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Saturday, August 29, 2009

Honda Civic Review by CarSingh.com


The day finally arrived for me to test drive the Honda Civic 1.8v MT. When I had a glance of the car the first things that strikes on mind was advanced technology, plush interiors, stylish look and an exhilarating drive - this is what Honda Civic offers you. The automobile is loaded with advanced safety features and offers value for money, with its superior performance and fuel economy. The Civic places itself in the entry-level D Segment and competes with Toyota Corolla and the Skoda Octavia.
I was all set to test drive a Black Pearl Civic 1.8 V MT .

Engine:
With its peppy engine and buttery smooth transmission, the Honda Civic comes with a high-tech and revolutionary 1.8L inline-4 engine that cranks out 130 bhp at 6,300 rpm Justify Fulland a peak torque of 172 Nm is achieved at 4,300 rpm. The incorporation of variable timing control for the single overhead cam enhances engine performance at high speed. The all-aluminum engine is ultra smooth and almost silent at low revs. Equipped with the 5-speed manual or an optional automatic (1.8V variant only), the Civic is quick. The 1.8L SOHC i-VTEC technology of the engine is coupled with Drive-by-wire Throttle System that ensures high efficiency.

Build and Styling:
According to me, the grandeur of Honda Civic is purely reflected in its looks. The kick-up eye shaped headlamps leave a sharp impression. The car's front grille, with the symbol of Honda imposed on it, looks classy. Adding to the impressive frontage are clear lens fog lamps, body colored mirror, front and rear bumpers, and door handles. Honda Civic ensures that a family of five members enjoys a comfortable ride in the sedan. All this makes the Civic look a lot more sporty and lively compared to the Skoda Laura in my opinion.
Interiors:
When I saw the interiors of the car I was very impressed. The cockpit style dash is really impressive and practical. The glove box has a handle on the right that makes it convenient for the driver. Dual Airbags, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, Automatic Climate Control, 6-CD integrated Audio with 6 speakers, leather seats, an out-of-the-world dashboard among other minor things like electrically retractable ORVMs, integrated turn-indicators make the civic a dream car. There is absolutely no complaint about the head space, leg space in front and rear. The Digital speedometer of the car is eye catching.

Ride and Handling:
I was very satisfied with the ride; it was a very smooth and comfortable drive both on the highway and in the city as well. The organ-type accelerator pedal of Honda Civic minimizes effort and gives a good feel while operating it. A stable ride at high speeds is offered by double-wishbone suspension in the rear and McPherson strut suspension at the front. The Height adjustable driver's seat and three-spoke steering wheel gave me an overwhelming comfort while driving the Honda Civic.

Safety:
With the Anti Brake locking System (ABS) of Honda Civic we can avoid skidding and preventing locking of wheels, when brakes are applied on slippery roads This feature made me acquire full control over the car. In addition to this, the Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) distributes braking force between the front and rear wheels. Adding to the safety of the driver and co-driver are the dual front SRS air bags, which automatically deploy in the event of sudden collisions. But when we compare the safety of Civic to the safety in Laura, the later definitely has a upper edge. The Laura features six airbags against two offered in the Civic which makes the Skoda boast a better safety quotient.
Fuel Economy:
With the new i-VTEC engine the fuel efficiency is improved and I found that the Civic gives mileage of 9.2 kmpl in the city and around 13 kmpl on the highway.
Variants, Price And Color:
The Honda Civic comes in these colors- Misty Violet, Carbon Bronze Pearl, Alabaster Silver, Bluish Silver, Habanero Red, Taffeta White and Black Pearl.

Honda Civic is available in 3 variants

Honda Civic 1.8S MT –Rs.14,24,670 (On Road - Bangalore)
Honda Civic 1.8V AT –Rs.16,06,601 (On Road - Bangalore)
Honda Civic 1.8V MT- Rs.15,19,853 (On Road - Bangalore)


Honda Civic has futuristic sporty styling, roomy interiors and is a high performance power train but then while test driving I felt that needs frequent downshifts at low speed and also has less ground clearance and the car feels Delicate compared to the Skoda Laura
My verdict on this car:
It is a head turner for sure. What looks like a demure cat easily turns into a beast if you wish it to. The car will get you noticed as you arrive in style!
(Thanks to Vinay for his contribution)

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