Test drive Honda Civic: update

Almost immediately after entering the Russian market in 2006, the Civic won the sympathy of buyers. Our, generally speaking, rather cautious car market unconditionally accepted this futuristic model.

The flashy appearance of the "Civic" left no one indifferent. Demand was so great that in the first months dealers even stopped taking orders — quotas ran out. Only a year later did the queues shrink to six months.

The rear of the updated Honda Civic is revealed by new lights with more prominent contours of the stop signals.

What is the secret of such love for the Honda Civic? First of all — in the bright, emotional design. The swift profile, the "cat-like" gaze of the front optics and the low seating position favorably distinguished the car among competitors. After the restyling, the Civic acquired new, more expressive head optics, original fog lights, a different front bumper with an aggressive pattern and a radiator grille. At the rear, lights with more prominent stop signals appeared. These are, perhaps, all the external changes. A little, you say? However, against the background of the previous version, the car noticeably freshened up.

Inside, everything is as before: the "space" front panel with two-tier instruments has not changed. And this is understandable — many owners bought the Civic precisely because of the interior, which still looks like from the future.

The interior remained true to itself: the same futuristic front panel with a two-tier instrument cluster. And this is correct, because a considerable percentage of owners chose the Civic precisely for the interior, which still looks like from the future. Of the innovations inside — only higher quality seat upholstery materials and a slightly changed their shape.

The restyled Civic received new, more expressive front optics, original fog lights, a new aggressive front bumper and a radiator grille.

The steering wheel of small diameter with adjustment in two planes is above all praise. The instruments, as if from a spaceship, are divided into two levels: below — a large tachometer, warning lamps and a small display of the trip computer; above — a digital speedometer and electronic scales of engine temperature and fuel reserve. It looks stylish. But beauty requires sacrifices: when you select a comfortable seating position, the upper rim of the steering wheel overlaps the second tier of instruments. To glance at the speed or the remaining fuel, you have to tilt your head. Otherwise, there are no questions about ergonomics.

Technically, the restyling changed nothing. The updated Honda Civic, as before, is equipped with a 1.8-liter petrol i-VTEC engine with 140 hp. Paired with it, a 6-speed manual and a 5-speed automatic are offered.

At the rear, it is spacious. Three adults can easily fit in the gallery. The absence of a central tunnel is a big plus for long trips, but the sofa is clearly designed for two: the middle passenger will be uncomfortable sitting for a long time. The trunk holds 455 liters, the rear seat back can be folded in a 60:40 ratio directly from the trunk compartment by pulling special handles. Previously, the trunk lid could only be opened with a lever from the cabin. In the updated version, this flaw was fixed — now all trim levels have remote opening with the key. The glove box is a bit small, but this is compensated by spacious niches for small items in the central console, tunnel, doors and armrest.

The technical filling remained the same. Under the hood — the same 1.8-liter petrol i-VTEC (140 hp). There are two gearboxes: a 6-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic. In the top version Executive with automatic transmission, there are paddle shifters for manual shifting.

The instruments, as in a "spaceship" of the future, are divided into two levels: on the lower one there is a large tachometer, various warning lamps and a small screen of the trip computer, on the second floor – a digital speedometer and electronic indicators of engine temperature and fuel level. Stylish.

The 140-horsepower engine pulls with a spark. The five-range automatic clicks gears quickly and smoothly, but the pause during kickdown is too long — precious seconds are lost during overtaking. The pedal assembly with a floor-mounted gas pedal also pleased.

The "Civic" also has order with handling. The sedan confidently holds the straight line, and the "zero" is clearly felt on the steering wheel. In corners, the effort and informativeness are pleasing. But if you overdo the speed at the entrance to a turn, the Honda begins to be capricious and go outward of the trajectory. To a large extent, this is due to the Yokohama winter tires, which tend to squeal in any at least somewhat fast turn.

In the back row, it is spacious. Three adult passengers can easily fit in the gallery. Thanks to the absence of a central tunnel, comfort on a long trip is ensured, but the sofa is profiled for two, so the central passenger will be uncomfortable on a long journey.

The suspension of the Honda Civic is assembled tightly, but it is somewhat stiff. Any unevenness does not go unnoticed, and above 100 km/h, tire noise begins to penetrate into the cabin: poor sound insulation is a long-standing problem of all Japanese cars.

During the update, an AUX linear output was added for all trim levels. The Elegance version acquired climate control, an alarm and a rear armrest, and the top Executive — finally xenon.

The trunk volume is 455 liters, the rear seat back can be folded in a 60:40 ratio directly from the trunk using special handles. Previously, the trunk lid could only be opened with a lever in the cabin. In the restyled version, this flaw was taken into account, and now all Honda Civic trim levels have received the function of remote trunk opening with the key.

The base Honda Civic in the Comfort trim with manual transmission costs 704,550 rubles, and a fully equipped sedan with an automatic transmission, which we had for a test, will cost 875,350 rubles. The updated Civic is offered in 7 colors, two of which — New Red and Urban Titanium — are new. For metallic paint, you will have to pay an additional 9,150 rubles.

With the "steering" of the Civic, everything is also in order. The sedan perfectly holds the straight line, and the "zero" position is very clearly traced on the steering wheel. In corners, good effort and feedback are pleasing.

Ruslan Galimov