This review is dedicated to Omar_575 whose review made my decision easy to opt for Honda Civic instead waiting for new corolla. I was using a honda city vario since 2008 and upgraded to this civic so keep in mind that i am comparing what i had and have now:
Over All first impression
in single word if you compare 8th and 9th looks for me 8th gen is sexy and 9th is sporty (looks), this is what for the external beauty. The sharp sporty edges are more attracted for even boys of my age :-). Ride quality is enjoyable and fuel economy is awesome for a 1.8.
Exterior
The front sharp look made this car type of "sports car" while remain in sedan class. It resemble some times from honda city and it hurts to the owner when someone points it out. the back of this car needs some changes, an old style full light bar on trunk lid is advisable but i will keep mine as it is :-).
Interior
Interior of this car is where you get most "wows" of first time sitters, it has plenty of gadgets, options but i feel having this much hardware they could have done some more flexible things in the software/ operating system i.e. (sound commands etc). The visibility factor is very good, height adjustment is a good thing in it where i can make it jeep while touching my head to roof or even see from my open sunroof :-). back seat A/C Vents for this much paid amount car is desirable even thought the a/c throw is adequate. I am missing my two glove compartment of Honda City here (no place to keep my tissue box). Seats are comfortable, back seat center rest is average as it should have some stopper (like city) instead leaning down and touching the seat. side viewing mirrors are squarish, i prefer rectangular side mirrors with more panoramic back view, however its not a big constraint once you adjust it right.
Suspension
I have a personal and simple suspension test devised, which is to take the car on a specific speed from a cat eye speed breakers. The number one car was Toyota no jerks even in back seat, Civic is better than City sure but having Yokohama db means you are close to Toyota. the road clearance is good, checked it with 4 passengers and on the "khaddas" of defence road Mohlanwaal and nothing touched the ground even on some speed.
Steering
The steering wheel is very light, easy and comfortable to grip. both way (tilt/ telescope) adjustment make it easy to suit your driving habit, the total turn radius is short from city for which in first days i make some wrong calculation in u turns :-). The controls on steering are easy and fun to use. The horn button/ place for Pakistan is not good in Honda cars, i remember the horn button on old toyotas where you can easily press the horn by your thumbs, it is a good option for Pakistan where you need to push it frequently.
Cruise Control
Its fun to use it on motorways to get very good mileage, but i am unable to understand my car's response in econ and non econ mode, i mean the gear changing process in cruise control ON during non econ mode was a bit "freaky", first low rpm then suddenly high then moderate and then high to reach the set point (no idea, i would love to hear on it from experts). however overall its a very good and fun thing which can save your calf muscle during LHR-ISD-LHR tour, specially in one day.
Fuel Consumption/ Econ Mode
In the initial 2000 Km i remain on Econ mode so not to take the RPM on peak. i get 11/ ltr in city and 15.6/ltr on motor way and on average got 13/ltr. after that i turned off the econ mode and then i realized that i have purchased a 1.8 ltr, life was so boring with econ mode but mind you Econ mode is a very good teacher also for aggressive drivers how to drive like humans :-). is there any other benefit of Econ mode apart from some mileage gain? like low rpm means engine/ trans life impact etc?
Trunk
I am surprised to see the trunk space as to lift the car from ground this is the space Honda sacrificed, no more 2 suit cases of "Begum" can be adjusted in it :-), plus no cloth covering on the trunk lid internal side as was in my honda city 2008!!.
thanks