Sharp, safe, sensible and smart Civic

Just a tweak here and there, but still instantly recognisable as a South African favourite.

The immediate impression of the spruced up Civic is that it looks more mature, yet a touch snazzier and more inclined to wanting to play and have a little fun.

Although Honda is committed to reviving the sportiness and fun elements which once were so strongly associated with the brand, they have tip-toed with the Civic, clearly not wanting to stray away too drastically from the basic successful formula that made the Civic the darling of the South African motoring public.

The result then is clever improvements rather than drastic change, with the result that the Civic handles better, the auto transmission now listens instead of wanting to do its own thing, and the car squats more confidently on the tar... What's more, the greenies can wag their tails at the Civic because the rejuvenated Honda is also more economical and eco-friendly than its predecessor.

Unleash your inner youth

Civic drivers have tended to be at the more mature end of the market where build quality, reliability, price, resale value, running costs and brand image weighs heavier than performance and sharp handling. But the revamped Civic looks and feels zestier and now has a number of features which are likely to also appeal the younger end of the market including sporty alloys and rather stylishly cool, futuristic cabin.

The main feature of the new living quarters is a split-level dashboard lay-out that divides the instrument panel into different areas, with key displays located above the steering wheel and secondary information provided in a lower panel.

A third area groups the controls which are not essential to driving, such as the intelligent multi-information display for the vehicle and audio information. What makes this so appealing is that it can be changed and re-arranged to suit individual tastes quickly and easily, just be twiddling and fiddling a few knobs and buttons.

What's more, it integrates all of the on-board multimedia entertainment and connectivity features which, depending on the model, could include Bluetooth, auxiliary and USB audio connections and a fully-featured multi-function steering wheel.

Passenger space has increased in all key areas, including an additional 75mm of shoulder room and 40mm more rear legroom. The front and rear seats have also been completely redeveloped to offer optimal levels of space, comfort, support and visibility.

Passenger space has increased in all key areas, including an additional 75mm of shoulder room and 40mm more rear legroom.

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The boot is slightly larger and is complemented by 60/40 split-folding rear seats for added versatility.

Few changes

Changes to the exterior of the vehicle have been kept to a minimum so the Civic remains instantly recognisable, just a tad slicker, which has more to do with aerodynamics than beauty.

But, as is the tendency with most carmakers these days, where the jazzed up Civic shows the most improvement is with its out of sight bits and pieces and sharpened technology that all add up to improved safety, better handling, even better road holding plus reduced fuel consumption.

Key to its on the road abilities under the whip is Motion-Adaptive Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) which together do a super job of keeping the Civic steady on its feet. It is a high-tech system which the Honda dealer can explain much better, so ask him. In essence it works quietly and efficiently without wanting to take over the driver's duties completely, sorting out issues such as oversteer, understeer and even slippery surfaces with the help of traction control, hill start assist and even a tyre deflation warning system.

With various new-tech modifications the interior now also provides better occupant protection in front, offset, side and rear impacts and safety features include dual front and side airbags and curtain airbags on all but the entry-level derivative. ABS is now also standard on all models, as are electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist (EBA).

Putting a smile on your face

However, fancies and safety aside, it's on the road where the 9th generation Civic really puts a smile on your face. Although not hot hatch fast it can put in a fairly enthusiastic trot when required and power is slightly up on the previous range. The steering is definitely sharper, the brakes feel better, the car sits more confidently on the road and it digs its claws in with more grip around the bends.

Thanks must also go the clever Japanese white coats, for the auto transmission has been cured of that common irritation of changing up, say from 3rd to 4th, in the middle of a fast, sweeping bend. This then required a flick-down to 3rd again and back to 4th when you floor it out of the apex. Now the auto cog box holds the selected gear, even with the rev needle touching the red line.

The smooth, solid manual box feels so well-matched to the 1.8 Civic.

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Automatics will probably remain the most popular option in the range and I tried it both in Standard and Sports mode and even with the steering flappies but I much preferred the smooth, solid manual box that just feels so well-matched to the 1.8 Civic.... An absolute pleasure to use, and typical of the high standard of quality machining for which Honda is renowned.

Under the Civic's chiselled bonnet the highly-rated 1.8-litre VTEC engine has been retained but with tweaks to improve performance and reduce petrol glugging. It produces 104kW at 6500rpm and 174Nm at 4300rpm - the latter, in particular, offering a more progressive torque curve than the previous model.

Lighter for better performance, fuel consumption

Importantly, the overall vehicle weight has also been reduced to give the 1.8-litre variants a power-to-weight ratio that is among the best in its segment. This is echoed by the improved combined fuel consumption of 6.7 litres/100km and a CO2 emissions rating of 160g/km.

For the first time the expanded Civic model line-up now also incorporates a 1.6-litre engine which employs the familiar two-stage i-VTEC system, programmed fuel injection and drive-by-wire technology. It produces 92kW at 6500rpm, and 151Nm at 4300rpm which should be more than enough oomph, even up in Jozi and outposts further north.

All 1.6 and 1.8 models are available with a choice of five-speed manual or automatic transmissions which gives the Civic a distinct advantage in this segment.

Aside from improved gearshifts, as well as quieter and smoother operation, the latest torque-converter automatic delivers even better consumption and lower emissions than the manual transmission in the case of the 1.8 Civic, with figures of 6.6 litres/100km in the combined cycle and 157g/km.

Grouping the instruments and controls makes sense.

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What is particularly appealing about the expanded Civic range is its extended list of standard features such as 15-inch alloy wheels (with a full-size spare), electric mirrors and windows all round, height-adjustable driver's seat, a tilt and reach-adjustable steering column, MP3-compatible single-CD receiver with speed-sensitive volume control, air-conditioning with dust and pollen filter, an info button on the steering wheel plus speed-sensitive automatic door locks with selective unlocking.

The 1.8 Comfort adds heated side mirrors and curtain airbags to this list, while the more luxuriously appointed 1.8 Elegance gains 16-inch alloy wheels, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and seats, as well as hands-free Bluetooth cell phone connectivity, iPod and USB slots, a multi-function steering wheel, cruise control with speed limiter and automatic climate control.

In range-topping 1.8 Executive guise the Civic additionally benefits from door handles finished in chrome, front fog lights, electric folding mirrors, paddle-shift controls for the automatic version, Vehicle Stability Assist, a tyre deflation warning system, auto headlights and rain-sensing windscreen wipers.

I drove both the manual and auto version flagships of the latest Civic over a by now familiar stretch of winding roads and sweeping mountain passes between George, Oudtshoorn via Mossel Bay back to George and although I always enjoy this pleasant testing terrain, this time round the Civic made it a rather special treat.

The boot is slightly larger and is complemented by 60/40 split-folding rear seats for added versatility.

It is Honda at its best... and it reflects the sort of appeal and quality that won the Civic the prestigious title of South African Car of the Year in 2007.

Honda SA, perhaps more than others, had a torrid time last year after the disasters in Japan and Thailand, following which Civic sales dried up when stock virtually ran out completely in about March. However, now that the smartly revitalised range is here Honda SA is setting its sights on full market recovery with ambitions of selling between 300 and 350 units a month between now and December, it's an odds-on bet that this target will be achieved with relative ease by the sharp and safe, sensible and smart Civic.

The full range and prices are:

1.6 Comfort Manual R209 900
1.6 Comfort Automatic R221 900
1.8 Comfort Manual R229 900
1.8 Comfort Automatic R241 900
1.8 Elegance Manual R259 900
1.8 Elegance Automatic R271 900
1.8 Executive Manual R269 900
1.8 Executive Automatic R282 900

Prices include a five-year/90 000km Service Plan and three-year/100 000km Warranty.

Specifications

HSAF Retail Price List - January 2012

All New 2012 Honda Civic Test Drive

2012 Honda Civic Video Review - Kelley Blue Book

2012 Honda Civic Review