The name Honda Civic does not need any introduction as it is one of the best-selling cars in the world. The sedan made its debut in 1972 and has since then garnered a sizeable fanbase mainly due to its sporty characteristics. Moreover, it provides a sporty driving experience to people who aren’t wealthy but want to get a little bit of fun that many expensive vehicles offer. Moreover, the car is widely customizable, its power figures can easily be souped-up just by putting in a little amount of effort and money. It won’t be wrong to say that the Honda Civic is a middle-class man’s BMW.
The current generation of the car made its debut in 2016 and is currently taking its last breaths. It was redesigned from the ground up and has several new features which give it an edge over its competitors and today we will be looking at its interesting details.
Exterior:
Just like the car, the exterior has also been completely redesigned and has several bits and pieces that give the whole car a refreshing look. The front bumpers are rather small in size because of the large black fake air intakes that are designed to flaunt the sporty DNA of the car. The headlamps were converted to full LEDs in a minor facelift which makes them contemporary as most of the vehicles have now abandoned halogen lamps. The bonnet has wide arches on both sides which not only portray a muscular look but also help in overall front visibility. The front grill, depending upon the region can either be jet black or covered in chrome, it starts narrowly from the fender and continues all the way to the center where it gets wider and has an H logo attached to it.
The swooping lines can also be seen on the side profile and they extend to the rear fender. The sloping roofline signifies its fastback style, which again is in sync with the rest of the car. Another unique feature of the current generation of Civic is its rear lights which are mostly occupying the space on the edges of the rear end. The company has extended them in a form of a narrow strip which makes them a real eye-turner. The rear bumpers are nearly identical to the front ones as they also have huge fake air vents which kind of look childish to some people.
Interior:
The interior perfectly resonates with the sporty dynamics of the car and most of the controls are oriented towards the driver to allow easier access over the controls. Like most modern cars, the dashboard has been divided into several tiers and its top layers are made of high-quality soft-touch material. The air vents and instrument cluster are enclosed separately which generally look good. Some variants are offered in a full black interior which might be too dark and claustrophobic for some people, but its original purpose like many other parts is to highlight the athletic character of the car.
Practicality:
Honda civic is also widely recognized as a family sedan and this model is no different than the previous ones. There is sufficient leg space for every passenger, though, you may have to struggle a bit with the headroom in the rear seats due to its sloping roofline. Also, the thigh support is a bit less due to lowered seating position, albeit, it provides an excellent driving posture. Six cup holders are integrated into the car’s interior so that you can perfectly keep your beverage during the journey. The trunk space is also good enough to fit in luggage for a family (3-4 large suitcases) and you can also fold-down rear seats to fit in longer items.
Technology:
The mid-size sedan is fitted with a fairly good amount of tech even though it is meant for mainstream consumers. The instrument cluster is fully digital, plus there is an electronic parking brake which frees up a lot of space for an armrest and storage. Brake hold is another innovative feature that greatly reduces the burden while driving through a traffic jam. The infotainment system is easy to navigate through and has front and rear camera support as well. In case you are wondering, there are some other useful driver-assistive features as well, for instance: cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and auto emergency braking. All of these modern features greatly reduce the chances of accidents and help a driver on daily basis.
Powertrain:
Powering the car are a variety of powerplants that vary across countries. The most popular ones are the 1.5L, 1.8L, and 2.0L engines, the 2.0L is primarily used in North-American spec Civics. The 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder is the most widely known and accepted engine due to an awesome output of 170+ hp and an impressive fuel average of 16km/l. The 1.8L is a bit outdated, though, it is time tested and delivers a decent output of 138hp and a fuel average of nearly 12km/l combined. The North American 2.0L delivers an output of 158hp that lies in between the other two engines and has therefore a fuel average nearly identical to the 1.8L powerplant.
All of these engines are mated to either a CVT or a manual transmission. If you want to get the most out of your Civic and you know how to drive a stick shift, then you should definitely go for a manual gearbox, otherwise, you are better off with an automatic transmission as it provides nearly the same fuel efficiency figures as a manual one and you get to enjoy a hassle-free drive in crowded areas.
Safety features:
Safety is the prime concern of users these days and Honda has ensured the safety of front and rear passengers by providing a total of six airbags. ISOFIX anchor points are also there for children, moreover, the brakes are assisted by an anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake distribution (EBD), and brake assist (BA). There are different crumple zones on the front and rear that help in reducing the impact of a crash, but it should be kept in mind that seatbelts are the most basic and effective safety equipment and they should be prioritized before relying on any other equipment.
Conclusion:
All in all, Honda Civic provides good value for money for anyone looking for a sedan that is a fun daily driver and has the ability to quench the thirst for a sporty riding experience. Its practicality and good fuel economy further make it an alluring option for mainstream consumers. Furthermore, its traditional Japanese reliability helps it outlast most of its competitors in the market some of which are considerably pricier than it.
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If you want to know more details about specifications and models, please refer to Wikipedia or other catalogs.