Honda Civic 1.8i-VTEC SE

Jul 12 2009 Ian Johnson

AT ONE time Honda acquired the reputation as a manufacturer of cars for the blue rinse set - the affluent retired who wanted sensible wheels with a touch of class.

But Honda was faced with a challenge to open up its appeal to younger drivers and still keep its pull with the young at heart.

And so the current Civic was born. This name been around since the 1970s but the latest version features a whole new look with an air of retro sci-fi.

Triangular exhaust pipes an interior that features a fixed steering wheel boss and instruments that go off the clock on wow factor, the Civic is like nothing else on the road.

There were some raised eyebrows when the current shape was unveiled three years ago, but it took off and was so popular with Honda fans that a recent update featured only a minor tweak.

But the one thing that always remains a constant factor with Honda is quality. It was once known as the Japanese BMW but these days the Civic is a vehicle that takes pride in being manufactured at Swindon.

One of the most popular Civics is the five-door and my drive in a 1.8 i-VTEC SE automatic proved without doubt this car's comfort, flexibility plus its appeal to all ages.

This is a car that makes the most of linking the established 1.8 i-VTEC engine with a bespoke conventional automatic transmission.

This provides a very smooth and powerful drive and in many ways brings out the best in the advanced i-VTEC engines. Even when pushed changes are smooth, optimising the engine's power curve at all times.

This is a car for those who do not want an electronic automatic, such as Honda's i-Shift which is not available on the 1.8 i-VTEC. This is a much more traditional pairing and is so much the better for it.

In fact, for the first time on the Civic, a conventional five-speed automatic gearbox was developed exclusively for the five-door 1.8-litre to suit the driving styles and preferences sought by many customers.

This option can achieve a combined economy figure of 39.8mpg and CO2 emissions of 165g/km. ES grades upwards achieve 38.7mpg and 169g/km.

Uprated plastics and new trim materials have been used inside the revised Civic. A brushed metal effect trim and matt finish, as seen in the powerful Civic Type R, have been applied to the instrument console. These look sporty and are easier to clean and maintain than the Piano Black trim on earlier models. New seat fabrics have also been introduced.

Loadspace is still one of the best in class, with 485-litres opening up to 1326-litres when the seats are flat. In addition, the main cargo floor can be dropped down to create a recess, ideal for taller items or shopping bags.

It is remarkable that in a marketplace that is moving so fast that Honda has hit on a style that nobody wants to change. Always a manufacturer to listen to its customers who once were totally besotted by that old three-box Civic style it has kept its ear to the ground and undertaken fine tuning to offer customers the choices they really want.

FAST FACTS

Honda Civic 1.8i-VTEC SE auto

Price: £17,285

Mechanical: 140ps, 1,799cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5-speed automatic gearbox.

Max speed: 122mph

0-62mph: 11 seconds

Combined mpg: 39.8

Insurance group: 9

CO2 emissions: 165g/km

BIK rating: 18%

Warranty: 3yrs/ 90,000 miles