Honda Civic Sport automatic 2012 review

The all-new Honda Civic is larger than ever, to the extent that it can be used as a family car by those downsizing from a traditional six-cylinder Ford, Holden or Toyota.

Design

Civic is all about style these days and the new model has that ‘sculpted from a single billet’ look that’s a strong evolution of the now superseded car. A strong seller in Australia, indeed worldwide, for many years, the Civic is sold in a big variety of models here and there are even more in the offing.

Now in its ninth generation, the Civic is being sold in three versions Civic VTi-L and Civic Sport and, the most interesting one, the Civic Hybrid. Interior space in the Civic hatchback is fine for four adults, with space in the centre-rear for another without too much discomfort. Despite the slim and sleek appearance headroom is fine.

Explore the 2012 Honda Civic range

• Honda Civic Sport 2012 review
• Honda Civic Sport automatic 2012 review
• Honda Civic manual hatch 2012 review
• Honda Civic hatch 2012 review: road test
• Honda Civic VTi-L sedan 2012 review
• Honda Civic 2012 review
• Honda Civic hatch 2012 review
• Honda Civic VTi-L hatch 2012 review
• Honda Civic VTi-L 2012 review

We liked the complex double-decker styling of the dash and instrument area, with the digital speedo sitting high to make it easy to keep track of. Good quality plastics are used on the trim, but we were a little disappointed in the somewhat mundane grey-on-grey colour scheme. Boot space is good and the luggage is reasonably easy to load through an opening that’s wide and practical.

Technology

There’s a big emphasis on in-car entertainment and communication in the latest Civic. A screen in the right-centre of the dash displays the functions of the phone, iPod and audio systems. These are controlled by buttons on the steering wheel to minimise driver distraction. Two conventional petrol engines are being offered, something that’s not common in this class, where ‘sports’ generally means some extra badges and larger wheels.

The Civic VTi-L is powered by a 1.8-litre, 104 kW engine, the Sport’s powerplant has a capacity of 2.0 litres and produces up to 114 kW of power and 190 Nm of torque. Honda Civic VTi-L has a choice between a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Oddly, the Sport only comes with the automatic.

Arguably the most caring of all car companies about the environment, Honda is continuing its work on petrol-electric hybrids. Major changes have been made to the electric motor and it is now powered by a lithium-ion battery in place of the nickel-metal-hydride of the previous model. This gives it more grunt off the line and, while not turning it into a sports machine in its acceleration, it has plenty of performance for day-to-day driving.

Driving

Our test review of the new-gen Civics was done chiefly on the Sport, though we did spend a little time in the Hybrid as well. We will get back to the latter in weeks to come. Only the four-door Civic sedan is coming to Australia at this stage, it’s imported from the recently reopened Honda factory in Thailand. As before, the five-door Honda Civic hatch will be built in Honda’s plant in the United Kingdom.

We have been invited to tour that factory in a couple of week’s time, followed by a substantial test drive of the cars. Thus we will be able to report on them two to three months before they arrive downunder. Ride comfort is good as Honda has increased suspension travel and worked on recalibrating bushing compliance so they are more suited to rough and ready Australian country roads.

The 2.0-litre engine in the Civic Sport is very Honda in the way it loves to rev. While there’s reasonable torque in the low and midrange, it’s when you get the engine towards the top end of the tacho that it really starts to sing. Keen drivers will love it and learn to make the automatic transmission work in the areas they like best.

Fuel consumption during our test period was in the eight to ten litres per hundred kilometres range around town, falling to sevens in the country. Handling in the Civic Sport is quite sharp and it turns in neatly and positively, with good feedback through the steering wheel.