if you are married and need extra family space during the week and still want to have a bit of fun driving at weekends or to take to a track day. The Type R has been at the top of the pile among the hot hatches now for quite some time and shows no sign of letting its crown slip into the hands of the GTI, ST, AND RS’s of this world. And with 2001 models on the market now at sensible money its makes a good fun weekend car too.

Honda Civic 1.8i SE VTEC 2008

Bought my HONDA CIVIC 1.8i SE VTEC manual 2 weeks ago brand new. I have loved every minute of driving it. It is one cool motor that turns many heads, especially as it is a gleaming black colour. Only fault is as many other reports - poor rear visibility and no rear wiper. I have found the drive comfortable with great road handling, acceleration and responsiveness. I have not yet noticed good fuel economy as in the spec and other reviews state? Overall truly the hot hatch to beat on the market.

Honda Civic ES 1.8i VTEC 2007

Have had the beauty for 24hrs and am REALLY happy with it. ; )) My only complaint is no rear wiper.

Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC Petrol SE 2006

Lovely to look at, great dashboard and gadgets are cool! Really nice to drive and responsive, however, required rear suspension replacing 6/12 out of the show room resulting in front tyres replacing at <9000miles and rear brake pads and discs at 14,000, (no warning signs on instrument panel). Petrol cap keeps sticking, requiring return visits to the workshop. I am disappointed at the reliability.

Honda Civic Civic IMA hybrid 2006

I’ve been running the hybrid now for almost 2 years and so far so good. I live in London and this has meant that I have never had to pay a penny towards the London Congestion Charge, the CO2 emissions of the hybrid are only 109g/km. The car is also means low company car tax. I get around 55 - 60 miles to the gallon (my daily journey involves a lot of stopping and starting which is great for recharging the battery but not great for fuel economy...). There are a few flaws - the brakes are too heavy, the engine sometimes sounds strained. This is why I can only give the hybrid 4 stars but any new technology will have its teething problems and I am prepared to accept this. I will continue to go for the greener option when getting a new car and would be happy to first see what new offerings Honda have before looking elsewhere.

Honda Civic 1.6 VTEC 2004

This is precisely what a car should be - well constructed and completely reliable. The variant that I chose was the 1.6, perfect as a small family car, frugal and a very comfortable ride with plenty of head and leg room. The amount of storage space is a real highlight with a roomy boot and fold down rear seats when extra space is required. The cabin controls are well ordered and easy to find and use. What makes the Honda Civic such a good car? Reliability and attention to detail. 5 out of 5.

Honda Civic Vetec i 1.8 Sport 2006

I have only had my car a few weeks but i love it, its great to drive plenty of leg room, two things i have a issue with is no back wiper, and no spare wheel other wise you can’t fault it.

Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC Petrol SE i-SHIFT 2006

I’ve done over 27,000 miles in my new Civic and I have to say I still love every mile I do. Everyone says it’s gorgeous, both inside and out. All the gadgets are great fun and the driving experience is close to that of a journey on futuristic space craft. Aside from the great things, like the super fuel economy (I once managed 51 mpg for a few weeks), and the sci-fi interior, it does have issues. I have the ’automatic’ version, which is anything but. The i-SHIFT gear system is absolutely infuriating and even Honda garages acknowledge that it’s extremely ’difficult’ to drive. I say it’s a BAD gear box, not a difficult car to drive. I’ve had two previous automatics, both Honda, and they were a dream compared to the new Civic. The car often insists on going into 6th gear at the worst possible moments. And I’ve had numerous near misses running out of drive whilst pulling out from junctions finding the car would not come out of first gear. Over-revving warning lights were never meant to be used so much! Still, the thing is, this car is so good, I really don’t care about the gearbox issues. There’s a great paddle shift system for manual operation and it gets me out of any tight spot. It comes with all the gadgets as standard, and even two years after buying I think my motor is still the coolest car on the road.

Honda Civic 1000 1995

No review submitted.

Honda Civic 2000

Very difficult to get original parts and very expensive Also most parts have to be original Honda parts. Honda dealers are big headed in Leicester.

Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC Sport 2007

The Honda Civic is a beautifully built car. This is the most attractive hatchback on the market. The Civic could easily be used in Sci-Fi films, such is its space-age appearance. I chose the 1.8 for the better performance that it offers. The 1.4 is rather weak. Honda have build the interior well with lots of space for legs and shoulders. The build quality is were the Civic really stands head and shoulders above its rivals - everything is beautiful and this helps give the car an extremely refined look. The Civic is great value for money and economical to run.

Honda Civic Type R GT 2.0 ltr

Great looking, fantastic engine, great economy ( 55+ miles to the gallon ). Great car!!!! Highly recommended.

Honda Civic Sport

Performance, handling, economy, style, reliabilty - all 5 out of 5 from me. I am delighted with my choice and will be looking at the new Civic hybrid when the time comes to trade in my existing model.

Honda Civic Honda Civic S 1.8i VTEC

Very reliable family car, easy and enjoyable to drive and offers all the space you need, my only grumble is no rear window wiper, but all in all I’m very pleased with it.