Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC
Historically, Honda have never been too keen on diesel. Forget the fact that their 2.2-litre i-CTDi engine is now available in models from across their range and has been widely hailed as a triumph by commentators. Until relatively recently, the top brass from the big H were resolute in their opinion that diesel had nothing to offer over good-old unleaded.
Such a conviction might seem misguided with hindsight and in context of a modern European car market increasingly besotted with diesel cars but then, Honda were in possession of some of the worlds finest petrol engine technology at the time these views were prevalent. They still are and in the 1.8-litre Honda Civic, i-VTEC petrol power continues to make a strong case for itself.
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Todays Civic benefits from that unit as well as the 1.8-litre i-VTEC petrol we feature here. Despite the diesels capacity to grab the headlines, the petrol option has undeniable charm that dates back to old-school Honda. Honda VTEC petrol engines are characterised by their high-revving performance and the i-VTEC 1.
8 in the Civic is the latest incarnation of that line. It produces its maximum output of 138bhp at a lofty 6,300rpm, inviting the driver to hold each gear and explore the upper reaches of the rev range to achieve the quickest progress. The reward for flirting with the red line is a charismatic high-pitched growl and an 8.9s 0-60mph time but the beauty of the i-VTEC technology is that for the 90% of the time when most drivers dont feel like putting the hammer down, it remains relatively subdued and economical.
"Its a highly advanced free-revving petrol engine in the best Honda traditions"
The 1.8-litre engine pours its power on smoothly and you can still make good progress without letting the revs rise up towards 6,000rpm. Theres 174Nm of torque being generated at 4,300rpm and average fuel economy of 44.1mpg is very good for a 1.
8-litre family hatchback (Vauxhalls Astra 1.8 manages a 10.1s 0-60mph time and returns 36mpg). The i-VTEC system achieves its impressive results through the art of variable valve timing and lift.
The engine incorporates twin sets of cams to intelligently adjust the valves which control the volume of air entering the engine. During acceleration or other high engine loads, the high-output cams work to boost performance but when youre just pottering around, the fuel economy cams take over to maximise efficiency. This also has benefits in terms of emissions, with the 1.8-litre engines 152g/km CO2 output being lower than many smaller cars with smaller engines like SEATs 1.
4-litre Ibiza or Fords 1.6-litre Fiesta. The Civic 1.8 i-VTEC is available across most of the entire trim level range, which means S, SE, Sport, ES and EX versions of the car in five-door form, where prices start from £14,067.
You can also go for the sportier three-door Type-S with this engine at prices starting from £15,277. All variants come with power steering, a height adjustable drivers seat, remote keyless entry, central locking, a rear spoiler and twin chrome exhausts. Once youve settled on a trim level, theres a choice of 6-speed manual or i-Shift semi-automatic gearboxes. The Civic offers a really good driving position with firm side bolsters in the seat for support and the headrest hovering just behind your cranium.
The pedals feel well weighted underfoot and theres a large foot rest area to give the left peg a break from clutching duties. The power assisted steering is very light and direct, greatly simplifying low speed work. That said, theres little feedback through the wheel and things can get slightly twitchy on the motorway because of this steering sharpness. The gear lever flows around the standard six-speed gearbox with finger-light ease but the action isnt as reassuring or solid as in top rivals.
The Civic has plenty of grip and does much to inspire confidence through the corners. Overall, theres no doubt its up amongst the class best handlers. This is a great-looking car, a real head-turner, but the designers have taken this futuristic high-tech line rather than going for the classically beautiful. The decision does leave question marks about how the ground-breaking look will age but whether or not the years are kind to the Civic, dull rivals like Fords Focus and Toyotas Auris will never look as good as this Honda does now.
Once you get past that swoosh of light and plastic across the cars nose, the plunging bonnet line and the multi-angled rear end, its the detailing that stays with you. The triangular exhausts, the split rear windscreen, the concealed rear door handles and the recessed front ones: Honda have pulled out the stops to make this car different. Inside, youre confronted with a daunting array of buttons and digital displays that make you instinctively feel like reaching to the owners manual, but its not as complex as it looks. The information you need is laid out in two tiers with the digital speedo and optional satellite navigation system located near the base of the windscreen so your eyes neednt divert too far from the road ahead. The rev counter, fuel gauge and trip computer are lower in a more conventional instrument binnacle.
Again, its the detailing thats most eye-catching; the red starter button on the drivers right, the tactile control dials for the air-con and the sat nav. None of it would feel out of place in an executive saloon and the steering wheel is one of the most comfortable designs around. Theres a large blind spot created by the thick C pillar and the split rear window also restricts rearward visibility. Overall though, the Civic is riddled with great design.
Its practical too: the car is actually shorter and lower than its predecessor but its wider by 45mm and, crucially, the wheelbase is increased to 2,640mm. General interior space is good and theres a massive 485 litres of capacity in the boot. The 60:40 split rear seat backs can be folded down to increase this space or the seat bases can be simply pulled up, producing a separate load compartment between the front seats and the boot. In a money-no-object buying decision, the i-CTDi diesel will still get the nod from most but at £1,500 less, the 1.8-litre i-VTEC petrol will appeal to cost-conscious customers. Its a highly advanced free-revving petrol engine in the best Honda traditions and it suits the high-tech Civic down to the ground.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Honda Civic 1.8 range
PRICES: £14,067-£17,427 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 9E-10E
CO2 EMISSIONS: 152-156g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 8.9s / Max Speed 127mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 44.1mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side and curtain airbags, ABS, VSA
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/heightmm 4250/1760/1460mm
