Honda has gone back to the drawing board with the new tenth-generation Civic, making significant changes to its drive, engine range and exterior design.
Gone is the plump body shape of old, in place of a much leaner design, littered in sporty highlights and trimmings.
Its dimensions have changed too. It’s 130mm longer, 20mm lower and 30mm wider– all of which, according to Honda, contribute to a lowered centre of gravity by 34mm and therefore a sportier drive.
This is not just another hatchback for Honda though, it is the “largest single model development programme in the company’s history”, so they will be hoping that it hits the ground running. It’s not short of competition though, with big hitters like the Ford Focus, Mazda 3 and Volkswagen Golf all fighting for the biggest slice of the hatchback market.
Performance 4/5
At the heart of the new Civic are two new petrols, a 1.0-litre turbo and a 1.5-litre - a 1.6-litre diesel will be added at a later date.
We tested the 127bhp 1.0-litre and found it a peppy, characterful little thing. Even low down the revs the 1.0-litre delivers plenty of pull. Although you will have to work it hard to get the most out of it - although nowhere near as hard as the Civic's existing 1.4-litre petrol - you will have a great time doing so, especially when it’s mated to the incredibly snappy six-speed manual gearbox.
Like other three-cylinder turbo petrols, the 127bhp 1.0-litre does require you to switch up and down the gears when taking on inclines and it does let out a moody roar when revved out, but this is to be expected. It is surprisingly well-refined at motorway speeds though, with that trademark growl settling down to a quiet murmur.
If you want something for town driving, but also require a bit of fire for taking on twisty roads, the 1.0-litre is great. It’s not too shabby efficiency wise either.
Ride and Handling 4/5
The new Civic definitely feels like it’s moving in the right evolutionary direction. Thanks to its increased torsional rigidity, up by 52 per cent, and its new multi-link rear suspension, you’ve got greater control than ever before.
The Civic now feels at home in the corners, with its lower and wider stance allowing for a more planted feel, turning winding country roads into friend not foe. The stiffer frame gives enhanced body control when cornering at speed and actually encourages you to chuck it about, as does its lower seating position.
Alongside its improved body control, the multi-link rear suspension allows each of the rear wheels to move independently, unlike the old model. This means that the rear of the car no longer scrambles over uneven road surfaces. Instead, it is much smoother, much more like a family hatchback should be.
The steering is still a little vague however in terms of overall feel, but it does offer greater accuracy for town driving. The variable rate of the steering makes tight corners and hairpins easy to manoeuvre though, as the steering wheel requires less turning, the more you turn. Ultimately, this means taking fast corners is easier to do confidently.
Interior and Equipment 4.5/5
The interior of the last Civic was almost as divisive as its exterior, but Honda has toned it down a bit for the new model. There are still layered sections to the dashboard, but the jacked-up, digital speedometer is no more. Instead, Honda has invested in a slick screen behind the steering wheel, which displays everything from speed to revs and sat-nav directions to media functions.
This of course sits alongside Honda’s ever-popular Honda Connect touchscreen system. Although this offers a few improvements over the existing system, it still feels a little outdated – only aesthetically though, not in terms of functionality. Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay have be added now as well.
There is a good mixture of materials around the cabin, from leather trimmings to hard-wearing, family-friendly, plastics – which place it somewhere between the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf for luxury. The cloth seat trim isn’t up to much however.
The expected bestselling SR trim we tested is generously equipped with a rear parking camera, Bluetooth, LED daytime running lights, dual zone climate control and active cruise control. The sheer amount of safety kit is what is really impresses though. The Civic now comes with a long list of sophisticated safety tech such as Land Departure Warning, Blind Spot Monitor and Road Departure Mitigation, which detects unusual swerving due to fatigue.
Practicality isn’t too bad either, with several storage compartments in the cabin as well as a nifty sliding dual cup holder in the centre console.
The rest of the Civic remains practical as well, although due to the sleeker exterior, head room does suffer a little in the back, with a long hump that reaches across the roof, in line with the C pillars. The magic seats have also been removed from the Civic, due to a relocation of the fuel tank. Thankfully leg room is still on par for the hatchback segment.
The Civic still has one of the best, most flexible boots in its class though. The boot opening is now wider than before, there is a new extendable, and easily removeable, parcel shelf for added versatility and there is still oodles of under floor storage to play around with. The seats also fold down almost completely flat to facilitate the loading of long objects.
Costs 4/5
When it comes to efficiency figures for three-cylinder turbo petrols, more often than not, you are left a little disappointed. The Civic’s new 1.0-litre however boasts impressive fuel economy, with a real world average of around 50-55mpg. CO2 on the other hand is quoted at 117g/km.
At £18,335, the Civic is more expensive than something like a Volkswagen Golf, but surprisingly, it is cheaper than a Ford Focus. Standard kit will be the big decider for some though, with the Civic being particularly generous on the tech side of things.
Verdict 4/5
Honda have clearly listened to their customers with the new Civic. It's ironed out many of its niggles and in turn become much more competitive against key rivals. Sure, it could be better in some areas, but it is definitely heading in the right direction.
It’s not as comfy as the Volkswagen Golf or as fun to drive as the Mazda 3 or Ford Focus, but for most, the Civic was never a true alternative to those models for comfort or fun anyway.
The Civic was always a funky alternative that turned its nose up at the competition and said “I am who I am” – and if you like the Civic for that very reason, then you'll love its latest incarnation.
