Honda Civic Range : FUTURE PERFECT

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Honda's Civic has been mildly improved. It still makes much of the chasing pack feel very old indeed. Jonathan Crouch reports

Has any car ever changed quite as much as Honda's Civic? Once an old person's runabout, it is these days something of a technological showcase, this transformation achieved in just a couple of generations. This current model features a higher-tech 1.4-litre i-VTEC petrol engine to join the 1.8 and 2.0-litre i-VTEC units already included in a range that also incorporates a great 2.2-litre diesel engine. Great design, sharp driving manners and excellent dealer backup all come as standard whichever model you choose.

It's not too often a car is launched that, at a stroke, manages to make all of its rivals look way behind the curve. This however, is what Honda has managed with their current eighth generation Civic, a car that marked out a new generation of family hatches. This car, more than any other, has been responsible for driving down the average age of Honda ownership. The Civic name still stands for impeccable practicality, space and reliability but these days, there's a bit of spice to it too. Recent changes see improvements to the entry-level 1.4-litre petrol unit and a wider transmission choice. Four engines are offered at present. The entry level powerplant is now a 100bhp 1.4-litre i-VTEC petrol unit, quicker, cleaner and quieter than the old 82bhp i-DSi engine. Emissions are down from 139g/km to 134g/km of CO2 and if you want to get that down still further, there's the option of Honda's next-generation 6-speed i-SHIFT automated manual transmission which returns 132g/km. Here, the driver can choose between either Auto Mode for a more relaxed driving style, or Manual Mode for a more involving drive, using the sequential gearshift or steering wheel mounted paddles - the left paddle controlling down-shifts and the right paddle for up-shifts. If you want a bit more punch, there's a 139bhp 1.8-litre petrol engine (now with the option of a conventional 5-speed auto `box), with a 2.0-litre version of this unit offered on the flagship Type-R. The most popular engine in the range is the 139bhp 2.2-litre diesel unit. All units are mated with a six-speed manual gearbox, making the Civic one of the only cars in the family hatch sector to be equipped with six-speed gearboxes across all of its range.

"A car that's marked out a new generation of family hatchesâ€¦"

The torquey 2.2-litre diesel unit remains the real star and the slick, wristy six-speed manual gearbox will have you punching up and down the ratios just for the sheer fun of it. When this Civic hatch was first launched, many thought it was a case of style over substance, as the complex and expensive multilink rear suspension of the previous model was replaced by a more rudimentary torsion beam arrangement. While the torsion beam isn't quite as adept at the very limit as a decent multilink, it's very very good and 99% of the Civic's clientele will appreciate the space benefits it brings. You'd have to be a real Honda anorak to notice the changes that have been made to this car. Uprated exterior plastics and a restyled rear combination light cluster have been used to make the car's overall appearance more premium, while changes to the grille have been made to aid cooling and accommodate the new auto 'box for 1.8-litre models. Inside, uprated plastics and better quality trim materials have been used, including a brushed metal effect trim and matt finish, as seen in the Type R. Smarter seat fabrics have also been introduced. Although the MK8 Civic is significantly smaller than the previous generation version on the outside, the company claims that room inside is just as generous as before. Instead of trying to understand how Honda has warped the time-space continuum, it's easier to spot the simple engineering solutions they've employed. Like the Jazz, the Civic features a fuel tank that's centrally-mounted along the cross member below the front seats. This means that the seats in the rear can fold flat and there's no intrusion into the cargo bay floor. Just because you opt for a three-door model doesn't bring any penalty in luggage carrying ability, the 485 litres of loading space identical to the more family-friendly five-door car. All versions of this Honda are generously specified, with the top models featuring equipment usually only found on far bigger cars. Standard across the range are features like climate control air-conditioning, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), trip computer, front, side and curtain airbags, rake and reach adjustable steering column and rear `Magic' seats. High grade models feature innovations such as automatic lights and wiper functions, high intensity discharge headlamps, Dual Zone Climate Control and retractable door mirrors, in addition to options such as alloy wheels, DVD satellite navigation and leather trim. The popular Type-S variant is fitted as standard with silver-stitched black alcantara seats and a leather trimmed steering wheel. Peer into the footwell and you'll spot a natty aluminium pedal set too. Previous Civics have built a reputation for Honda as being amongst the safest cars in their class and this car continues the theme. With a stronger body structure and subframes, recessed pedals, double pretensioners on the front seatbelts and side curtain airbags, this car has achieved a Euro NCAP five star result for front and side impact safety, three stars for pedestrian safety and four stars for child protection safety. The Civic's 138bhp diesel engine is one of the best of its ilk and it's cost effective too, weighing in at either Group 10 or Group 11 insurance, dependent on trim level. With an average fuel consumption figure of 54.3mpg it's certainly not going to cost the earth in terms of ongoing running costs. All Civics perform well in terms of fuel consumption. Even the racy 2.0-litre Type R is good for 31mpg and unlike many of its rivals, it's quite easy to replicate this figure as long as you're not revving the engine hard. Prices aren't cheap, pitched well above those of mainstream rivals, so it's just as well that depreciation is another area where the Civic excels, a base 1.4i model clinging onto 50% of its value after three years and the Type R GT a massive 57%, compared to 45% for an entry-level Ford Focus ST. Some of that margin will be lost due to higher servicing costs for the Honda but Civics remain cars that, once you've swallowed the stiff purchase price, are then not exorbitant to keep on the road. Some have never bonded with the Civic's styling while others claim that it will date very rapidly but these are subjective points. What's beyond debate is that in the eighth generation Civic, Honda has brought to market a bold, groundbreaking vehicle that caught the rest of the market on the hop. The range of engines offered might not be the broadest but each is extremely good and these days, even the entry level 1.4 i-VTEC powerplant is now worth seeking out. The interiors will also split opinion but you can't fault Honda for going out on a limb. Sales to date have been strong despite stiff competition from the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Renault. In reducing the average age of Civic buyers, Honda hopes that brand loyalty will stem from this cadre of Civic owners. Given the take up so far, it's a strategy that may well have some legs.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: Honda Civic range
PRICES: £14,250-£21,080 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 4-17
CO2 EMISSIONS: 132-215g/km
PERFORMANCE: [1.8] 0-60mph 8.9s / Max Speed 127mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.4] (combined) 55.4mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side and curtain airbags, ABS, VSA
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/heightmm 4250/1760/1460mm