January 2007
It might be a byword for 'safe' or 'modest' but Honda's Civic
is more than just another Japanese hatch - there's also the performance
variant. Recent years have seen the hottest of the Civic hatches
brought under the Type R brand umbrella. Despite past accusations of
being a little too raw, this latest model promises to better balance
serious performance with everyday refinement.
For all the times one of its cars has performed faultlessly, there are
as many critics prepared to castigate Honda for producing safe,
dependable and unexciting cars. Dependable it may be, but there's more
to this generation Civic than meets the eye, and it goes far beyond the
car's radical styling.
This Civic is proof that the company is
serious about attracting younger buyers in a bid to move away from the
'Tartan rug' set. The performance Type R variant of the past is a
perfect example of this direction, but critics have accused it of being
too harsh and unforgiving.
In a bid to broaden the Type R's appeal,
this Civic three-door - based on the already more sporting Type S
three-door - boasts more creature comforts and fractionally less harsh
suspension settings than before. The result is a car that is still
quick, but one that offers a clever balance of performance and comfort.
You'll be able to make long motorway journeys without feeling jaded and
bouncing around town thanks to unforgiving suspension is promised to be
a thing of the past.
However, when you do want to have fun,
the Type R doesn't disappoint. It's not the most powerful in its class,
but there's still much to be had from extending the car's high-revving
engine to the maximum. Grip levels are high and, unlike its
predecessor, this version boasts steering with a decent amount of
feedback.
Type R builds on the Civic's already sporty looks
Ratings
Overall Rating
Value for money
Costs
Space and Practicality
Controls and display
Comfort
Security
Safety
Likes
Three-door shape is good basis for the sporty Type R
Cabin boasts plenty of sporty design cues but never feels overbearing
Involving driving experience balanced by refinement and comfort
2.0-litre engine is a gem, and loves to be revved hard
Gripes
Rear view is restricted thanks to window design and lack of rear wiper
Main instruments could be a little too space age for some tastes
Driver's seat could be mounted a little lower for a better sporting feel
Gimmicky starter button is an unnecessary addition
Our Verdict
The car's exterior might be a big departure for
Honda, but in Type R guise the radical looks actually suit the car's
personality. It's not all about looks, though. Underneath the Civic's
space age body is an impressive engine plus suspension that delivers a
balance that few rivals have managed to perfect. Although a proper
screamer and tarmac hooligan one minute, the Type R can also 'do'
sensible. This Civic has matured into an impressive hot hatch, but
don't think that for one moment it's lost any of its magic.
Costs
Save for the base variant, which is
pitched at the serious enthusiast, the Type R is very well equipped. It
stands up well to the competition in value for money terms. With
reliability assured thanks to Honda's solid reputation, running costs
should be modest save for fuel and insurance - if the buyer is very
young.
Space and Practicality
While the three-door Civic might not accommodate a growing family as
well as the five-door variant, it shouldn't be dismissed as a failure.
Despite being pitched as a sporting hatch the Type R is also a
practical one. Oddment space is reasonable thanks to a generously
proportioned centre console, glove box and door bins. The boot, which
is both deep and wide, boasts a clever hidden compartment where you'd
normally find the spare wheel.
Controls and Display
If you're attracted to the car's exterior it's
likely that you're already a convert. If you're a fan of digital
instruments you'll warm to it all instantly and, for instance, it makes
a lot of sense for the speed display to be within the driver's eyeline.
However, the front seat passenger will have to stretch to reach the
major ventilation controls - a temperature control is in the door
armrest. Also annoying is the inclusion of a starter button - it's
really a gimmick. At least the manual gearshift is slick and the
handbrake requires little effort to operate.
Chunky rear is marred by a lack of screen wiper, making reverse parking a little tricky
Comfort
The Civic's spacious cabin ensures that head, leg and elbowroom is
never a problem. Rear seat passengers are treated in a similar manner,
with no major niggles to report. At city speeds the cabin does well to
insulate occupants from road and engine noise, an impressive feat
considering the fact that the Type R's engine is a vocal unit when
revved hard. And on another pleasing note, despite the car's serious
sporting character it boast's a surprisingly supple ride.
Security
More obviously a sporting car to even
the casual observer, the Type R will likely be a target. As such you're
not short of security features. An immobiliser, deadlocks, remote
central locking and a lockable glove box are standard across the range
- although curiously the latter only with the GT. Thankfully a Category
One alarm is standard across the range.
Safety
No expense has been spared with the
Civic's safety provision. Twin front and side airbags come standard,
along with anti lock brakes, electronic stability control and brake
assist. Isofix mounting points are also present, although curtain
airbags are only standard on the high-spec GT variant.
Driver Appeal
For some the standard Civic hasn't
provided the thrills they had expected. Not so the Type R, which thanks
to a fantastic 2.0-litre engine, sporty suspension settings, a slick
gearshift and powerful brakes is easily the measure of its rivals.
Famously able to rev to ridiculous heights, the engine is gutsy and
tuneful, while there's plenty of grip in the wet and dry from this
front-wheel drive hatch. For a fully electric system, the steering is
pleasingly direct and communicative. Most rivals have this Civic beat
in outright power terms, but on the track or road the Type R delivers a
better balance than many. To extract the best from the car you need to
work the engine, but this far from a hardship. And away from such
thrills the Civic is refined and composed both around town and on the
motorway.
Family Appeal
It might lack two rear doors, but the Type R
would make a reasonable choice for a growing family. Granted the car's
seating arrangement is fixed unlike with a people carrier, but access
to the rear isn't that bad and the boot is a good size. You will likely
grow out of it and need something bigger, but it will be a fun family
hatch while it's around.
Sporty theme is continued inside, with drilled pedals and sports seats
First Car Appeal
A regular Civic might be a good idea but the Type R is a different
proposition. Fast, thirsty and likely to be expensive for a novice to
insure, it wouldn't be a sensible choice.
Quality and image
A genuine step forward over its solid
predecessor, this Civic is yet another top notch product from Honda.
Fit and finish inside and out is exemplary and the choice of materials
used to trim the cabin well above the class average. This car's radical
exterior is a mechanism for Honda to chase a younger audience, and the
Type S three-door model proves an ideal building block for the Type R,
which already has a burgeoning fanbase all of its own.
Accessibility
Wide opening doors plus a slightly
elevated front seating position make access and egress straightforward.
However, anyone wider than the average will find the Type R's sports
seats snug to say the least. Access to the rear seats is also good,
although predictably it's easier to get in than out.
Stereo and ICE
Standard is a combined bespoke fit
radio and single CD unit, with remote audio controls conveniently on
the steering wheel. Sound quality is good, and there's the option of a
full-house DVD-based sat-nav unit complete with a Bluetooth handsfree
phone and voice recognition for the major commands. It all works well
but is a little pricey in comparison with separate aftermarket
offerings.
Colours and Trim
Choose light exterior colours if you don't
want to lose the Civic's interesting details. The cabin boasts an
Audi-like ambience, but with more character. There are generous doses
of high quality black plastic, but being the Type R the contrasting
upholstery colours are a welcome inclusion.
The heart of the Civic Type R - its 2.0-litre, rev-happy engine
Parking
There's no problem with forward visibility, thanks in part to a
slightly raised driving position and the car's responsive power
steering. Rearward vision is not so good thanks to the rear window's
lack of a wiper when driving in wet conditions. A racy spoiler placed
halfway up the screen doesn't help matters either. Thankfully the car's
side mirrors are a generous size.
Spare Wheel
Tyre foam kit and compressor included in lieu of a conventional (optional) space saver wheel.
Range information
Petrol engines: 1.8-litre (140bhp);
2.0-litre (200bhp). Diesel engine: 2.2 i-CDTi (140bhp). Standard issue
is a six-speed manual gearbox across the range. Trim levels for three
door Type S: base, GT. 2.0 Type R (three-door only): base, GT.
Alternatives
Ford Focus ST Focus no longer a radical design. ST goes well, sounds good and is a great all-rounder
Vauxhall Astra VXR Extrovert styling matched by powerful engine and brutish performance
Volkswagen Golf GTI Well built, solid all-rounder hot hatch. Quick and surprising entertaining
Renault Megane Renaultsport 225 Good value and entertaining hatch. Unusual styling has yet to go out of fashion
