2012 Honda Civic hatch still much dearer than sedan | CarAdvice

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2012 Honda Civic hatch still much dearer than sedan

HONDA CIVIC
By Tim Beissmann
FIND DEALS

The new Honda Civic hatch will continue to command a significant price premium over its sedan sibling when it lands in local showrooms next month.

Honda Australia’s Lindsay Smalley told CarAdvice the all-new British-built Civic hatch would start at roughly the same price as the Civic Sport sedan, which costs $27,990 before on-road costs.

That will make it considerably more expensive than the Thailand-sourced entry-level VTi-L sedan, which is priced from $20,990 for the five-speed manual variant and $23,290 for the five-speed automatic.

Smalley said the exact prices for the incoming Civic hatch (which drops the Si suffix) were still to be finalised, but revealed its new pricing and specifications would make it more competitive with other European-made hatchbacks, like the Volkswagen Golf.

The new Civic hatch should be at least $2000 cheaper than the outgoing Civic Si hatch, which is priced from $29,990 for the manual variant.

Honda Australia slashed between $3700 and $4300 off the price of the VTi-L and Sport sedans when it launched the ninth-generation Civic range in February. The price of the Civic Hybrid increased by $1500 to $35,990.

Honda Australia is targeting 500 Civic hatch sales per month, and expects the five-door variant to account for around one-third of its total Civic volume.

The 1.8-litre petrol model will be joined by a highly efficient 88kW/300Nm 1.6-litre diesel-powered hatchback around the middle of 2013.

The all-new hatch, which was first unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show in September, will join Honda Australia’s range in mid-June and will be available in two trim levels.

The entry-level Civic VTi hatch includes features like USB input and iPod connectivity, while the top-spec VTi-L includes Bluetooth audio streaming, leather upholstery and heated front seats.

The Civic hatch is powered by a mildly revised version the old model’s 1.8-litre engine, which it shares with the Civic VTi-L sedan. The hatch is more fuel efficient whether teamed with the six-speed manual transmission (6.1 litres per 100km vs 6.8L/100km) or the five-speed automatic (6.5L/100km vs 6.7L/100km).

Full pricing and specification details will be revealed closer to the local launch of the Honda Civic hatch in June.

  • Meh

    Oh Honda.  Why dont you start building the new hatch in Thailand? This needs to be priced very close to the sedan price

    $2K extra and you can get the accord euro…………………………..

    • Edward

      The hatch is completely designed and built in the UK. Its basically a product of Honda UK

  • Antmindel

    The Euro is such brilliant value,but the new Civic hatch looks stunning,and should sell well…

  • Able

    I find this new Civic hatch really ugly (especially at the rear) but really, what Honda isn’t these days? Considering the added practicality, style (yes I know it’s ugly but at least it has some flair and risk to it, unlike the Civic saloon), performance, fuel efficiency, practicality (with the flat-folding seats that rise up too) and quality, I’m sure the hatch is well worth the premium for those who aren’t just seeking value-for-money. Get the 2.2 i-CDTi diesel out with a manual and I’d definitely consider one… In black.

  • ABCDEFG

    That’s because a fork lift driver or security guard in the UK earns 10x more than the same guy in Thailand. Furthermore Thai made cars are higher quality than UK made cars. Civic hatch or Civic sedan …… easy decision.

  • BP

    Back looks very Hyundai Veloster.

  • Scoot

    Looks great, just bring out a 5 door Type R and you will have a winner

  • Schn

    That centre console dash unit doesn’t even look integrated into the car like the saloon! That’s pretty cheap I must say, especially for a Honda. A bit like an afterthought… 

  • Sebastian, Style Messiah

    This is actually quite decent. Honda should do ok with it.., really needs to be built in Thialand to make it a hit.

  • Pauly

    $27,990 before On Roads and this car WILL NOT SELL.

    What Honda Australia seem to forget is that the VW Golf offers things like a 7 Speed Dual Clutch Automatic and a Better Badge (to some people).

    I suppose its better then asking $40,000 like they did when the Civic Si Hatch originally came out…

    • Sebastian, Style Messiah

      Pauly, unfourtunatly Thai sourced Hondas are geared for Nth America… Australians like the Japanese and Euro centric Hondas. Hondas production model means we get affordable Hondas we don’t like.

  • Lbrinsmead

    If a Golf can be built in Germany and sold in Australia starting from $22,000, why can’t the Civic, even at $25,000?

    • PS

      Actually, Golf can be made in South Africa and sold in Australia starting from $22,000 for 1.2L engine…. get your facts right!

      If you want to compare apple to apple, the golf range that you need to be looking at is the 118TFSI Comfortline 5 Door 6 Speed Manual, which is about 33.5k driveaway.

      • PS

        correction, 1.4L engine.

        • ABCDEFG

          Those 2.0L turbo cars have turbo related issues years down the road. And if it’s turbo and tiny 1.4L it’s double trouble. From VW it’s tripple trouble.

    • F1MotoGP

      2012 Volkswagen Golf 118TSI Comfortline VI (Jan) Country of origin GERMANY

  • John

    Sorry, but I wouldn’t pay that premium. I’m looking to upgrade from a Lancer, I want a hatch, not a sedan, but why on earth would I pay an extra $7000 over a $22,000 Honda VTi-L just to get an extra door?

    Completely ludicrous, Honda.

  • Pauly

    Im holding out to see what Honda Australia price the Diesel Civic hatch at….

  • Legnab

    It is easy to see where VW has picked up so many new customers disgruntled honda and subaru owners , and i was one .

    Honda fudged the value and failed to go turbo , subaru fudged the style .

    • Edward

      I would have to agree. Im also no longer considering Honda for my next car, which is a damn shame for them as i have owned new civics for the last 8 years.

  • Edward

    Ive read a lot of consumer opinions on both the civic hatch and sedan, as im thinking of replacing my 5 year old type R soon. The hatch is great if you dont mind the absence of the wow factor the previous generation had. The sedan is considered to be horrible, and sitting in one a few weeks ago only confirmed this.

    The sedan is so out of date that many parts of its interior can be found in my UK civic which was first released in 2006.

  • John G

    My 2011 Civic Si hatch kills the upcoming hatch for looks. Not the best car on the road and certainly has some design quirks but has to be one of the best looking hatches on the market.

  • Morpheus

    So disappointed in the speccing of this for the Australian market. There are 6 spec levels in the UK . The panoramic glass roof will not make it to Australia and the VTi-L will be available only as a thirsty auto. Such a missed opportunity again by Honda. I would have been very keen on one of these.

    • CYF

      I agree.. It is extremely disappointing that there is no glass roof option..I use the sunroof everyday. My Honda civic coupe has not failed me for 17 years.. I have to look for another coupe now after such a long wait..