Test Honda Civic 1.0 VTEC Turbo Executive: A new era in the japanese brand

Probably if you think of a car that defines Honda the first thing that comes to mind, in addition to the legendary supercar NSX, is the Honda Civic. Released in 1972 and 10 generations behind after 45 years of existence, is not that the Civic is one of the models iconic of the brand from Hamamatsu.

This tenth generation presented by the japanese manufacturer in 2017 incorporates, in addition to a exterior design more attractive and sporty than the generation to which it relieves, a new range of engines. These thrusters have now with the turbo, which helps strengthen the lower and middle turns. Honda introduced three engines with three displacements different, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0, which will be used, in turn, three variants of the Civic, being the more sporty Type-R, which now has 320 horses.

Although the Honda Civic can’t be considered a bestseller in our country, it is certain that the japanese brand has done a great job with this last generation to try to increase their sales, by providing the compact japanese a dynamic behavior excellent and of a design quite appealing which is complemented to perfection with a good habitability.

unique Forms in the C-segment

The Honda Civic is a car that by design, or you like it or hate it, no half measures. Personally, I think the japanese have done a good job with this latest generation. Starting with its exterior design, the Honda Civic has a few lines not usual in this segment. Has gained appeal with respect to the previous generation. It now has a most elegant forms and sports, without leaving aside the exoticism that surrounds this model in terms of their designs for at least two generations.

Starting at the front, your silhouette is slightly similar to what we find in the renewed supercar hybrid of the japanese brand, the Honda NSX. A band of black plastic encompasses both the brand’s logo as the headlights. At the bottom are air intakes, simulated, since not all the grid serves as the input of air. It is there where we also find the fog lights.

At your side is where we see the silhouette sporting. A few lines agile and stylized that extend from the front, which seems to a lower altitude, until the C-pillar, giving it an appearance of the coupé in spite of being a hatchback. At the back we also find the two spoilers in this version, the one on top of the moon back and other over the headlights. On the other hand, a chrome frame located above the windows gives it a stylish look.

In behind, personally, has gained appeal with respect to the previous generation. Like that was going on in that version, its pilots on the rear, now resized and larger, they are united by a small spoiler. At the bottom of the rear, more grids to false which serve to give the Civic a sporty look, and follow in line with the set design.

Amplitude in the interior, but not all that one would expect

The outer dimensions of the Honda Civic are 4,52 meters in length, 1.8 width and 1.43 high. Its wheelbase is 2.70 meters. The new Honda Civic has won 15 centimeters of length with respect to the previous generation. This amount may not seem like much, but in terms of crashes is an outrage. In fact it has increased so much so that it was not clear whether it belongs to the C-segment, which traditionally corresponds, or in the D segment, the hatchback small.

According to its length, is closer to a BMW 3 Series, which measures 4,63 meters, a Volkswagen Golf, with its 4,26 meters to define it as the compact par excellence. That has increased its dimensions does not mean that the livability is going to be much more higher with respect to the previous generation. In fact, that is what happens. On the one hand, the squares in front are comfortable, and despite the forms of your dashboard, which is inclined towards the front windshield, are wide.

Your driving position is one of the best aspects that has the new Honda Civic, if you like to go close to the ground. The seat can be configured to operate in a posture very low, which contributes to the feeling of driving another type of car and not a compact. In addition, the shift lever is close to the driver. The steering wheel is adjustable in height and depth. The front seats, upholstered in leather, grab well in situations of quick turns and are heated. On the other hand, the headrest is adjustable in height and in inclination.

In the rear seats do not have the same luck that in the front, because due to the shapes style coupe, which require that the C-pillar is more close to the ground, penalized enough in terms of the headroom available to occupants of this area. This on the contrary, contrasted with the good legroom in these seats. If you don’t measure more than 1.80 you will be able to perform long journeys without any problems. Are heated in the version Executive, which was the one that we tested.

The trunk has a capacity of 478 liters, which we positioned as the hatchback with greater cargo capacity. Their forms are regular, although you lose some width due to the plastic moldings. Account also with a flap that is folded to form the side, it is lightweight and serves to separate the load of the occupants. A solution, very practical and useful. If you flip down the seats, you will get 1.267 liters of capacity, but the soil will not be totally flush.

Is this a spaceship?

If the exterior design I had seemed exotic, the interior increases this feeling. Nothing more to get in the car and sit in the driver’s position, then we feel a little lost. The dashboard really looks like a space ship, shall we say. But nothing could be further from the reality, once we took the few minutes we see that all the essential elements for driving are there, as in all the cars.

Starting with the box of instruments, is divided into three sections. On the left will show the oil temperature and on the right side the level of fuel. It should be noted that indicators of both are a few small bars of colored blue, while generating a feeling of being in the near future by the night, are not seen as well during the day, which can get a little uncomfortable. In the center, we find the rev counter and trip information presented on a digital display.

The trip computer is simple, but it works correctly, showing aspects as useful as the current consumption, the music that is playing, the direction in which we are leading or what we are stepping on the accelerator pedal, which is indicated by a small bar that lights up green as you accelerate.

From the steering wheel you can access to different menus. The buttons on the left side you can configure the volume, the navigator of the trip, the phone and the voice recognition system. On the other hand, you can activate or deactivate the active cruise control, speed limiter and the wizard for the involuntary change of lane.

On the right side of the steering wheel we have 5 buttons that we used to activate or deactivate security systems, as are the system precolisión, parking sensors, both front and rear -activates the camera located at the back for a greater control in the maneuver, the stability control ESP, the alert involuntary change lanes and the headlight cleaning.

Going to the dashboard, the power of the Civic is presented to us by way of a red button that calls quite a bit of attention, since it stands out with the dark color of the dashboard. In the center console we find the infotainment system, which I will explain at the end, the air-conditioning system, two buttons to activate the heated seats, the airbag warning light the airbag and a pleasant surprise, wireless charging, something that is not usually seen in this segment.

Reaching to the infotainment system, has a 7-inch screen -there is also a 5-inch-, and all its buttons are tactile, something that is not too comfortable when driving. Its graphics are somewhat outdated compared to the systems of the competition, and if that is missing, in addition to higher fluidity, better care for the design of the system. In general it works correctly, is compatible with Android Auto and Apple Car Play, and connects quickly to our smartphone via bluetooth. In addition, it has access to the Internet to give us information about the traffic or the current time. In the frame of the screen we also find shortcuts to the main Home screen and the Menu, as well as buttons to turn off the system, turn back, or regulate the media volume.

Another of the aspects that I haven’t liked has been the hollow slide beneath the wireless charging. It is difficult to access, and has connections more necessary that the wireless charging -perhaps a rearrangement between the wireless charging, and these connections would have been more correct-. In this box we find a USB jack, another HDMI and the other to 12 volts.

Ending with the section, Honda has used good quality materials for the interior of the latest Civic. Its construction is good, not heard cracks odd and there is a predominance of plastic and are finished in glossy black -the well-known as Piano Black, which is something to be thankful for. On the other hand has many holes in it slides, both on the central console, as in the glove compartment, which is great. In general, the japanese have opted for a modern interior design and futuristic, and except for the multimedia system that gives you the feeling of being obsolete, they have done a good job on the Civic.

Engines, VTEC Turbo, the beginning of a new era

Although it is really the era of the new engines, VTEC Turbo started with the Honda Civic Type R of the previous generation, which featured an engine of 2-liter 4-cylinder engine that produced 310 horsepower, has been in this generation when the Honda has decided to include in its range of “standard” these new engines. Since 1989, the japanese firm uses this system of variable timing of the valves, called VTEC, to provide a better torque at low revs and more power in the high. Thanks to the turbo, these new engines will have more power at low revs.

The turbos on these three engines -1.0 129 HP, 1.5 182 HP and 2.0 320 CV – are of fixed geometry. This makes it build enough pressure at low loads, which helps to a linear behavior as the one that has the Honda Civic 1.0. In addition we must also take account the VTEC system, which helps the engine to develop improved performance at high spins.

– engine 1-litre three-cylinder of 129 horses and 200 Nm of torque, which is the one that we have used in the test, delivers the power smoothly and linear, the engine is quiet. When you have three cylinders it could give the sense that sound and vibrates more than one of four, but Honda has tuned very well for this generation of engines VTEC Turbo and the impeller smallest of its range does not acknowledge these problems.

Its engine is mated to a gearbox 6-speed manual. Due to the driving posture that forces us to place the compact japanese, the knob is located in a perfect position to execute the gear changes. On the other hand, their tours are shorter, which further increases the sporty feel that gives this new Civic. Honda also offers an automatic gearbox drive continuous called a CVT, although that is buying without any doubt, it is the manual.

on the other hand did not note too much the entry of the VTEC system or the turbo. As I said before, your behavior is very soft, and the japanese have refined the input of these two systems so much that you will barely notice its incorporation in terms of the power delivery. It also has an Eco mode -something which is already a tradition in the Civic – that cuts off the delivery of power so as to decrease the number of consumption, although it must be said that the difference in the normal mode is not too large.

Consumption

In terms of consumption is a car that surprises. In a normal step along the dual carriageway your figure is around 4.8 litres/100 km, and will be in city driving where it is positioned a little bit higher, something normal, the encrypting of around 7.2 litres/100 km

time the Honda Civic has only petrol engines, but it is expected that a diesel version of 120 horses. In terms of consumption, the engine of 1 liter and 129 horses is quite effective, and by behavior and power delivery is more than recommended for day-to-day.

linear Behavior despite its appearance

The new Honda Civic leaves a good taste in your mouth after you try it on roads of all kinds. Your behavior is agile and precise; could ensure that, in your price range and segment, is the most. The version of 129 horses tested has a linear behavior, because although its exterior tells us that we are in a sports, their reactions, at least in terms of engine, they are rather soft.

Civic is the compact which is more suitable for those looking for a sporty driving, either for its good grip in curves, as by their slight rocking of the chassis. Their reactions on changes of address are agile and the touch of his direction is precise, indicating at all times where we are circulating. The cars front-wheel-drive tend to understeer, but in the case of the Honda this behavior is not too charged and follows the line chart.

also Has suspension adaptive which it is possible to activate it using a button on the center console. It has two levels of hardness, and although it does not differ much between the two, if we find that with the way hard we notice more of the imperfections of the asphalt, without getting anything out of the ordinary.

By fast roads, the Civic also behaves in the correct way. the suspension filters very well the irregularities and is a comfortable car for circular for this kind of tracks. On the other hand, at legal speeds -120 km/h – demonstrate poise, which always has a direct impact on the well-being of the driver. Without a doubt, Honda has done a great job with the new Civic, giving it not only a good dynamic behaviour in fast curves, but also on dual carriageways, that you will probably spend more time.

Conclusion

Honda has greatly improved the previous generation with this tenth Civic. Now wears an exterior design more sporty and attractive, and its interior boasts a wide habitability, at least in the places front. It is also equipped with the best boot of the segment C.

on the other hand, the japanese have added a dynamic behavior perfect, making the Civic grip consistently in fast bends and is flexible, in addition, in urban environments. It is certainly a car to be taken into account within the compact, whether for its good fuel consumption, its linear behavior, more than recommended for day-to-day, and its habitability.

Equipment for the Honda Civic

Comfort

• an electric power Steering EPS
• automatic high beam Lights
• ECON Mode
• Brake power
• Sensor lights
• Mirrors heated exterior power-adjustable,
• Headlamps with timer
• active Safety Honda SENSING
• Warning of involuntary change of lane
• lane keeping System (LKAS)
• speed Limiter intelligent (ISL)
• adaptive cruise Control intelligent (i-ACC)
• System of recognition of traffic signs
• help System to stay on the road (RDM)
• System of prevention and mitigation of impacts
• – folding rear seats 60/40

Elegance

• Honda CONNECT with GARMIN Navigation
• automatic Climate control dual
• rear view Camera function and parking guide lines
• Windscreen front with rain sensor

Executive

• Suspension adaptive
• opening System and boot smart (Smart Entry)
• sun Roof glass, practicable,
• tinted Glass

Sport

• Same finish that Executive motors 1.5 182CV
• Double exhaust central

Sport Plus

• opening System and boot smart (Smart Entry)
• wireless Charger
• Double exhaust central
• aerodynamic Kit sport
• sports Pedals
• Upholstery fabric
• steering Wheel and pomo of the change in skin
• exterior Mirrors in body color

Prestige

• leather Upholstery
• sports Pedals
• exterior Mirrors in body color
• steering Wheel and pomo of the change in skin

Prices of Honda Civic

the Opinion of the editor

Cons

• Seats rear
• System infotainment
• rear Visibility

Gallery of images of the Honda Civic

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