She says, he says: It’s a Civic reception
The Honda Civic hatch was one of the big players in the small-car market but it’s overshadowed these days by the Mazda3, among others.
He: The Honda Civic hatch was one of the big players in the small-car market but it's overshadowed these days by the Mazda3, among others. A big part of that is due to the last model costing almost $40,000 when it arrived in 2009. This new model is a lot cheaper but still enjoys the same standout looks. What were your first impressions, Sally?
She: On approach, the sporty front with LED running lights looks great and I particularly like the wraparound tail-lights and that rear door handle built into the frame. But you know what made me really happy? Those cool blue lights outlining the door holds that welcome you at night. Really thoughtful, user-friendly design, don't you think?
He: I admire Honda for being bold with its design. The highlight for me was the interior. I liked that driver-focused dashboard. And I thought the materials were nice throughout the cabin, too. What did you make of the driving experience?
She: Loved it - the Civic is a terrific drive with ripper acceleration and supportive, comfortable seats. I particularly appreciate that when you put it in Eco mode you don't feel restrained. That said, my 8.7 litres per 100 kilometres in Economy mode is a bit daunting.
He: As usual with Honda, the engine has enough grunt but it needs a rev to get the most out of it. I missed the low-rev-range pulling power in some of its rivals with turbo engines. It's also worth noting it drinks only premium unleaded. I enjoyed it - it was responsive and fun to drive for a hatch.
She: What I like is that the driving experience starts in the cabin with a useful layout, pretty graphics and total comfort, and is facilitated by some effective engineering. I just wonder whether the comparatively high fuel consumption kicks it out of true competition. Honda can do better, I think. Don't you?
He: I'm not sure. On paper, fuel consumption is competitive for the class. But the fact that you have to rev the engine means that figure can creep up in the real world. It's a shame there's no diesel version. What about equipment? Did it have everything you want?
She: It came up a bit short on useful storage in the front seats and the cup holders weren't grippy enough. I love the storage options and there are 18 ways to arrange the rear seat and luggage area - something to play with when you've overdone it at Ikea. This is a car that combines looks, driver experience and practicality to net a pretty wide demographic.
He: Yeah, it's a big step up on the old hatch, especially on price. But the sedan has almost the exact same equipment but costs $6000 less. That's a large price difference for a boot. So, would you buy one? The competition in the small-car class is really tough these days.
She: The competition is tough but the Civic has a history that serves it well for resale. As a designer, I like the distinctive yet homogenous design, and as a driver, it's more fun than some of its rivals. Good safety kit, too. If I were empty-nesting and had a bit of driving to do, this car would be right up there because rear storage is not sacrificed for fun - and I like driving with high revs. As long as I could afford to fill it …
He: I like the Civic but I can't think of a compelling reason to buy it. Not when there's the Ford Focus, Mazda3, Volkswagen Golf, Holden Cruze, Hyundai i30 and Toyota Corolla to choose from.
Honda Civic VTi-L
The price: $29,990 plus on-road and dealer costs.
Vital statistics: 1.8-litre 4-cyl petrol, 104kW/174Nm, 5-sp auto, 6.5L/100km and 155g/km CO2, FWD.
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