Honda road test reports and car reviews

Honda Civic 1.8 i-Vtec SE 2010

What a great car; fun to drive, good fuel economy and well built. Would rather have a spare wheel than gunk and a pump, but extra space under boot floor is very handy. Rear suspension can be a bit bumpy, but I forgive it because it holds the road like a limpet coated with superglue. Threre’s plenty of room for 5, but watch you heads on the rear door opening, even when you are aware it can catch you - but I never go in the back so doesn’t bother me. Plenty of performance if you want it, but will happily tootle around and has pretty good torque, so it’s easy to drive and there’s no need to keep swapping gears. Great sound system, but the auto climate makes the car too dry for me so I rarely use it, but it can get complicated to use manual as you have to press a few buttons to get it to do what you want. The ’head-up speed display is worth its weight in gold as it is always in line of sight. Love the shape, but it is the only car I have ever driven where I didn’t know where the back end was and had to fit parking sensors. The rear windscreen spoiler does keep headlights out of the car, and you know when they are too close because their lights shine under the spoiler. Don’t hesitate to buy one, because all round it is a very, very practical car, and it will make you smile when driving it.

Honda Civic 2.2 Diesel 2009

Bought a small Civic diesel expecting excellent mileage compared to my old larger heavier car. At a push I get 42MPG with lots of motorway driving. It only has a 50L tank, so requires many more fill ups, made worse by the ’Miles to Go’ showing zero with at least 10L left. The front seats are very hard and do not have tilt adjustment, so when combined with the heavy clutch makes for very uncomfortable driving. The rear passengers can put their feet under their seats (which is no use), but not under the front seats which significantly reduces the comfort in the back. There is no rear wiper and the built in spoiler is at just the wrong height to obscure the view from the rear window particularly if the parcel shelf is used for any "parcels". The rear door closure is less than firm; if the boot is nearly full any item getting near the door makes it almost impossible to fully shut the rear door. At the end of the day my car is the last to turn on its lights when on automatic, which means it’s pretty dark by then. However, the same gadgetry does not hesitate to turn on the lights in over-shadowed areas thus making the dash board displays unreadable, unless you manually turn up the brightness. At less than three years old the radio and radio display fail on journeys over ten minutes with a full volume bang from the speakers. This is repeated at random intervals for the rest of the journey and cannot be turned off because the on-off button is not a real power switch. The blue tooth operation of the mobile phone is inaudible at the other end on most calls (with a variety of phones). On the outside there is no plastic "side bumper" to deflect the doors from others parked near you, resulting in many minor scratches on all four doors. The thinking for you is also poorly thought out. If you do not leave the car immediately you stop at night you are plunged into darkness. The wing mirror retraction only works with the ignition on - in contrast to the windows that can be closed after that.

Honda Jazz 2006

I recently wrote a review concerning water leaking into the spare wheel compartment of my Honda Jazz. After several weeks of rain and soaking up water, I eventually found it was leaking from underneath the black rubber seal on top of the roof, so I lifted up the seal and thickened underneath with silicone. Problem solved!

Honda Civic 2012

I have had 16 Honda new cars in my time and now have the auto Jazz for my wife and the manual Jazz for myself, purchased 1 yr ago. The average mileage per car is 5,000 miles a year. Having had a test drive in the Civic 1.6 diesel I found it had the same visibility in the back window as the one I tried last year. Honda have improved by putting a windscreen wiper on the rear, which is an addition, but the vision is impaired by the shape. I found the car very comfortable and easy to drive with a very good performance. I have only ever bought new cars and will continue to do so.

Honda S2000 2001

Best car I’ve owned. Had it over a year now and still look forward to driving it everyday. Always looking for excuses to ride and when the sun’s shinning its the only place to be. Hardtop is a nice edition in the winter and enhances the cockpit feel and the lines of the car, but dying for the warmer/dryer weather to revert to the soft top. Vtec is superb and although in my sixties I’m still a boy racer at heart and love to give those arrogant BMers a shock when they sit on your tail waiting to pounce and you roar away. Even the bikers get a run for their money. Great fun and utterly reliable. Love the red START button. Wife now puts hands over her ears when I start to wax lyrical over the S2000. Just get one if you want a sports car with guts and a you’ll have permanent rictus smile.

Honda CR-V Auto Diesel EX 2012

I bought the auto diesel EX model to replace my 2010 model and I have to say its more refined, more economical and gives a smoother drive. It’s a fantastic car and hopefully will be as bullet proof in reliability as my old one.

Honda Jazz 1.2 2006

I bought my 2006 1.2 Honda Jazz in January 2013. I find it to be a good little runner averaging about 40-45 around town, but has a couple of problems. The hand brake was on 7 notches when I bought it, but it did not hold on the bank so I had it adjusted to 2, but still no difference. The boot is letting in water; I’ve had it in the garage twice, but they were unable to find where it’s leaking from, so now I have decided to try silicone. I have read other reviews on the internet about other Honda Jazz owners and they too have the same problems, so I assume it must be a manufacturing fault?

Honda Stream se sport 2002

I have had this car since new. It has done 145000+ miles and has been all over the UK. I have had very good service from it. I have always been well satisfied with everything about this car. Even on long journey’s I have always found myself still relaxed at the end of the journey. A quiet car with little road noise within the car. I have achieved 330-340 miles on a single tank full (55 Litres).

Honda Civic Type S 2.2 CTDi 2010

A great looking car, and practical with it. The boot space is just fantastic for a hot hatch. Acceleration with the diesel engine leaves many cars standing, yet with outstanding economy to boot - during the warm weather last summer I was getting about 60mpg, now it’s February I am still getting 52mpg. I haven’t had any faults and the car is approaching 3 years of age with 40000 miles on the clock. A fun, engaging drive is to be had from the Type S Civic, and I am certainly glad to have it back if, for example, I have to use a hire car for a day! I actually prefer this model to the new incarnation of Honda’s Civic, and hope to keep it for a few more years yet. My one and only gripe is the absence of a spare wheel, Honda choosing instead to rely upon a can of sealant, which you spray into any punctured tyre but are then not supposed to do more than 50mph until you get it repaired.

Honda S2000 GT 2003

Like others on here I look forward to the adrenalin inducing 10 mile trip to my office. I have had lots of Porsches my last was the boxster 3.2 s, but that was boring compared to the s2000. The car is totally fundemental with only basic controls it doesn’t even have a clock. I love it to death and cannot wait to take the rattly hard top off and open the roof up. I just wish the weather was more s2000 friendly.

Honda Civic 2.2 L 2006

I like this car especially the power and handling, even though it can be noisy over bad road surfaces and the rear visability isn’t great. Using good quality diesel gives me in the mid 50’s mpg. In general I like the car and its moden appearance for a car of its age.

Honda Jazz 1.4 ES iShift 2009

I traded down to a 1.4 iShift from a manual top of the range Honda Civic diesel, which I really enjoyed owning and driving and which was very well equipped. I also did a test drive of other small cars as well before settling on the Honda (Fiesta, Corsa, Clio) to satisy myself which best suited the purpose to which I would use the car. I spent two long test drives in the Jazz as not only was I getting a car with considerably less power, I was also transferring to a semi-automatic gearbox and had seen lots of reviews slating its poor performance. I needed to be sure that I could live with the car on a daily basis. I had also reduced my annual mileage from around 15,000 to 6,000 and the diesel was not the most economic vehicle to use on the reduced mileage. However, on both drives I found the car to be responsive to the throttle and although gear changes (particularly between 1st and 2nd) were a little slow in automatic mode, this could be easily overcome by using the paddles on the steering wheel. The same is true whilst down-changing when approaching a roundabout or road junction but again changing to manual gives you back control and overcomes the hesitation of the automatic change when pulling out. I also like a degree of involvement as a driver and using the paddles suits me and keeps me focussed on the road, instead of worrying whether it will be safe to pull out. I would definitely recommend taking the car on a range of journeys for a test (town, motorway, dual carriageway) to make sure that it will do what you need it to. There is no comparison between my former car and this one in terms of performance but for a small car the fuel consumption is reasonable at an average of 44 MPG on a five mile each way journey to work. The VVT engine can be a little loud when pressed, but for me this is the fun of owning a small engined Honda. Once you get the revs up, the gear changes in automatic are really quite good but at the cost of increased fuel consumption. The car is easily able to join the motorway at an appropriate speed to match the flowing traffic and once at speed the automatic function is very relaxed. For overtaking, I use the paddle shift to get immediate and useful power to safely complete the move. Having driven ’proper’ automatics in the past, the iShift system cannot hope to compete, so avoid if this is the experience you are expecting. Transferring from a conventional torque converter or Honda CVT automatic is likely to be very dissapointing. I really like the build quality of the car which has just 11,000 miles on the clock and Honda FSH, so not expecting any major problems. The driving position is comfortable (I am over 6 foot) and the car rides and drives well, is reasonably well equipped and very cheap to insure (over 50). I would definitely recommend that if you are looking to buy this economical, well built, well equipped small car that you do an extended test drive first. I drove both the iShift and the manual version before making an informed choice on whether the car was suiable for me and how I drive. The vehicle is also small enough to tow behind our motorhome on an A Frame. As with all cars there are compromises to be made and the Jazz iShift is no different, but the same addage is always true, make sure that it fits the driving for which you intend to use it and ensure that you have a long and varied test drive first.

Honda CR-V 2012

A great vehicle!

Honda Accord Saloon Executive 2004

Amazing car; smooth, solid, safe , reliable, good looking, economical and individual. Stands out from the crowd. Will keep until it dies.

Honda Jazz se auto 2009

I wish I looked at some reviews before I purchased this jazz, it’s got the auto box out of a 1970 Daf I think! The box has a mind of its own, don’t go there!

Honda CR-V CTDi Executive 2006

I bought my 2006 CTDi Exec from an acquaintance 2 years ago with 41,000 mls on the clock. I love it to bits, but agree that the seats could be more comfortable. It has now done 52,000 mls and has recently developed the squeaky clutch pedal problem. My local dealer said that it would be the clutch master cylinder - without looking, but I’ve just been trying to put some petroleum jelly around the pedal pivot and the rod that goes through the bulkhead. It appears to have quietened it for now. Fingers crossed. Totally agree with earlier contributor who said he prefers the older shape CR-V. On one trip I managed to get an average of 54mpg, but on motorways at 70mph, it’s more like 40 - 45mpg.

Honda CR-V 2.0 Automatic 2012

I have had the car for 6 months now. The car is comfortable and drives well. The fuel consumption is about 7.2 litre/100 km.

Honda Jazz 1.2 DS 2006

I bought this car second hand from a dealer in Feb 2012 as my Nissan Primera which was 14 years old was failing in bodywork. It had been an excellent car. However, I decided that the price of fuel warranted a car with very good mpg and decided to downsize to a smaller more economical car. I had it on high recommendation that the Jazz was both very reliable and very economical, at least 50mpg. (My 1600 Primera would give an all round 39mpg based on over 10 years and mainly short runs). The mpg meter on my Jazz averages about 46mpg mainly local motoring. In reality measured by topping up to the brim, the mpg is on average 40mpg. On a long run, 100 mile round trip I have had 50mpg driven at average speeds. Ironically, similar runs driven very carefully with max speed 60mph have given only 43mpg. Over the 8 months I have had this vehicle the overall mpg is currently 44mpg which is based on lots of average 10 - 20 mile trips and occassional 100 mile trips. A disappointing car regarding economy. To drive I find it a love/hate relationship. It’s very roomy for a small car and holds lots in the boot. The clever fold up back seats are useful at times. The visibility in the front seats is great and my wife and I find the seats very supportive. I like the controls and the gear shift is so precise, the best I’ve ever used. It doesn’t handle as well as the Primera around bends, but that was exceptional. You seem to be travelling very fast in the Jazz and at speeds over 70 it becomes unstable. A few times I have been caught out when driving at high speeds on motorways and I’ve put my foot down and there’s been nothing there. I rarely went over 3000 revs in the Primera as I am more of a limousine style driver, but even when I drive the Jazz like this fuel economy is no better, sometimes worse in fact! Going up a bank in the Jazz requires either a very fast run up to it or changing down sometimes to as low as 2nd gear and thrashing it if you don’t want to hold up other motorists and it obviously gets very noisy. Reminds me of being on the back of my mate’s Honda 50 long ago. The Jazz has a lovely almost silent tick over. It’s a great little car for nipping to the shops etc, but let down by the mpg. It’s well built, but a bit thin and tinny. Although it’s 6 years old it looks and feels brand new. It has been 100% reliable and everything is in good working order. I did have a steering fault in that I had to compensate all the time for it veering off both to left and the right, worse at 40mph plus. That disappeared a couple of months ago and I understand it is a fault on some models. So whether it has gone for good or returns remains to be seen. The ride is on the hard side but it has a very positive feel to it rather like the older VW Polo. (never driven a newer model). The ride in the back is very rough on minor twisty roads but again the seats are firm and for a small car there is plenty of room for someone like me who is 5’10" and 15 stone. Would I buy another one? Not with that mpg. If the mpg was an average of 50 plus instead of 44 I would rate it 4 stars.

Responses to this review

Hi, just got a 2007 auto Jazz. I took it back to Honda dealer with steering problems, you can’t keep it straight at any speed, you have to keep adjusting the steering wheel. Dealer said it me. Did you find what the trouble was? Thanks - Pete from Cambridgeshire

Honda NSX 1995

I bought mine 9 years ago and it’s been fantastic. It’s quick when you want it to be quick, and easy when you want it to be easy. It’s a lot less demanding to drive than an S2000. I only do 4,000 miles a year and running costs are extremely reasonable; insurance is only £225 per year and servicing around £250.

Honda Jazz CVT 2012

I tested a Jazz CVT fitted with hand controls at a Mobility Road Show, because my very old Honda Civic, with which I had been absolutely delighted, was beginning to show its age and needed to be replaced. As a disabled driver I must have a reliable car and it must be an automatic, fitted with hand controls. I found the car to be to my liking and was assured that it would meet my needs, so I went to a Honda dealer and ordered my new Honda Jazz EX CVT. It had hand controls fitted before I could drive it. On my first opportunity to drive on the open road, I discovered, to my horror, that it doesn’t behave like a conventional automatic, holding the car on inclines, but rolled backwards. It isn’t possible for me to hold the car on the hand brake, as my left hand is occupied with steering and so at the point when the hand control is moved from braking to accelerating the car rolled backwards. Fortunately there was no one behind me on that occasion, but I was not prepared to risk driving it again. I tried to point out the problem to Honda, but they would not answer my phone calls, so I had to go back to the dealer, who could only solve my problem by buying the almost new car back at considerable financial loss to me and selling me a Hybrid. It has Hill Start Assist, which should apparently solve my problem, but at considerable extra expense, as with my very low mileage I will never recoup the extra expense in fuel savings and I have a second expense for fitting hand controls. I have, during my 20 years as a Honda customer, always, until now, thought very highly of the company, but they have really let me down. Even the manager of the dealership did not know that a CVT will not hold on an incline, so is unsuitable for the fitting of hand controls and thought that there must be something wrong with the car. I hope that my new car will be safe to drive when it arrives, but it will be at considerable expense and after a lot of worry.

Honda CR-V i ctdi 2005

I bought this car with only 13,000 miles on the clock - it now has 21,000. I really want to like it, but I find the diesel engine very noisy. I get a loud engine rattle (like pinking) at 2000rpm, and the clutch squeaks horribly when you let it out. Grease applied to the pedal only provides a couple of weeks respite. I like the space and practicality of the car, and fuel consumption at around 34 mpg is OK. Having had Ford ctdi diesels in the past, I don’t think the Honda unit comes close for refinement.

Honda Civic Type R GT

Had my eye on one of these cars for 3 years!!! Now I am in the point to have one, let’s start with that engine it’s a master piece it loves revving up 8k rpm and the sound put your hairs stand on end!!!! Handling is great! And if anyone is scared of the petrol price, it’s not all bad I’m doing easy 34 mpg, I have got the gt, one which I recommend.

Honda Accord Saloon 1999

Great car, everything worked brilliant. Full black leather.

Honda Jazz Vibe S 2012

I’ve traded in my 2004 VTi 1.5L with CVT and upgraded to this 2012 limited edition Japan built model. Pros: Excellent finish, quieter than the previous model, feels less bouncy, auto air conditioning is a bonus, paddle shifts on the steering wheel for the 5 speed auto transmission, firmer steering feel, and the stereo system has a much better sound out put. Cons: Uses more fuel (5-7%), engine has less revving ability mated to 5 speed auto box. The last one with CVT was very flexible when it kicked in for extra oomp, though a little bit noisy, maybe to with noise insulation from fire wall? Apart from the wear and tear items that need to be replaced, the previous one had two rear wheel bearings replaced after 60,000km and two CVT services at 65,000km and 90,000km respectively, which was expensive. Otherwise it was a very  reliable and economical to run; 7,7L/100km in the city and 6,5L/100km on highway trips.

Honda CR-V Diesel 2007

I also had a squeaking clutch pedal when depressed. I solved it by putting vaseline around the clevis pin and m-cylinder rod and it has been squeak free for over a year!

Honda Insight 2009

The fuel economy advertised is a reality; if You drive cautiously, (accelerating in short bursts and efficiently and than decelerating without break-energy feedback) you can reach the official values! I have driven 63300 kms so far. The acceleration is unbelievable with a the proper technique by pumping the pedal so that the revs do not stay high and electric motor continously boosts. If driving calm it is astonishingly silent. The steering and suspension is sporty and punctual with a lots of feedback.

Honda CR-V 2.0 iVTEC manual 2012

Only had this car for about 5 weeks and up till now very pleased. Last two cars have been diesel; the Freelander 2 was very good then I changed it for a BMW X1 two wheel drive, but after only 3 months could no longer stand the noisy diesel engine so changed it for the CRV 2.0 iVTEC. It’s so smooth and quiet. My wife has a Honda Jazz also with a iVTEC engine and it’s so quiet you sometimes think you have stalled the car. My one concern with the CRV 2.0 iVTEC was all the reports about poor fuel consumption being around 25 MPG, but that’s not what I have found. Yes, you must have a light foot, but I get mid 30s local and mid 40s on a good run. And it’s like sitting in an arm chair. Only time will tell if I continue to be happy with it, but up till now it’s great. No way would I go back to BMW.

Honda Jazz 2004

The hand brake is a problem, we can not trust it. If you forget to put it on gear, the car will be at risk. Recently the brake was checked and they could not find any fault. Yesterday, it rolled away from its place and hit against a building and caused serious damages. I need a lot of money to fix it properly. I regret choosing a Honda Jazz.