Honda Civic e:HEV test: The hybrid revolution
In the fifty years since its release, the Civic has evolved tremendously, but its eleventh generation has changed what we know so far about the wildly popular Honda that sold millions of vehicles.
The new Civic has successfully redefined its market position, as the new generation of Civic is not limited to technology and design upgrades. Now it has a body length of 4.55 meters, which means that the iconic Honda has said goodbye to the segment in which it has been for many years: within a few millimeters, it now belongs to the D segment, which has traditionally been dominated by European high-end manufacturers. To adapt to the new environment, the Civic has made great strides in terms of build quality, safety and assistance features, and of course, driving feel.
It has a minimalist and very clean exterior with a modern character that maintains the immediately recognizable fastback silhouette of the model, without the futuristic excesses that we have seen in previous generations. The lights are now slimmer, equipped with a new headlight control system and increased brightness.
The rear has a more familiar design, with lights clustered together and some more dynamic features, such as a diffuser at the bottom of the bumper. Since it is a fastback car and not a sedan, the tailgate opens along with the rear window, so we can use the 415 liters of luggage space more easily.
New levels of comfort
Its interior has undergone a major upgrade and now has a premium feel. Its configuration is both modern and practical, the ergonomics of all functions are excellent, and every change is made to improve the passenger experience. In fact, this method involves the smallest details, such as the honeycomb metal pipes of the air conditioning system, which are designed to harmoniously diffuse the air in the cabin.
The new infotainment system is fast and clear, with plenty of connectivity options and easy to navigate, while the digital dashboard has nice graphics and displays a lot of information, although I wish there were more options for its display. Choosing a button instead of a joystick to shift gears in the automatic transmission retains the minimalist look of the center console.
Overall, the cabin is comfortable, and the orthopedic (as Honda calls it) seats are particularly comfortable and won't get tired no matter how long you sit. The longer wheelbase significantly increases the usable legroom for rear passengers. Large windows combined with an optional sunroof flood the interior with natural light, enhancing the feeling of spaciousness.
"Change of Heart"
But in addition to the larger body and luxurious cockpit, the biggest change in the new Civic is its "heart". I'm referring to the e:HEV hybrid system, which is currently the only option for the drive system. In the previous generation, buyers had to choose between two petrol versions and one diesel version. However, according to Honda, the new Civic has managed to combine the fuel economy of the entry-level version, the horsepower of the more powerful petrol version and the torque of the diesel engine in a particularly efficient system.
The choice of a hybrid drive system is a ...... The overall approach, but unfortunately, in doing so, Honda abandoned the "affordable" Civic that used to cost around 20,000 euros. Of course, this makes sense, as it now falls into a different category and offers an upgraded experience, especially compared to previous generations.
Of course, with such an improved driving feel, you have nothing to complain about. The sound insulation level is good, and the quiet operation of the e:HEV results in a quiet experience in the car. Like all previous Civics, the new generation Civic also manages to offer driving pleasure, with direct and precise steering and relatively tight suspension that minimizes body roll while maintaining excellent grip, especially with the Pilot Sport 4 tires offered by Honda to it. At the same time, it handles road defects very well, and the ride quality is good.
We have three different drivers and an add-on driver that can be customized according to your needs. When we select the "Sport" program, some artificial engine sounds are reproduced in the cabin from the speakers, which surprisingly adds a bit of ...... to driving Emotion. It's very agile when driving hard, but I wish it had a smaller turning radius for easier city navigation.
The hybrid system works in a rather peculiar way: the heat engine powers the electric motor, which in turn drives the front wheels. Electrification is always a priority, and you can travel long distances without emissions. In fact, it should be mentioned that the transition from electric to hybrid drive is very smooth and its braking feel is very good, unlike most hybrids on the market.
The complete upgrade of the Civic is happy news, and at the same time it has completely changed the character of the model, becoming quite serious compared to the past. It may sound like a bit more expensive, but it comes with an abundance of standard features, especially when compared to the competition it faces right now. Honda has chosen this direction for its most iconic models, and it's the right choice.
specification
motor
e: HEV full hybrid drive system
Displacement 1,993 cc
Maximum power: 184 hp at 6,000 rpm
Maximum torque: 315 Nm / 500 rpm
Front-wheel drive
Automatic transmission e-CVT
Maximum speed: 180 km / h
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 7.8"