Test drive Honda Civic 1.0 VTEC: leader's wood

The sportiness of the Honda Civic, in all its versions, makes it a benchmark in the compact segment. We tested the 1.0 VTEC turbo version with 129 CV.

Talking about the Honda Civic means talking about exclusivity. Not understood as luxury, but as the differentiation that comes from driving a unique, different car that, until now, has no equal. And this is no exaggeration, since we are talking about a model with a design that is radically opposed to what the market usually offers. In addition to a chassis that comes close to perfection and a range of engines, both diesel and petrol, with more than remarkable performance.

In our case, the engine we tested is the 1.0 VTEC turbo with 129 CV. We tell you what we thought below.

Honda Civic 1.0 VTEC turbo with 129 CV

The first idea that may come to mind when you learn we are talking about a Honda Civic with a three-cylinder engine is that it is a “small” engine. But the reality is that it is an engine sufficient to get through day-to-day driving and much more. Its performance pleasantly surprised us, since, relying on a wonderful chassis, it delivers a level of dynamism that very few compacts with an engine of this displacement and cylinder count can match. Something to which the optional adaptive suspension from the Executive trim also contributes, although the dynamic behaviour is already very good with the standard suspension.

Besides its small displacement, there is another great feature of this engine: the unmistakable prominence of the turbo. Its presence makes accelerating in the Civic a small addiction when we hit the road, masking the lack of “punch” at low revs that such a small engine might have. However, from 1,500 rpm the engine of this Honda Civic starts to deploy its full potential and has more than enough power until reaching the maximum power regime, at 5,500 rpm. No, have no doubts: three-cylinder engines have been gaining ground for some time in displacements between 1 and 1.5 litres, and they offer more and more performance. This 1.0 VTEC Honda engine, for example, is not at all “strained”, and we are sure that Honda could offer another variant of this 1.0 VTEC with more power, getting close to the 140 CV Ecoboost of Ford… or even overtaking them on the right.

And all this with a consumption that, while not the most economical for a 1.0-litre engine, stays at around 6 litres per 100 km in real use. It is true that excessive urban driving penalises consumption on short journeys, reaching 7 litres if traffic is heavy; but on the open road, without abusing speed, we can achieve real consumption figures without exceeding 5 litres by much.

Behind the wheel

The six-speed manual gearbox is the first great ally of this Civic’s engine. A very precise, comfortable and direct gearbox, with gear ratios that, together with the engine’s good behaviour, let you free your right hand and play with the throttle without undue worry about changing gear. The other great ally of the engine, as could not be otherwise when talking about a Honda Civic, is the chassis. A delight for the senses that lets you enjoy the driving experience like few compacts on the market.

This is one of the pillars on which every generation of the Civic has always been built. And in this version, launched in 2017, you can feel a composure and a precision that rubs off on you as soon as you take the wheel. The steering is extremely precise, and a small touch on the wheel is enough to take the car wherever we want. The cornering comes close to absolute perfection, following an invisible line without the slightest sign of body roll, however winding the road. The dynamic sensations are topped off by a supple, well-judged suspension for comfortable everyday driving, which gains firmness if we activate the “adaptive suspension” mode that comes as standard on the Civic from the Executive trim upwards.

This is how we find an extra dose of sportiness, with hardly any loss of comfort, thanks to that extra firmness in the suspension and slightly firmer steering that bring more feedback and make for an entertaining time at the controls of the Civic. This is where the Civic’s engine finally won us over, leaving behind any initial reservations about a three-cylinder that pushes hard and which the sporty chassis set up by Honda is capable of pushing to uncommon heights.

Honda Civic: making the difference

The Honda Civic’s chassis and its sportiness behind the wheel are powerful enough weapons to set the Japanese compact apart from the competition. But, as if that were not enough, its design offers an extra that is always welcome in a market where the appetite for taking risks is conspicuously absent.

We are talking about a bodywork with character, personality, boldness and a sporty accent. It may well be a touch “made in Japan”, but that is precisely why the Civic is so different, both outside and inside. Because if the rear spoiler, the rear diffusers and the grille vertices make for a daring look, the interior cabin also has its own stamp.

The Japanese technology is evident from the very first moment, with the large touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard and all its infotainment system, sensibly laid out and making it easy to control almost everything through the multifunction steering wheel. All of this, together with the complete pack of active safety assistants, makes the Honda Civic a technological compendium worthy of the Honda factory.

And there is no need to go to a top-of-the-range version or to choose every possible extra from Honda to get a Civic with a high dose of technology. Our test Honda Civic was an Executive Premium, which in terms of engine sits in the middle of the range, with a starting price of €25,650, and it had a really complete specification. We are talking about Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist and Unintended Gear Change Warning in terms of active safety. In comfort, entertainment and design, we find a parking sensor and rear camera, a 7″ touchscreen with Garmin navigation, heated front seats, an 11-speaker Premium audio system, a glass sunroof, privacy glass and 17″ alloy wheels, among other features.

Civic range: which is the best option?

Starting from the premise that the Honda Civic is priced above (from €20,450) rivals of the calibre of the Renault Mégane (from €17,152), the new Ford Focus (from €19,575) or the Seat León (from €18,270), you need to choose carefully which Civic to go for. The choice between diesel and petrol will be the starting point given the strong performance both engines deliver. We would recommend a petrol version not only because of everything happening around diesel (rising taxes, ECO labels, falling sales), but because this petrol engine proves to be a more than valid option whether you are looking for smoothness and refinement or low consumption. Now, the question is whether to go for the 1.0 or the 1.5 VTEC of the Honda. More power or better consumption?

Off the line, we have a Honda Civic 1.0 Turbo VTEC Executive for €25,650 that we mentioned earlier. Meanwhile, the 182 CV option of the Civic 1.5 Turbo VTEC Sport comes in at €25,600. A slim difference, for which the 1.5 loses a little equipment but gains a more sporty aerodynamic kit. And in terms of engine, there is no doubt that if you choose the more powerful version you will have more fun… at the cost of having to fill the tank more often.

In short, if you like the Honda Civic for everything it represents and can opt for an engine larger than the three-cylinder, do not hesitate. Not because the 1.0 will leave you wanting more, but because with the 182 CV of the 1.5 you will enjoy driving more for the same price. What is certain is that you will not go wrong with any of its versions, since the Honda Civic is one of the best-selling cars in history.

Honda Civic 1.0 VTEC image gallery

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackHonda Civic3 versions · from 36,300 €