Our Fleet Test Drive: Honda Civic - 10th Report
Date:
21 November 2012
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Author: Hugh Hunston
Driving around minus a spare wheel - not even a 'skinny' with limited range and speed capabilities - is becoming the norm prescribed to us by carmakers that are keen on saving space and weight, chipping away at CO2 and mpg figures.
With the mousse repair kit tucked away in the rear haunches of our Civic, Honda's designers have harnessed the trend to liberate boot space below the hatchback floor with a deep and useful stowage compartment where a spare wheel once nestled. It's a discreet place to keep odds and ends away from prying eyes when the load cover is not in place as our car lacks darkened privacy glass.
Without the definitive views of fleet drivers, for whom tyres that are beyond being repaired by the mousse means missed appointments and bad business news, there must be latent anxiety about being stranded without a fifth wheel to hand.
Tyre producers and car manufacturers will recite statistics showing how rarely tyres puncture (whisper that word) these days and how even fewer are rendered beyond the aid of applying gooey sealants by the roadside. However, if you insist on having a space-saver, Honda charges £111.61 for the privilege; full-size counterparts are not available.
Honda Civic 2.2 i-DTEC ES 5-door | Mileage | 3170 | Claimed combined consumption | 67.3mpg | Our average consumption | 58.2mpg | Forecast CPM | 46.6p | Actual CPM | 46.8p | | 60-plus mpg reached as engine loosens up | – | Space-saver spare costs extra |
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