Honda Civic has been the flagship model of Honda Motor Company for over four decades now. Launched back in 1972, the car is one of the most critically and commercially acclaimed models of the company and has till date managed to maintain its stature in the international market. Currently, in its 10th generation, the car is set to return to India after skipping almost a generation and a half. The only model introduced in India was the 8th gen. (2006-12). The car was loved by the country and got a lot of praise from critics. The stylish look mixed with space, comfort, reliability, driving pleasure and premium feel simply won over the heart of the market. This time around things will be interesting for the vehicle. Judging by the way they things are going the company is placing it against Corolla Altis, Elantra and Octavia. The compact car has a tough job ahead. Altis and Octavia both were very well received and have made the executive sedan market very tight. Breaking in will be a rather tough job. Let us take a closer look as to what does the car offer and whether or not one should buy it.
EXTERIOR
The car hopes to make a strong style statement. It holds its traditional Honda looks but some radical changes can be seen as well as felt. The car aspires for a sporty look and it manages to get it. Lines and curves flourish – from the tipped-forward chrome grille that goes into LED headlamps, to the bulging wheel arches front and rear and the rising beltline that meets up with the curved, roof at the back makes the car look rugged. The tail is too carefully built. The way the roof flows down is artistic which makes sure the headroom isn’t compromised. Also, the headlamps look aggressive and add to the sporty look of the car. The boot, despite giving a look otherwise, has a wide opening and keeps the overall storage in car convenient. The car commands attention from every angle.
Interior
Civic back when it was first introduced created waves not just because of its looks but also because of the interior structuring and functioning. The vehicle took the overall interior game multiple steps above. However, since then the focus on interiors has gone up. So one can’t expect the same result but even keeping that out a bit more was expected from Civic. Despite this, it is definitely the sportiest car in the segment. The dash flows out from the centre mildly and the controls fall neatly in their place. The interiors have ample storage place. The glove compartment is huge, the door bins are big and because of the handbrake being electric, there is a fair amount of space between the two front seats. The temperature and fuel gauge are analogue based. The rest of the functions are neatly placed in a crisp and colourful high-resolution screen. They have done a great job with seats. Cushioning is done in a great fashion making it the perfect blend of comfort and support. The driver’s seat is powerful and firm. Provides a great view and makes sure the vehicle is under command. The rear seats could have done a better job. The seats are very low. The windows of the rear seats are also very small. The place behind also doesn’t allow great headroom. Yes, the back has been done an in a great manner but the overall structure simply doesn’t allow enough headroom. The previous models even provided audio control set-ups on armrest but this one doesn’t even allow any USB slots much less any other luxury. It’s simply sad. Civic has provided several features like LED headlamps, dual-zone climate control, a powered driver’s seat, the part-digital instrument cluster, a sunroof and six airbags. It also has some segment first features, like remote engine start, an electronic parking brake, the auto-locking on walking away with the key, and Honda’s innovative Lane Watch camera feature (a rear-facing camera in the left wing mirror shows you if it’s clear to move once you turn on the left indicator). However, there are some features the Civic misses, which you will find in rivals – like cooled seats, driver seat memory, front parking sensors, and proximity-based boot opening. Overall the interiors are fair. However, they could have clearly done a better job. Given the last generation model which was defined by most as revolutionary, this is a clear letdown.
Driving
Riding is an important aspect when talking about a subcompact vehicle. The looks are simply an addon but it is driving which invites customers in this segment. Let us take a closer look at how the car fairs in this sector. The Civic comes with a diesel engine, which debuted in the CR-V in 2018. While 120hp and 300Nm of torque sounded a bit inadequate for a seven-seat SUV, for Civic it’s about being with the segment. However, an important change is that while the CR-V diesel is only available as an automatic, the Civic diesel is only available with a 6-speed manual. Whereas Honda’s expensive 9-speed automatic gearbox would have simply driven the price too high. The petrol engine – a revised version of the venerable 1.8-litre i-VTEC motor, now with 141hp – is only available as an automatic, since Honda simply doesn’t offer a manual gearbox with this engine anymore, worldwide. Riding a civic was a great experience because of ride and handling. It is great news for everyone as the car nails both yet again. In fact, the riding experience is even better with this one. Whereas the old car felt a bit jerky and stiff at places, this one is more comfortable and abled. The car also raises the ground clearance making sure the car doesn’t crash down on bumps. Overall a pleasant riding experience.
Should I buy One
The car in terms of looks provides what you want. It's sporty, rugged and makes sure it commands people’s attention wherever it goes. It looks and gives what its buyers want. Coming down to in terms of interiors it could have done a better job. The functions are fair but the product could have been way better had they focused on the rear section. Right now it looks as if it’s a car for drivers, not the passengers. With a current range from 17.7 lacks to 22.3 lacks the car is fairly ranged. It has made it clear it is targeting a particular class but will it be successful? It doesn’t really offer anything special that one would want to stop at it but at the same time, it does provide a lot. If successfully marketed it can for sure find an audience.