Honda Civic 2012, presentation and road test in Málaga

We have arrived at the ninth generation of a model that is one of the most important pillars of Honda and that accounts for roughly half of the brand’s total sales in Spain , having sold more than 20 million worldwide, 2.3 million in Europe and 113,000 in our country.

The Honda Civic has undergone several changes throughout its history, evolving in technology and design, but it was in the previous generation that it underwent a very important and fairly well-received aesthetic revolution -40,000 units were sold in Spain-, which is consolidated in the ninth.

Revolutionary evolution

While in the previous generation we could see a completely new car, due to the large number of design innovations and a futuristic instrument panel, the trend has been maintained by introducing several elements very characteristic of the Insight or CRZ.

Honda wanted to listen to the criticism from users of the previous generation and has developed a chassis more oriented towards comfort, noticeably improving the front suspension -the rear one does not change- and lowering the height of the car by 20 millimeters, which will take its toll on several occasions. Despite increasing the width by 5 millimeters and the length by 45, the interior space is quite notable. The torsion bar is also improved, which is now stiffer, and a more direct steering ratio, somewhat soft for our taste.

One of the changes I personally like least aesthetically but which greatly improves the aerodynamics of the car is the rear third, which is very reminiscent of the brand’s hybrids and which allows reducing the aerodynamic coefficient by 0.03 points compared to its predecessor, standing at 0.27 Cx, which will benefit diesel engines in the long run through registration tax. We also note a rear wiper, which many users have sorely missed.

It will be offered in nine different colors, three of them new (metallic topaz yellow, pearl orchid white and pearl forest green), and red will be the only non-metallic one. The available test units featured yellow, red and forest green, the latter being not very successful as it gives off a sadness at first glance.

The engines will be two petrol units (1.4 and 1.8 i-VTEC with 100 and 142 CV respectively) and one 2.2 i-DTEC diesel with 150 CV.

Mechanical efficiency and energy savings, the brand’s trend

In a world where everything tends toward electric, hybrid and improving ecology in general, the work carried out by the mechanical team has been, at the very least, satisfactory. The fact is that it has managed to reduce diesel consumption by 20% without losing power and achieving CO₂ emissions below 120 g/km, allowing these engines to benefit from a 0% registration tax. The petrol engines do not share the same luck and will pay 4.75%, despite having achieved a 10% saving.

The benefits mentioned in the previous paragraph have come from the introduction of ECO Assist, which visually indicates to the driver the type of driving being done, gear-change recommendations and smoother throttle response, among other things.

The Idle stop or automatic engine stop at idle is also present in all versions and engines. In addition, in diesel versions, the Grille Shutter is introduced, which allows the grille to open depending on the driving.

More interior space

One of the things I liked most is the change in the position of the instrument panel, recovering the left-hand position lost in the previous generation, although it extends to the center to show more information. With this in mind, the driving position is wider, although it may give a sense of little enclosure.

The distance from the seat to the door increases by 45 millimeters and the handbrake seems to be part of the passenger seat due to its distance from it; it is not easy to find without looking for it deliberately. To the detriment of this, a storage compartment with a lid has been brought closer for emptying pockets.

On the other hand, and this is something that is liked and noticeable at the driving position, is the closer gear lever, and the position of the various controls and information screens, which are much more accessible. The sporty touch is provided by the airbag located on the sides of the driver’s seat, which allows inflation and deflation at the push of a button and which hold the body very well when we want to give our foot freedom on the accelerator.

The feeling of spaciousness in the rear seats is very pleasant, even with three adults, although the roof height is again very tight for people over 1.80 meters tall, especially in the middle position. The rear seats have a recess at their base which, as well as allowing daily storage of objects, makes folding the seats easier and leaves a flat, open surface across the whole boot for occasions of heavy loads, up to 1,210 litres.

The boot far outdoes other competitors, achieving 477 litres in total if we count the 70 litres left by the spare wheel well, which is optional and is correctly carpeted as if it were integrated. If we do not want the puncture repair kit, we can buy a spare wheel kit that fits correctly with bolts and is similar to any other car.

Dynamic behaviour

As soon as we get into the car we notice the spaciousness we had been told about. The keyless start and although the buttons have been adjusted and each one is in its place, we feel they can become saturated, especially the steering wheel controls, as there are many in a small space; and although in the more than 300 kilometres we did not touch any by mistake, the feeling is there.

The car chosen was the diesel engine, with 150 CV of power and 360 Nm of torque, which is felt in low gears; in high gears it is not pushed as hard, with ecology and a sense of comfort prevailing over sportiness. It is in third and fourth gears where we can squeeze out the full potential of the engine and rev it easily.

The odometer showed almost 180 kilometres along a winding road, though lacking tight bends but with many potholes and a very poor road surface; deliberately, as we learned later, to be able to test the damping, which responded wonderfully at the front. The rear was not the same. Although it reached its limit in some cases, it gave a sense of fishtailing, but the excellent ESP system corrected the line through the bend. The tyres fitted were the Michelin Primacy HP, the previous generation of those we were able to test a few days ago in Valencia.

We thank Honda for the time available for the test, more than 4 hours which, despite not being a standard test, allowed us to put the vehicle through several situations. We have already conveyed the impression: comfort has been preferred over sportiness, with a configuration better suited to motorways and big cities, although for fun we may miss a more radical version. If you are wondering about the existence of a Type R, nothing has been confirmed, but we can start dreaming that it is likely there will be one.

Our unit featured the Executive trim, the top of the range, with the Navigation system and ACC/CMBS (safe distance control) as an option, available for 4,000 euros more, which I do not recommend in most cases due to its high price. I might recommend the navigation-only option with a hard drive for 2,200 euros if desired, but on very few occasions.

Correct finishes, no plastic feel, and the very smooth steering wheel feel, leather with integrated stitching, with nothing protruding, which refines it even further. Very pleasant driving position with both front seats featuring lumbar adjustment, plus the i-MID multi-information display and climate control, among other things.

Prices, equipment and launch dates

Although general equipment has been greatly improved, including 17-inch alloy wheels (except on the most basic versions, which include 16-inch), Idle stop technology and the ECO Assist button on all versions, the Sport trim is improved by including a rear-view camera as standard without needing the navigation system.

The Executive also includes a full-length panoramic roof, a 6-speaker premium audio system (which reduces boot capacity by 10 litres), bi-xenon lights and Bluetooth hands-free as standard. This is just the beginning of all the equipment available for the Honda Civic 2012.

To make reading easier, a list of prices and basic features of the available models is provided, including official consumption, since we were unable to carry out a consumption test during the presentation. The official launch will be in February 2012, available at all Honda dealerships throughout Spain.

Photos | Javi Vicente and Gabriel