12:00pm Saturday 13th February 2010
THE small family hatch has probably seen more research and development than any other car on British roads, not only because it is one of the best sellers but because more and more motorists want bigcar qualities housed in a compact shape.
And the hatch is especially popular during the present financial climate as many motorists are choosing to downsize to cut costs.
Offering the latest hi-tech features, big-car refinement and driving flair can be a tall order for manufacturers but increasingly in this sector they are delivering the goods.
Among the best on sale is the Honda Civic, a Swindon-built model that seems to boast just about every item a hatchback owner might want.
The Civic’s ultra-stylish design is now a familiar sight but it has come in for some subtle interior and exterior enhancements to keep it fresh, flexible and above all, practical.
You would think its slippery shape might be bad news for roominess.
Not so. There is a spacious and airy cabin and plenty of leg and shoulder room for all the family.
There is seating for three in the rear with the 60/40 splitting seats folding to give extra cargo space when needed.
The only snag is that lanky rear passengers might find headroom a little restrictive.
However, there are full marks for the boot space, which at 485 litres easily beats leading rivals and is also a useful square shape with a lowloading sill.
The Civic houses some well-engineered petrol motors and an excellent 2.2-litre diesel along with a wide specification choice so that costs compare very well with rivals.
Prices go from £14,950 for the 1.4- litre petrol hatch to £21,780 for the highly specified 2.2-litre diesel GT.
Slip into the driver’s seat and underway you’ll soon appreciate the Civic’s composure and excellent road manners, largely due to its splendid chassis and sophisticated suspension system. The ride is quiet, too.
At low speeds the Civic manages to soak up all manner of road imperfections very well and its control is impressive at speed where it gives the driver much confidence to press on along twisty routes.
The Honda motors are very flexible and the 1.8-litre i-VTEC petrol, in particular, makes the car feel athletic.
The steering is also better than on earlier models. It is well weighted yet at all speed remains light and positive enough to let the driver knows exactly what the front wheels are up to.
The 138bhp 1.8-litre Si with its sixspeed manual gearbox is fun to drive and its sporty styling, including large alloys and a rear spoiler, make it a sexy looker. It will appeal to a younger customer base, especially with the sportier features making it looks even more like the racy Type R. But it is a sensible ownership proposition.
Inside, there is a space-age look to the cabin but it is practical with the dash dials and other controls easy on the eye and easy to operate. The half-leather seats of the Si model are comfortable and supportive.
Safety is also paramount with Honda and the Civic has an overall five-star Euro NCAP rating. There are airbags galore, anti-lock brakes and electronic safety features which include brakeforce distribution.
What takes your eye is the rather different looking steering wheel with its large central boss and threespoke layout which houses music and other controls. Importantly, it enhances driving feel.
Economy is also to the fore with the Civic which has a dial on the dash to show how economically you are driving and a shift indicator light on manual models to show the best point to change gear for maximum economy.
AT-A-GLANCE
Honda Civic 1.8-litre i-VTEC Si five-door six-speed manual.
Price: £17,558 (on the road).
Top speed: 129mph.
0-60mph: 8.6 seconds.
Fuel: 44.1mpg (combined figure).
C02 emissions (g/km): 155.
Verdict: Sporty, smooth and fast operator, cutting-edge design, practical, well built, roomy and great to drive.
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