Car Test
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R0346 | |
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See also
R0148
July 2003 |
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| Brief Test | Honda Civic | |
| Printer Friendly Page | Featured model: 2.0 Type S | |
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Worthy though it is, the standard five-door Civic’s demeanour is hardly likely to raise one’s pulse – this is the prerogative of the racey Type R coupè. It has the looks and the machinery under-bonnet to do the business.
However, rather like Goldilock’s porridge, both may fail to measure up for some, who want their motoring neither too cold nor too hot. This is where the Type S comes into its own. Take a standard Civic 5-door, give the interior a top-trim treatment, then install a standard two litre engine from Honda’s larger model range, give it 160bhp and bingo! You have a bit of a wolf in sheep’s clothing. We really do admire Honda’s courageous good sense in evolving this model. It eschews conventional lines of demarcation, in matters of image, attempting instead that compromise between hot-hatch and boring practicality with refinement that isn’t easy to sell in a polarised market. (The VW Golf GTi is currently criticised for the same reason.) This Civic S has the obligatory alloy wheels, for instance, but they’re fitted with 65-Series radials, to ensure no further deterioration in the model’s iffy bump-absorption abilities. It’s also quite high-geared, which results in a very relaxed motorway cruising gait and significantly better mpg than most 2.0 litre alternatives. True, the in-gear response suffers to some extent, but Honda petrol engines are designed to be revved, to liberate the power that lurks in the upper-band of the tachometer; indeed, this engine lights up at the point where most diesels are shutting down. If you don’t use the gearbox, the engine plods along obligingly enough (30mph in top is allowed), but you mustn’t expect much in the way of overtaking (or even hill-climbing) ability. Fair enough, but unfortunately the gearchange feels rather ponderous and can sometimes baulk when changing from top to third – just when you need to enliven the proceedings, if overtaking. As we said, this S rides as well as the lower-powered versions – but that’s not saying much; it can feel quite joggly on poorer surfaces. Likewise, the electric steering still lacks the fluent, tactile feedback of a Ford Focus or an Alfa 147; grip is ample through the bends and our car’s brake tests revealed an excellent emergency best stop, maintained by the ABS, however hard we stamped on the pedal; fade is no real problem, either. The Civic's turning circles aren't very good, but at least they’re better on right lock - the more useful one on UK or Japanese roads. Inside, one cannot but admire the sheer space and comfort of the five-door, with a flat rear floor and big-car legroom. The adoption of a ‘space-saver’ spare wheel has resulted in improved load-deck height, as well, with consequent benefit to luggage volume – though it means a more conspicuous load sill to heave cases over. |
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