Honda Civic e:HEV: Eyes on the future

What is it?

With a heritage of more than half a century there is lots that can be said about the Honda Civic.

No navel gazing here, though. Far from dreamy reminiscences about its-once popular product, the maker says the company is looking strictly to the future with the updated model as a bridge to total electrification of its vehicles.

The entry-level petrol engine has been given the shove, with the new Civic e:HEV L hybrid filling the position, while the e:HEV LX variant is still available.

Performance buyers have not been left behind, with the Civic Type R turbo, sans hybrid assistance, still ‘on the grid’

What’s it cost?

First as a two-door fastback and later as a three-door hatchback Civic was to become one of the all-time best-selling automobiles in the world, with more than 28 million units sold since 1972.

While the latest version looks like a sedan in profile, Civic is actually a lift-back with a low-profile roofline that makes it look less like an upright hatch.

Enhanced sportiness is the theme here, with a redesigned front bumper and body-coloured headlight garnishes combining to present a more powerful front.

New 18-inch alloy wheels suggest advanced athleticism.

There’s just the two grades: Honda Civic e:HEV L ($49,900) and Honda Civic e:HEV LX ($55,900).

These are national, no-haggle driveaway prices.

Our test vehicle was the entry level L, although that term probably does the car and injustice.

Advanced in-car technology updates – including Honda Sensing and next generation Honda Connect with Google built-in – have been added across the range. 

The 9.0-inch infotainment screen now adds Google built-in services, allowing access to Google Assistant, navigation via Google Maps, link to compatible smart home devices and the ability to add apps from the Google Play store.

Honda Connect services also provide a link between smartphone and the car, to remotely adjust the climate control, lock or unlock the car, check vehicle location and receive car status checks.

A three-year subscription is included.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, AM/FM/DAB radio, or Bluetooth are on tap, while a 12-speaker Bose audio system punches above its weight with sound reproduction across all genres.

The Civic comes with new and advanced active and passive safety technology, including Honda Sensing, driver assistance made possible by a better front camera software, while Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure is designed to better protect occupants and pedestrians in an accident.

New generation Honda Connect features a new user-friendly Connected App interface, improved response time and other new features.

All models come with 11 airbags (with rear-seat side and centre airbags previously not part of the hybrid equipment list).

Every Civic comes standard with a 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty, five-year Premium Roadside Assist and five $199 services.

What’s it go like?

Space inside is abundant. Headroom up front is good and heated seats and dual-zone climate control are joined by a heated steering wheel.

Storage is not so good, with a pair of cupholders and a small wireless charge tray.

A lidded console offers more storage, and front doors have bottle holders.

The legroom out back is generous, and seats include a fold-down armrest, a pair of USB-C ports and air vents.

Boot space of 409 litres with rear seatbacks up is accessed by a manual liftback which can be awkward to operate.

A space under the floor is enough to hide small items, while missing are a full-size or space-saver spare.

Civic hybrid comes with a tyre repair kit.

Powering the Civic e:HEV pair is a 2.0-litre direct injection petrol engine plus a two-motor hybrid system putting out 135kW of power and 315Nm of torque, engineered for ‘engaging levels’ of performance, response and feedback.

Get in, press the start/stop button and leave the rest to the Civic. The powertrain prioritises electric running, with the ICE chipping in from cold starts, or when battery charge is running low.

The E-CVT automatic is very un-CVT, with smooth running like an EV at low speeds, using the petrol engine to drive the wheels at higher speeds.

Regenerative braking that feeds power back to the battery when coasting can be adjusted via steering wheel paddles.

Civic e:HEV features more than one selectable drive mode letting the driver choose throttle response and fuel efficiency according to preference or driving conditions.

On offer are Normal or Econ, which reduce throttle and transmission sensitivity as well as air-conditioning to help optimise fuel use and Sport which enhances throttle response, steering feel and engine sound.

Finally, Individual mode enables the driver to select preferred settings including engine responsiveness, steering feel and gauges.

While all this was going on the test Civic recorded average fuel consumption of 4.6L/100km during a week of family-style motoring.

Honda claims a combined urban/highway cycle figure of 4.2L/100km.

Recommended fuel is regular 91-octane unleaded petrol.

What we like?

• Abundant space inside
• Legroom out back generous
• Fold-down rear armrest
• Powertrain prioritises electric running
• Low fuel consumption

What we don’t like?

• Storage not so good
• Missing a full-size or space-saver spare

The bottom line?

According to Honda the new Civic is the harbinger of sustainable-energy driving, with the sporty Prelude the next cab off the petrol/electric rank and coming Down Under in 2026.

Something to look forward to.

 

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