Good to see Honda finally killing it again, hybrids are the way to go! I think the Japanese have been very smart not to jump too quickly onto the EV bandwagon.
Nice review. I've had mine for about 3 weeks now. Ordered Advanced in white with premium light and carbon kit. Car drives superb. Takes corners at speed easily and no unstability whatsoever. The ride is very comfortable and takes bumps/humps easily and doesnt unsettle the car whatsoever. Pickup is very fast- really enjoying every minute of it. Only done 300 miles so far- but will clock up a few thousand very soon. If anyone is on the fence- take the jump and go for advanced model - defo worth the extra ££.
@@alanplayford We wanted to order advanced also, just because of the roof window but it isn't coming this year in Düsseldorf, only two elegance samples, the first of which comes to us in a week or two. Next year, we maybe switch it for advanced but not necessarily since the differences aren't that relevant.
@@Ms777Lena i preferred the elegance as a choice. Lighter, lighter and smaller wheels, still 17, so better performance and less consumption. Per Honda’s description. And I don’t like leather. And it’s cheaper. Again my choice
Now if I was ready to buy, your review would have had me down to the dealer. Well done for a no nonsense review which tells us the things we need to know!
I have mine now 5 weeks and its the best Civic I ve ever had, and I ve had 5 versions. driving autobahn and city snd everything in between, very fuel efficient in normal mode around 5 liters per 100km. This car is just awesome.
Ordered the Advance in blue, stunning colour. Very impressed with the comfort/handling and performance it was quick of the line. Also decided on the Red Illumination Pack and Black Emblems. Just some info Jim on carwow they managed 0-60 in 6.7 pretty quick. This is coming from a present FK8 owner.
First video of yours I've watched in a while, and its looking great - very professional! Your channel has grown a lot too, nice one. I also am keen to see the new CTR although read some horrible rumours that it was going to be ruinously expensive
Great review. I tested 2l hybrid and ordered it as well. White one will arrive later in Aug-September. Fuel economy in my test drive was in - city 3-3.2l/100km ( driven 25km) - road from 50 to 100km/h was 3.3-3.7 ( driven 35km) - motorway 120km/h limit are/using speed 128km/h was 5.9l (driven 35km)
Great review Jim. I agree with you, it's a brilliant looking car. If I hadn't recently bought a V60 I'd be down to the Honda showroom for a good look around this.
I quite like it tbf. Lovely contrast between the white bodywork and black alloys wheels. Also, are those paddles on the steering wheel actually changing gears or they have something to do with some fancy re-gen brakes function? Good one mate 👍🏻
Power is always there because it's basically an electric car. Honda is driven by electric motor (184HP/315Nm), which gives it those good dynamics. Instead of big battery like in electric cars here petrol engine acts as generator (well, it powers another electric motor which is a generator). Petrol motor operates always in its optimal conditions (this is the reason why car is so efficient) producing quite often too much energy which is stored in small battery (for use when needed). There are times when it's more efficient to drive wheels directly from petrol engine (steady drive at around 70-140km/h), so there will be moments when clutch is engaged and petrol engine powers actual wheels ( gearbox icon in energy flow shows up). During this time battery is also charged and when it's full, car will turn off petrol engine and drive from battery power (even at eg. 120km/h speed). We use already stored energy instead of wasting new one. When battery discharges then petrol engine turns back on. Whole processes repeats itself. Of course at low speeds we most of the time drive from battery as well. Recuperation also works very efficiently as energy goes from wheels directly to electric motor as there is no gearbox. It's very clever system, which sounds to be even better than Toyota's. You basically drive electric car which is powered not from big battery, but from petrol burned by engine operating in its optimal conditions (around 41% efficiency which is basically best what currently can be achieved). Complicated, yet very simple at the end. Honda feels very confident with this system (no gearbox, petrol engine never stressed massively), so they give 5 years/300K km warranty in Europe. If you measure acceleration it's actually closer to 7sec than 8 (many videos on YT already). It's not specially quiet compared to competition, but some noise is due to Michelin Pilot Sport tires- very good for grip, but bit noisy.
@@ThePegi27 It's in Poland, but I think also in other EU countries. 3 years/100km as a standard. Then it's an extra 2 years as an insurance (not Honda's "normal" guarantee) up to 300K km. It's provided by dealers not by Honda themselves, but end result is basically the same. There are some exception in terms (electric bits are up to 5years/100k km only), but for example whole petrol engine is covered up to 5years/300K km, so this very good. Looks like in Germany it's 5 years/200k km and insurance is provided by Allianz, but as a paid option. In the UK it's also only paid option. Maybe free option is Poland only. No idea.
Great review. Mirrored my recent test drive experience of the 11th Gen by far the best yet. Very tempted to buy this in advanced pack in 2023 to replace my 10th Gen as it’s improved in almost very metric aside from the extra weight penalty carrying batteries. Thought I’d miss manual transmission and power compared with 1.5T sport touring. Not a bit of it. Super refined power train and nicely damped ride. Missed a trick not offering USB-C ports front and rear cabin and LED turn indicators all a round. Minor omissions to another wise well thought out evolution that cleans up all the fussy lines and builds on an already excellent platform. Shame it’s no longer built in Swindon.
Test driving one of these on Friday. The tech, mpg and drive quality seem to be big positives. My only concern is my love of power, currently have a 280bhp AWD so off the line can I live with this drop in performance.
@@pasiutrial I've since had 2 x test drives in the Civic and I've ordered one. Off the line I'd say the Civic is quicker to say 20mph due to the instant power, past 20-30 the 280bhp is obviously quicker.. My Skoda Superb is 350Nm
I feel you. I am considering buying one or the other. I can get Jazz for at least 5k less, probably more, with all the accessories I want + a slightly better consumption. But driving is meh. Looks awful, but OK - i can live with that i guess. I would love to have Civic though. I don't think it is any worse for practicality. Those magic seats are nice in Jazz, but i think i would maybe use couple of time if at all. Civic is far more superior from driving perspective, feels like a better quality for the money. But yes, it's the money at the end that is a problem (as usual). Both are expensive though, for what they are. But they are both brilliant cars I think. So a tough decision for me. I am torn apart :)
@@chebokli 🤔… sounds like you will be doing a coin flip! I have to say that based on Jim’s review I would find the extra money and get the Civic if I didn’t have the specific needs that I do. Sloping roof cars don’t work for me, I need something as close to a ‘box on wheels’ as I can get. The magic seats are great, and one of mine is always folded down. Also, the backrest folds almost flat on the front seat, so I can nap comfortably in it (back issues mean I can’t sleep flat anyway). It’s almost like the Jazz was designed for me… I also don’t like driving too fast, so once again it’s ‘sluggish ‘ performance is good 👍😁… I wouldn’t trust myself in a performance car 😆 I’m sure that neither car will disappoint you. Let me know what you get 🙏👍
Great video Jim. I'm looking to take my pension in February and am setting aside £20k for a used car and after watching hundreds of videos, I think I settled on the Honda Civic. Unfortunately, I think this new one will be out of my price range so was looking at the 1.5 Vtec Sport or Prestige and I won't be doing many mile really so am I better of with the petrol version ? I've usually had manual cars but not adverse to an automatic. Do they still have the registrations in March and do you think I'll be in a strong position with cash (I know they make most of their money through finance deals)
Hi Dave, as a cash buyer now you’re almost a second class citizen I’m afraid. Prices have been in a state of flux since covid began really and I personally don’t think the new reg thing makes too much difference any more (for what it’s worth). Thanks for watching mate; I just did an updated review on the new Civic over on the Men & Motors channel by the way.
I like the cleverer match between the ICE and electric motor than most MHEVs around. Would it be enough for me to change my all electric back to this? That might depend upon availability and price comparison.
I've been a Civic owner since 2008 - currently a 2017 Sport Plus, which I love. I really like everything about this new model, apart from one thing - it's looks! It's just too bland. I know the majority of people feel the opposite about this and the old model, but I feel it's lost its sporty heritage even though it's retained the excellent drive. A great review as ever though, thanks!
Used to be called the CVCC (happily renamed the Civic), the very 1st imcumbent. Ran on leaded & unleaded petrol., groundbreaking stuff. Think it's put weight on since? Thanks, Jim
Looks a bit Audi from the side. Wonder how sales will pan out as most folk are opting for SUVs these days and the HRV i would have thought would be more popular. Only problem with the HRV though is the measly 1500 engine. 50 years since the first Civic makes me feel old as i learnt to drive in one in 1978
I drove one and found the road noise to be intrusive. My ancient 5 series is like a limo by comparison. The gearbox doing fake changes was odd and i can't stick CVT revving power delivery it feels mechanically unsympathetic. On the whole it was a good car but 30k when i can buy an MG4 fully electric latest tech for 5k less. Sorry Honda...too expensive. The type R might be epic which is what it feels the chassis was made for
@@DefinitelyNotAGuru yes. This one. We've had Nissan juke CVT which broke after 20k miles. We've had a toyota CHR hybrid which was much better. Great car. Didn't try to be what it wasn't. This Honda is trying to be something it isn't. If it had an 8 speed ZF it would be way nicer. Its an ECVT in the Honda so it technically has no mechanical grearbox. Even if it was a manual that would've been better. I don't like making progress with valves dancing on the bonnet. I understand high revving with a CVT is actually more efficient but it sounds bloody awful. They've tried to hide it which was a good effort. But just make a manual or normal auto. Lexus insist on CVT nonsense as well. Puts me off.
I’ve been driving it again this evening and get absolutely zero of the traditional CVT characteristics in the car I have to test. It feels pretty much like a ZF actually (although it’s obviously not). As you’ll see in some of my other reviews, I’m not a CVT fan.
What a pity that they forgot to include an infotainment screen at the design stage & they've had to cut a slot in the dash to glue an ipad into. Also a pity they stopped building them in Swindon. I do have a Honda & it's great - for cutting the grass in my garden. Wouldn't drive one though.
It’s 100% a premium quality car that’s more than worthy of its price tag. Similar money to an A3 saloon, cheaper to run, better spec, drives better, and will undoubtedly be more reliable.
nowdays premium cars are not only about brand or logo on top of the car... + try config any new bmw with 30k budget, it will look like shiat, no power, no funcionality.
