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Our Fleet Test Drive: Honda Civic - farewell report

Date: 19 November 2014   |   Author: Guy Bird

As our small family Honda estate goes back, we remain impressed in parts but less so in others

This long-termer's stint at BusinessCar was unusual for passing through more than one main steward in its six or so months with us. On the downside, no one member of staff could truly say they got to know it intimately, but on the upside, two of us certainly had three months each to get pretty familiar and compare opinions.

On its arrival, production editor Tony Rock immediately liked the swooping interior dashboard, the EX Plus's high spec, including DAB radio and satnav and the massive (and rival-trouncing) 1668-litre maximum boot space.

But he was less enamoured of a fuel counter he thought misrepresentative (creating needlessly fretful consequences worrying about how much fuel was really left in the tank), problematic auto dimming lights (that didn't seem to like twisty country roads) and a fuel cap opener catch (whose 'catch' was that it was devilishly hard to locate).

Switching to a new handler halfway through its tour of duty, I appreciated the form of the Tourer's unusual window silhouette], loved the function of the enormous boot and its access via the huge hatch, and became mightily impressed by the small 120hp 1.6-litre diesel's pulling power and fuel economy - which only twice dipped below 50mpg - and averaged out over the six months at 52.0mpg, or 72% of its official combined 72.4mpg.

However, I had my issues with the car too, like a centre touchscreen layout with small button overload, making them hard to locate and press on the move [3] a tonneau cover that failed to hook into place on one side and then pinged undone, and a largely uninvolving driving experience, despite a button on the dash to change suspension settings. After a few attempts at trying to match road to damper, I pretty much left it in 'normal'.

But perhaps most of all, our Civic Tourer, despite its plush EX Plus specification and partly because of its, to some at least, lacklustre maroon metallic finish, lacked an emotional connection for us. I never felt the urge to turn back and admire its form after locking and leaving it, or smiled at its handling upon finding that special road - like you do with some cars.

Its real-world economy, boot functionality, space and general comfort are all highly commendable, but, while it's good in parts, it presents a series of small irritations that make it a touch harder to wholeheartedly recommend.

Mileage 5026
Official combined consumption 72.4mpg
Our average consumption 52.0mpg
P11D price £27,405
Model price range £16,940-£29,905
CO2 (tax) 103g/km (16%)
BIK 20/40% per month £73/£146
Service interval variable
Warranty 3yrs/90,000mls
Boot space (min/max) 343/1310 litres
Engine size/power 1597cc/120hp
Top speed/0-62mph 121mph/10.5sec

Verdict


  • Boot flexibility and space
  • Economy
  • Too many small irritations, expensiv

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