Civic 1.8 Oriel, Navigation: I received my Car on 5th August 2016 by the will and blessing of Allah SWT.
To start with I will admit I was concerned and worried about quality issues but to be honest they were exaggerated extensively. I do admit some areas need improvement but it's not as bad as portrayed. The worst part was the fabric quality both in terms of material and stitching. Second bad thing was the gap between A pillar and dashboard which to be honest can't be taken to Zero as some of it is present due to the design and how the rubber trimming has to run behind it, but it can be reduced. Regarding squeaks and noises etc, sorry but nothing to report there. Also someone said pathetic roof lining, sorry again but its perfectly fine in my case. The engine hood shield was flimsy and lose from one end but I got it replaced in warranty. Apart from that nothing further seems wrong.
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EXTERIOR:
As massively discussed its simply amazing, killer looks and a beautiful stance. Probably the most beautiful sedan of its category available. Nothing comes close.
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INTERIOR:
As soon as you get inside the vehicle, it immediately starts growing on you with a charm. Elegant and simple. The soft touch padded dashboard looks good and feels good. The silver accents on doors, and the lining that runs from one end to the other starting from one AC vent, leading to the other with a flow in design is a wonderful touch. The details in design give a very sophisticated feel. Simple yet classy and elegant. They could have made the centre console slightly better and accomodating. With 2 cup holders you can't put a DVD case. And also the console isn't exactly closed from the front so you can kind of have a peek on what's inside. The door panels do have bottle holders. The addition of a cell phone tray with cable access from socket is a great addition to keep it neat and convenient.
I WISH THERE WAS SOME POCKET ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF STEERING LIKE 8TH AND 9TH GEN HAD FOR PUTTING CHANGE IN. BEEN USING OLD CUP HOLDER ASHTRAY FOR THIS PURPOSE.
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NAVIGATION UNIT:
The Navigation Unit is wonderful on 1.8 this time. Very responsive and feels like a good android tab with DVD option mounted in the car. The camera quality is acceptable and clear enough to do the job. Atlas could give optional sensors as well as the unit probably compatibility for it.
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SEATING:
The driving position is absolutely wonderful. Sporty, makes you feel in command. I wish the seats were a bit soft though. As comparing it with the previous both gens they feel slightly hard. Maybe it gets better with time. Also as per my observations the seat has been slightly reduced in size. Not a problem for me as I am a slim guy but if you are bulkier you might notice it more than me. About the seating height, its very low and snuggy which is great for me but when my father or another elder rides with me occasionally, they find it slightly harder to get in and out of the car. The rear seat posture is simply great. The recline angle makes it wonderful to sit in. Leg space even with the seat back in my position (being 5-11) is pretty acceptable for the rear passenger. Much more than 9th Gen. If you are slightly more shorter the rear passenger will be in a great place.
The visibility is great this time, thanks to the reduced windscreen angle and A pillars there is no inconvenience at turns and no blind spots like in last 2 Gens.
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STEERING WHEEL:
Well it is slightly bigger than previous 2 gens most probably due to the new meter all in one place. The buttons on steering aren't that bad. Felt wierd initially after the buttery soft ones in 9th but now feel okay and prefectly gotten used to. Atlas you could at least give telephone buttons with the Navigation. The overall steering is, well the urethane feel could have been avoided. And isn't it slightly stupid that you have given the dotted area on top and bottom instead of sides? I drive with my hands on the side grip and that's how most owners drive. Single hand at the top is mostly less in number so the dotted part should have been as it was on 8th Gen. And I agree the leather wrapped would have been a good gesture from you.
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CONVENIENCE:
Thanks a lot for giving Smart entry and Push start, what an easy thing. Thanks for the Auto Brake Hold; this one is seriously addictive, Thanks for the Passenger side unlock button, Thanks for the rear AC vents; now many people have criticised the rear AC vents but please keep in mind its for supporting role and is better than nothing.
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DRIVE:
I had been cursing Honda for the last 3.5 years during my 9th Gen ownership. As a result I ended up keeping the 8th Gen too and didn't sell it. But this time, hats off to you Honda, you have brought the Civic back. Now the 8th Gen doesn't feel good. The reduced steering lock to lock makes it easy to maneuver. The response of steering is quick. Some people may argue it can't be as good as 8th gen HPS and whatnot, sorry to disappoint you guys its not bad either. Feels perfectly great and like I said, this car better than 8th Gen despite having an EPS. And if I may add, driving a Grande after 10th feels the steering isn't connected to anything but Air, lack of existence of a driving surface and you drive on guess work.
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PERFORMANCE & TRANSMISSION:
Well the much criticised R18 as many don't like it because it's name is R18 is a very good engine that has proven itself during the last 10 years as reliable and responsive is still a good energetic horse even by today's standards. Now the addition of a CVT transmission has made it even more responsive. I have timed the car from 0-100 and mentioned this earlier as well including sharing the video, turns out its 9.6 seconds which is pretty much more than sufficient for driving conditions of Pakistan. Above 100, when you floor it, the response is greater than both previous Gens with R18 and feels abrupt and quick. The roll from 100 to 150 is also seriously improved, same is the case if you floor it at 150. CVT is a good move. The CVT itself is smooth, not as smooth as Grande (Grande is slightly smoother) but I would say slightly more responsive feeling than Grande. I guess the response and smoothness is either to pick from. Jumping from a Prosmatec I am not disappointed which was a slight concern before experiencing it.
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CONSUMPTION:
As per my previous Hondas, they truly give optimum after initial 5000 kms, currently I have driven 1400 and am fetching 10.5 give or take in local with AC. Let's see how much it improves with said time and mileage.
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SAFETY:
The VSA and dual airbags as we all know are standard. The VSA does come into play and you can feel it playing its role in an extreme maneuver. The braking is much much improved than previous models. Awesome braking.
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STABILITY:
No, and I repeat no car even remotely in this class comes close to it. 8th Gen being the benchmark I am happy to report it has overtaken 8th Gen in this regard as well. Have crossed 190 and it doesn't make you feel that high speed unless you notice the speedometer. At 190 it was the same feeling as 8th doing 160 and 9th doing 130 and Grande at 140. And at that speed it felt confident, focussed and poised.
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RIDE COMFORT:
Now here is what charm that multilink suspension shows you. As stated about stability above, despite being stable the ride is soft and comfortable. By comfortable I mean comfortable enough to glide over minor roughness and small bumps in the road. Its not as floaty as Grande but then again Grande is not remotely as stable either. So you can't have best of both worlds in this category. Pick your preference. If softness and glidiness is the Grande being a 100% benchmark, Civic 8th is 40% and Civic 10th is 80%. The wind noise is massively reduced. And my advance apologies to people quoting AGI glass, sorry but AGI feels upto standard and you will be disappointed to know its quiter than 8th Gen having Saint Gobains.
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TYRES:
This is a question in the head of every owner and future buyer, most of whom have either drained their budget or are trying to manage their budget for the purchase. I have personally gone for same size 215/55-16 Yokohama C Drive. They are definitely better than BG Luxo. Less noiser and softer but please read this and hope you can understand what I am gonna try to say; "BG are not bad tyres at all, the point is that if you are spending twice more amount on getting good branded tyres, you are not getting twice the tyre. By spending 2 times more what you will replace are going to be 1.3 times better. Or by spending another 100% additional of tyre cost you will get a 30% better tyre. Many owners have tagged BG as crappy but in my humble opinion 70% of the crappiness is psychological". So if you are currently tight on budget, why waste these tyres as shops can't offer more than 22k for them. By all calculations even if you keep them for next 18 months you are wasting app Rs.1200 and even if you haven't driven them much you can still purchase branded next year when budget allows. Getting 60k worth set and using them for next 3 years starting today will bring it to app 1600 per month. So still you wont ne at a disadvantage even if you utilise BG with not so much mileage and waste them after 18 months. Trust me I drove the BG for good 400-500 kilometer and they are not bad if your budget isn't allowing an immediate change. Keep them @Rs.1200 per month for next 18 months. BG may not be great, but they are not poor either.
As an overall, I would say this really is the best Civic ever and hands down the best car locally available in its price and category. It has a class of its own now and shouldnt be compared with competitors. All in all it makes you feel great.
If I have left any aspect. Please let me know and I shall post it. Hope my review helps other members and brothers. Thanks
Excellent review
PS: For the love of your kids dont let them ride in the front seat please. Let them cry in the back. Crying is better than their compromised safety.
