Honda’s newly launched Civic hatchback makes a refreshing departure from the norm, where the succeeding generation of virtually any model grows a little larger than the car it replaces, eventually leaving room at the bottom of the ladder for an all-new small car.
Take a look at the Volkswagen Golf or Toyota Corolla, for instance, and compare them with their namesakes of 10 years ago, and you’ll see what I mean. The Civic hatch is lower and shorter than the earlier model, but it’s also wider, and offers more interior space.
The Civic’s styling stands out from the rest in that it’s very futuristic. Full-width lights fill the front and rear ends of the car, which appears to be a two-door, because Honda has emulated Alfa Romeo and concealed the rear door handles in the C-pillars.
The cab-forward styling gives the Honda a predatory look, and a pair of massive triangular exhaust outlets built into the rear bumper follows the three-sided pattern of the front spotlights and door handles. I liked the look of the car, with the exception of the rear window that splits to form a spoiler. I found that to be unattractive, and a distraction when looking in the rear-view mirror.
The Civic’s interior is as futuristic as the outside, with the instrument binnacle offering a 3D effect. There’s push-button starting, all the electronic aids you’re ever likely to need, loads of stowage space, electric just-about-everything, drilled aluminium pedals and a very stylish leather-covered, multi-function steering wheel.
As is usual with Honda, build quality is impeccable, and the engine is the same 104kW gem that is found in the Civic sedan, mated to a crisp, six-speed manual gearbox. Honda claims that its VTEC technology provides the fuel economy of a 1,5-litre unit with the performance of a two-litre. The car’s 0-100kph time is claimed to be a healthy 8,6 seconds, with top speed being pegged at 205kph, and during the launch I drove the car hard enough to believe the figures to be accurate.
The Honda’s a superb driver’s car, with excellent handling and braking. The ride is firm without being ridiculously hard, and feedback is very, very good. We gave the cars a good workout on the lovely roads of Mpumalanga, and, if you’re the kind of person who enjoys rather than endures driving a car, the Civic won’t disappoint. Something to look forward to is the arrival of the 150kW Type R towards the middle of next year.
Consumer surveys worldwide have consistently placed Honda at or very near the top of the heap in terms of quality and customer satisfaction, and the Civic hatchback is unlikely to let the side down.
The only fly in the ointment is that worldwide demand considerably exceeds supply, and Honda South Africa has been allocated only about 70 units per month for the next year. Despite this, Honda intends remaining South Africa’s fastest-growing brand and grow overall sales by 80% this year.
The Civic five-door sells at R204Â 000 with a five-year/100Â 000km service plan.