Honda Civic

Once the darling of the executive sedan segment, the Honda Civic made an unceremonial exit from India in 2012. After skipping a generation altogether, Honda’s sleek executive sedan has made a comeback in India and the latest model promises much. The new Honda Civic is available in petrol-CVT auto and diesel-manual engine-gearbox options.

Once the darling of the executive sedan segment, the Honda Civic made an unceremonial exit from India in 2012. After ...

Once the darling of the executive sedan segment, the Honda Civic made an unceremonial exit from India in 2012. After skipping a generation altogether, Honda’s sleek executive sedan has made a comeback in India and the latest model promises much. The new Honda Civic is available in petrol-CVT auto and diesel-manual engine-gearbox options.

The new Honda Civic is relatively low-slung and decidedly sporty in look. But what gives the new Civic most distinction is its fastback-like tail section. It’s not quite as dramatic on the inside but the cabin is neatly done and the overall quality is good. The feel from behind the wheel is of being in a sporty car but the low seat height means you have to really lower yourself into a Civic cabin. In true Honda fashion, though, seat comfort is excellent.
The Honda Civic’s 141hp, 1.8-litre petrol engine is smooth and loves to be revved. You do have to contend with a flat mid-range but the responsive paddle shifters do give you the option to keep the engine in its sweet spot. The petrol’s CVT auto is also rather nice but enthusiasts will miss a manual transmission option. The Honda Civic diesel is likeable, too, with its good refinement, a linear power delivery and a slick-shifting 6-speed manual gearbox. However, the 120hp, 1.6-litre engine isn’t punchy like some rivals’ units.
Of the other things, the Civic’s suspension is impressively pliant and, thankfully, ground clearance isn’t a problem either. A sharp steering and good body control also makes the Civic fun in the corners.

The new Honda Civic is relatively low-slung and decidedly sporty in look. But what gives the new Civic most distincti...

The new Honda Civic is relatively low-slung and decidedly sporty in look. But what gives the new Civic most distinction is its fastback-like tail section. It’s not quite as dramatic on the inside but the cabin is neatly done and the overall quality is good. The feel from behind the wheel is of being in a sporty car but the low seat height means you have to really lower yourself into a Civic cabin. In true Honda fashion, though, seat comfort is excellent.
The Honda Civic’s 141hp, 1.8-litre petrol engine is smooth and loves to be revved. You do have to contend with a flat mid-range but the responsive paddle shifters do give you the option to keep the engine in its sweet spot. The petrol’s CVT auto is also rather nice but enthusiasts will miss a manual transmission option. The Honda Civic diesel is likeable, too, with its good refinement, a linear power delivery and a slick-shifting 6-speed manual gearbox. However, the 120hp, 1.6-litre engine isn’t punchy like some rivals’ units.
Of the other things, the Civic’s suspension is impressively pliant and, thankfully, ground clearance isn’t a problem either. A sharp steering and good body control also makes the Civic fun in the corners.

First things first, the Honda Civic is a bit pricey for the class. And it is also available in fewer engine-gearbox combinations than rivals.
Nice and efficient as the diesel engine Civic is, it’s not the one we’d pick. The petrol engine is more in keeping with the Civic’s sporty personality. Of the Civic petrol trims, we’d pass on the ‘base’ V that feels too basic for this segment. The mid-spec VX gets quite a fair bit by way of features, including leather seats, a powered driver’s seat, dual-zone auto climate control and a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Still, if you don’t mind paying the premium, the top-spec Civic ZX is the one to buy. It adds in LED headlights, an electric sunroof and Honda’s unique Lane Watch Camera, and it also looks the business, courtesy its larger 17-inch alloy wheels.

First things first, the Honda Civic is a bit pricey for the class. And it is also available in fewer engine-gearbox c...

First things first, the Honda Civic is a bit pricey for the class. And it is also available in fewer engine-gearbox combinations than rivals.
Nice and efficient as the diesel engine Civic is, it’s not the one we’d pick. The petrol engine is more in keeping with the Civic’s sporty personality. Of the Civic petrol trims, we’d pass on the ‘base’ V that feels too basic for this segment. The mid-spec VX gets quite a fair bit by way of features, including leather seats, a powered driver’s seat, dual-zone auto climate control and a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Still, if you don’t mind paying the premium, the top-spec Civic ZX is the one to buy. It adds in LED headlights, an electric sunroof and Honda’s unique Lane Watch Camera, and it also looks the business, courtesy its larger 17-inch alloy wheels.