“Honda Civic Rebirth Misses the Drive Pleasure Civic is Known for”- Expert Review
We have reviewed the latest and greatest cars of Pakistan. But something about classic cars always feels refreshing. Today, we are reviewing the 9th generation of one of the legendary cars of Pakistan, the Honda Civic. We all know the Honda Civic Rebirth, but let’s find out what our experts think about the car.
History
The 9th generation Honda Civic was first introduced in the international market in 2011 and ran up till 2015. The car made it to the Pakistani market in 2012 and remained on sale till 2016.
At first, this car did not get the recognition that Civic was used to getting. Civic Rebirth turned out to be the least popular of all Civic models, so much so that Honda Japan had to give the car an emergency facelift within a year of its official debut. Civic Rebirth facelift came out internationally in 2013 and in Pakistan around 2015.
Exterior
The 9th generation Civic Rebirth had a conventional exterior design. Compared to the broad stance of the 8th generation Civic Reborn, this one had an angular stance.
The first thing about the front profile is the projection headlamps that come with halogen bulbs, but you can replace them with LEDs. The front grille looks nice and sleek over a chrome grille. The sloping hoodline is similar to the old 8th generation Civic. Another distinctive feature of this car is the cross windshield wipers.
Coming to the side profile, you get the 15-inch silver alloy wheels and door-mounted side-view mirrors. The waistline and door handles look the same as the 8th gen model’s. Overall, the 9th gen Civic Rebirth is smaller than the 8th gen. At the time of its engineering, Honda focused more on the car’s efficiency and less on aesthetics.
At the back, the taillights have a conservative design. The rear lights are pretty decent-looking, just not as modern as they should be. The back glass has the same slope as the 8th gen model. The difference between the two models is that this one has a single exhaust pipe.
The good thing about Civic Rebirth is that it has more boot space than both its predecessor and successor. The car has 600+ litres of trunk space and a full-sized 15-inch spare wheel.
Interior
Once you enter the car’s cabin, the first thing you notice is the dashboard design, which is very driver-centric. Everything has been placed within the driver’s reach. This has resulted in an unbalanced and immature-looking design.
The material quality is inferior to the 8th gen model. The fabric seats are comfortable for all passengers compared to the leather seats in the upper trims of this model. The MID (Multi-Information Display) is more modern than the 8th and 10th gen Civic models. This one acts like a Heads-Up Display and shows all the necessary information in the driver’s view line.
Another plus of this car is the automatic climate control system, which is an upgrade from the old 8th gen model. The overall interior is simple and clean, without any frills.
Engine
The 9th generation Honda Civic carries the same R18 i-VTEC engine that produces 140 horsepower and 170 Nm of torque. This is a time-tested Honda engine known for its efficiency and reliability. The engine is mated with a 5-speed automatic transmission, aka Honda’s prosmatec transmission.
The 9th gen model has an ECON mode to improve the fuel economy of the 1.8L engine. Another new thing in the 9th gen Civic is the electronic power steering. The 8th gen model had hydraulic power steering. Civic Rebirth’s steering is easy to maneuver within the city.
Drive
Honda Civic Rebirth is a decent car to drive. The only thing is that it’s not as comfortable as you’d like it to be. Since Honda missed out on any kind of insulation in the car, there is way too much cabin noise. You can hear the engine revving and tyres screeching, not to mention the road noises.
Just as all Honda cars are known for their stiff suspension, same’s the case with this Civic. The car hits hard on the bumps and potholes. Handling-wise, it gets an optimal rating. At higher speeds, it does not feel as planted on the road. The driver starts to lose his grip if not careful.
One of the good things about this car is the placement is its A-pillar which makes it easy for the driver to see the road guidelines and stuff.
Honda Civic is a decades-old car known for its revolutionary DNA of a sporty and powerful drive. The 9th gen Civic Rebirth does share that DNA. The engine and transmission are there, but the car does not have the level of driving pleasure you’d expect from a Civic.
However, the car is reasonably comfortable for the passengers. It has all the features you need to enjoy a drive, comfortable seats, ample storage space, automatic climate control, sunroof, etc.
Final Words on Honda Civic Rebirth
From chassis to speed, engine, transmission, and styling, Honda has always been one of the pioneers of car engineering. But the company has missed the mark with this model. Having said that, the 9th gen Honda Civic Rebirth is a perfect family car for Pakistanis. The driver may not be as pleased with the drive, but the car has got everything you can ask for in a comfortable family car.
Considering where the current car prices are headed, used Honda Civic Rebirth is a great option within 3 million rupees.
