Honda Civic

I must first say that I have driven my Honda Civic 1.8L since 2006. This is my first review of the car and I think I ought to do it because I will be trading this car for a new car soon! I started driving a 1.0L, then a 1.3L and then a 1.6L before this car. While there are few gadgets in this car (audio buttons on the steering wheel) as the technology then was not prevalent, it does give a sporty look and feel. I have absolutely no problems with its reliability. It has served me faithfully throughout the years and truth be told, I am a little dreadful about the day when we part.... Read More

The Honda Civic. A brand synonymous with any car crazed teenager dying to get a feel for the boy racer life style. With a line of legendary track monsters behind it Honda must have had their work cut out for them when designing the current Civic. It has been all good and smooth sailing till now. It is just a tad disappointing to see those flaring lines that portray a sleeping beast disappear. Honda made history with the last design. A car aimed at the future and a design that just never felt old. Updating what was already futuristic must have been difficult but I must add, this time it is a letdown. When I saw the latest design, something in me told me, this is no more the car that every teenager wanted to own. It looks like a golfer’s car and that is the ultimate insult one can throw at any car. It feels old and matured something that a civic should never feel like. So on a nice sunny Saturday I decided to head down to test drive this car to see if it lives up to its name. New design alright, it feels like a boxy version of the previous model. Open the door and what waits inside is another disappointment. The dashboard looks similar to the previous model and the only way to tell it apart is by the slightly more harder lines that feels like it was designed by someone who got too familiar with a e-class (more apparent in the accord model where the dash board looks like that of the e-class). One would be forgiven for expecting electric seats, sun roof and a 2.0litre model but Honda stands firm on a single 1.6litre unit with none of the said luxuries. The new info (i-MID) system panel integrated beside the electronic speedo is a fun feature and the parking system deserves some commendation if not for its lack of a simple reverse camera or a nice touch screen for the audio system. It’s still futuristic on the inside but feels like a carryover from the previous model. It also feels just a little too plasticy and perhaps Honda could have used better materials? I must add though, given the never die reputation of the Honda brand, this is probably a hard wearing car that is going to last you a long time! After a little begging with the sales staff I finally get to sit at the helm of the famous civic. Expecting that I-Vtec to pull me ferociously away from a standing start and a well-balanced chassis and steering that will make even the worst look like a racing driver I wore huge grin just holding the steering. I looked about for a push start button but NO. There is a new flick type key instead. That’s alright I thought to myself turning the ignition on as I watched the electronic display come to life and light up. It’s surprisingly quiet! Stick the gear into “D” and tap the accelerator and the little I-Vtec 1.6 does not disappoint. It’s not going to set any lap records but it pulls like a Honda. The chassis feels composed at corners and steering feels a little lazy but overall the handling is as a Civic should be. It gives you the boy racer feel. Step it harder and this car just wants to keep going. The 4 side disc brake provide adequate stopping and that is a delight knowing that behind the wheel is going to be a 19 year old teenager who has no clue about the laws of physics. It was sad to give the Civic bad but I still went away with a little disappointment just knowing the previous civic, well, it was a Civic. This one feels to matured and might be to the liking of an older age group. To the current teenagers, fear not, there are still other cars out there…. It’s a good car, but is it as good as the older civics? That is a question to be answered by all who own it.... Read More