Safety a Major Item in 2009 Upgrade
Incorporation of Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) across the range and the addition of extra airbags on specific models are the highlights of Honda’s 2009 Model Year upgrades for the Civic sedan.
Here at Car Showroom in recent months we have tested both the racy Honda Civic Type R and luxury Civic Si – both hatchbacks sourced from Honda’s plant in England.
However until Honda tossed us the keys for a 2009 Civic sedan, it had been some time since we’d driven the booted version of the company’s eighth-generation small car. Times change, but the Civic sedan remains one of the best – an edgy design externally and internally, bristling with technology and a delight to drive.
What You Get
Civic sedans are available in four model grades (VTi, VTi-L, Sport and Hybrid). Sport models can only be had with Honda’s 2.0-litre engine, Hybrids (naturally) only come with the 1.3-litre hybrid motor while VTi and VTi-L derivatives are powered by a 1.8-litre engine.
All share a body design that even today is very contemporary – a cab-forward look that is longer, lower and clearly more aerodynamic that any previous Civic.
Externally VTi-L models can be distinguished by 15-inch alloy wheels while Sport models ride on 16-inch alloys with low profile 205/55 R16V tyres.
Sport models also gain leather seats, steering wheel paddle shifts for the five-speed automatic transmission and front fog lights amongst their extra features.
Under The Hood
Honda’s world-acclaimed engineering is highlighted by its engines (in both motorcycles and cars) and this is obvious with the Civic.
The 1.8-litre powerplant in VTi and VTi-L models manages to provide 16 valves (four per cylinder) in a single overhead camshaft design. This high-tech engine is certified as a Low Emissions Vehicle (LEV) and meets the Euro 4 emissions standards.
Maximum power is 103kW at 6300 rpm and peak torque of 174Nm is delivered around 4200 rpm. Honda says the combined cycle fuel economy is as low as 6.9l/100kms (manual version).
Nissan’s Tiida sedan manages only 93kW/174Nm from it’s 1.8-litre engine
Civic’s sporty DOHC 2.0-litre engine delivers 114kW/188Nm.
To compare other competitive 2.0-litre sedans: Subaru’s Impreza offers 110kW/196Nm, Mitsubishi’s Lancer is good for 113kW/198Nm, the Mazda3 delivers 108kW/182Nm and Ford’s Focus is quoted at 107kW/185Nm.
The Interior
Honda calls it a ‘MultiPlex Meter’ instrument panel with a ‘Sport Utility’ center console, others have said the Civic’s dashboard tests the limits of modern style.
We’ll say its is certainly futuristic, but we actually like it a lot and we can see where the Honda designers were coming from. In a nutshell the split level dashboard puts major items like the digital speedometer, engine temperature and fuel gauge on the top level where they’re easily seen by the driver while secondary gauges are located on the lower level.
Everything else just falls into place.
We liked the sculptured front seats (drivers’ seat height adjustable) which are supportive without being restrictive and the thick sports-style steering wheel with cruise control operation on the right side is well done.
Sound systems feature Speed Sensitive Volume Control (SVC) that automatically adjusts the volume based on vehicle speed and offer a single CD system with MP3 compatibility. VTi-L, Sport and Hybrid models gain a six in-dash CD stacker.
Another clever design element for the Civic sedan is the flat floor layout which sees a 376-litre capacity for the boot. Then with the handy lever mounted in the boot, the rear seats have a one-motion, dive-down operation that – combined with the location of the fuel tank under the floor – provides an additional 485-litre cargo space.
Exterior & Styling
The modern, cab-forward exterior looks aerodynamic and it is – Honda says the coefficient of drag (Cd) is down to 0.31 or 0.27 for the Hybrid which sits lower.
At the front the large Honda ‘H’ logo is smoothly incorporated into the grille and the modern clear lens halogen lights wrap around the sculptured front fenders. The large round taillights have an innovative solid red for brake lights with a clear outer lens for turn signals. Hybrid and sport models have repeater lights for the turn indicators in the exterior mirrors.
Photos don’t really do justice to the Civic sedan – it’s difficult to portray the deep sculptured lines that highlight the front and side profiles in what is (especially for Honda) an edgy, thoroughly contemporary look.
On The Road
Around town the Civic sedan is difficult to fault – refinement is high, NVH is low, the engine and transmission match is good for lively acceleration and suspension control is fine.
Same on our high-speed test run where, for the most part, the Civic sedan delivered sharp, precise turn-in, minimal body roll, good balance and nice responsiveness even when the going got a little damp and slippery.
Challenges
Only two areas we could fault the Civic sedan.
Firstly some found its rear three-quarter vision a little restrictive when reverse parking in tight city streets (a legacy of the Civic’s high waistline and steeply sloping, thick C-pillar).
Secondly the front suspension got a tad noisy and harsh when crossing Melbourne’s notorious tram and train crossings. Grip levels remained high but the NVH intrusion rose somewhat.
Verdict
We think the Civic sedan is Honda doing what it does best – superb engineering, high quality standards and great engines. We reckon the somewhat controversial interior and exterior styling has stood the test of time and it still presents in a clever, contemporary way.
The Competition
The Civic sedan faces a strong field – Holden’s new Cruze just for starters. Then there’s the Mazda3, Ford Focus, Subaru Impreza, Nissan Tiida and Mitsubishi Lancer.
From outside the region, you could also consider the Skoda Octavia and Renault Megane sedan to name just two.
Likes
Nice engines; high quality; clever design
Dislikes
Suspension noise over bumps
