The Honda Civic turned a lot of heads when it was launched last year,but remains one of the motoring world’s best-kept secrets.With the Type S, the cat might finally be out of the bag
I have to admit that I was disappointed last year, when the rather excellent Honda New Civic missed out on a Car of the Year gong, being pipped at the post by the Focus, mainly on the strength of the Ford’s superior handling, (and deservedly so, too). It seems unfair that the only manufacturer that had the guts to produce a 21st century car that didn’t have a 20th century dashboard shouldn’t be recognised for its design courage. Yet the Ford Focus of 2006 was the best family hatch you could get. Handling was superb, and the best in its sector. And the entry level for a 2.0 litreengined hatchback example? Well it comes in at £16,490. And that other family sporting hatch/coupé, the Golf? Well, it’s may be a little more exciting on the outside than the Ford, but the Golf 2.0-litre TDI 140 three-door is more expensive coming in at £17,320. And that puts it into the sights of Civic Type S territory at £17,750, and that could be very bad news for our German friends…
You see, most people would think that they’re getting a good deal of Golf for £17,320, but once you start stacking things up against the Type S trim level, you start to wonder… (See the Fully Equipped box on page 26 to see the standard features on the Honda Type S).
You’ve probably all seen the Civic by now. It looks pretty much like what the Focus would have looked like if Ford’s designers hadn’t wimped out. It’s a nice rounded shape. And it’s squat, too, retaining some of the Tardis-like properties of the Focus, so that when you’re inside, you’re not sure whether to sit down or play volleyball. It beats all of its nearest competitors in the sports hatch market. Against the similarly priced Golf GT TDI 3-door the type S has a bigger engine, more room in the back for your passenger’s legs, and quite frankly, a dashboard that makes the Golf look as though it was designed by a mortician. Add to that the fact that the Golf is almost one and half seconds slower in a sprint, and you begin to wonder how anyone would expect you to pay about the same for the Golf and get far less in return… I wouldn’t – I’d buy the Honda! We all are big fans of the Honda’s 2.2 i-CTDI engine – it’s still one of the cleanest, most efficient, and smoothest on the market. But a fantastic engine doesn’t always make a fantastic car. You have to be able to use the damn thing, and good though the New Civic is, it was never the greatest drive experience. Until now. Power and torque on the engine remain the same, which I believe is a completely wasted opportunity. More power in the future? Well Honda is staying orientally tight-lipped about it at present, but if they don’t, everyone else will cash in! But with the same engine giving the same power, has the car really improved enough to beat the Golf, (and its poor cousin the 2.0 SEAT Leon)? Well it has, and all the difference is at the wheels. The Civic Type S is a much bigger car inside, and yet seems to be smaller and tighter on the outside. Suspension is tougher too, and this, along with the car’s sleek looks and well-apportioned interior, makes you feel more confident to push it though bends. It’s shorter and lower than the Golf, and its raised driving seat gives the average driver a good view of the road ahead, although it’s not the car to buy if you’re short or tall. And when I first got aboard, I had to move the steering wheel so that I could see all of the instruments through the wheel.
Anything bad about it? Well of course, the raised seat gives less headroom for tall drivers, and the view out of the back may annoy some of our less competent car parkers. But then, don’t all new cars come with reversing sensors now? Given that Honda’s parking sensors cost nearly 400 sovs as an extra on this car, you can see that criticism of the restricted view is well deserved. Why so expensive? Well, even Honda k Cons k Pros couldn’t justify the price to me. (And never will!) I would rather dent the rear than be held to ransom for Honda’s rear view shortcomings… Also, there are less sophisticated engines out there that are ten per cent smaller and yet are pushing out 30 per cent more power. No news from Honda about engine tweaks yet, but they must soon, surely? It would be Superchips for me to get it up to the 170bph plus!
The new Honda Civic is so far divorced from its 2005 predecessor as to be from a different gene pool. But it’s still one of the best-kept secrets, even although its sporty looks are not matched by the car’s handling in its standard guise. But here’s the Type S. At £17,500, and with its much improved handling, it’s almost a gift. If I was looking to get a sporty saloon, it’d be at the top of my shopping list. Can you keep a secret? Don’t do what I’m doing and tell everyone. Just keep schtum, go out, and quietly take a test drive. You’ll be taking your first step into 21st century motoring…
On sale: from April // Price from: £17,550 //
Main rivals: Alfa Romeo 147 1.9 Lusso / BMW 118d / Citroën C4 2.0 VTR Coupé
Drive Time
- Price: £18,950 (inc Sat Nav and hands-free Bluetooth, £1,400)
- Engine: 2,204cc 4-cyl DOHC common rail turbodiesel
- Max Power: 140bhp at 4,000rpm
- Max Torque: 251lb ft at 2,000rpm
- Max Towing weight: 1,500kg (braked)
- Kerb weight: 1,409kg
- Combined Consumption: 54.3mpg (41.2 on a fast test!)CO2 Emissions (taxband): 138g/km (C)
- 0-62mph: 8.6secs
- Max speed: 127mph
Fully Equipped
Sat Nav and Bluetooth
6-speed gearbox
Panoramic glass sunroof
Drilled aluminium pedals and footrest
Type S 17-inch alloys
Front fogs
Twin chrome exhaust
60/40 rear split
Underboot storage
ABS, EBD
VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist)
DBW (Drive by wire)
Front, side and curtain airbags, front and rear
Front seatbelt pretensioners
CAT 1 interior and perimeter alarm
Keyless entry and immobiliser
Automatic lights with dusk sensor
Cruise control
Remote control, tilt and telescopic, steering wheel
Digital odometer, fuel consumption
Powered, heated and folding mirrors
Rain-sensing wipers
Refrigerated glove box
EXTRAS (highlights only)
Sat Nav & Bluetooth (voice activated) £1,400
Rear Parking sensors £390
Bluetooth Kit £350
i-Pod adaptor £225
Blue ambient lighting footwell light £195
Dog guard £175
Trailer Hitch (permanent) £375
17″ alloys £650
18″ alloys wheels £850
Boot spoiler £250
Space saver spare £100
Pros
Great looks and a fine engine. Handling is now much improved; one of a few diesel cars that look to have been built in this century, and not the last one
Cons
Not upping the power from the engine is a stupid move, a sports version of the Civic should have more acceleration and power. A wasted opportunity
