Our Fleet Test Drive: Honda Civic - 8th Report
Date:
08 November 2012
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Author: Hugh Hunston
Profile
Approaching the 3000-mile mark our Civic continues to provide a rewarding blend of strong performance and impressive real-world fuel economy from the 150hp 2.2-litre diesel engine.
It's the only diesel in the range, but that will change come January when a 120hp 1.6-litre arrives brandishing 70-plus mpg and 94g/km CO2 credentials.
As a result, the well-matched engine-transmission combo in our ES spec model, averaging 58mpg, is likely to be sidelined, with corporate users instead plumping for the more efficient option. It's a pity because the current diesel standard-bearer is impressive, with its 110g/km CO2 rating squaring the virtuous circle between refinement, performance and long-range economy. It has been instrumental in pushing 'true' non-daily rental and Motability volumes up 26% this year, albeit from a low base.
Meanwhile moans about potentially painful lack of lumbar adjustment are being addressed from September for the 2013 model year with the requisite variable back support.
Honda Civic 2.2 i-DTEC ES 5-door | Mileage | 2970 | Claimed combined consumption | 67.3mpg | Our average consumption | 57.9mpg | Forecast CPM | 46.3p | Actual CPM | 46.6p | | Performance and mpg combine in one car | – | Can’t trace or eliminate door panel rattle |
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