Honda Civic [2010-2013] User Reviews

bought the car recently and it is really great in all aspects .the drive gives you a feeling of exhiliration as HONDA says for civic.i am told that with fully loaded civic with luggage in boot , one has to be careful over potholesotherwise it scrapes the ground. solution = go slow(i have'nt experienced it yet )looks,style,engine performance,interiors,comfort and the digital speedometerGround clearance

Bought this Honda Civic (1.8 E MT) and was disappointed (poor and deliberately false information given by authorized dealer Ace Honda in Noida).  What is worse is that Honda has given a heavy, bulky Owner's manual of 376 pages out of which 70% of the pages are devoted to left-hand drive countries (Europe, etc.).  India is right-hand drive country and the information available is sketchy, confusing, chaotic.  Was this car rejected by Europe and dumped into the Indian market??? Perhaps, Yes and Honda didn't even bother to update the information that is relevant to India.

P.S.R.

Being taller than the average person, at 6'+ height, I had given up on cars a few years ago in favour of SUVs. Though an avid driver ( I like to chuck the car around on occasion when the open road beckons) I was convinced that car manufacturers had only shorter men in mind when they designed their products and I was doomed to either drive only SUVs or trucks.

Boy! Was I wrong!! I initially approached the Honda Civic with some scepticism. Being an avid car buff , I had researched the car extensively and sought the opinions of several owners. The thing that drew me to this car was that though some owners cribbed about some small issues (like the low stance, and below expected mileage) they were also unequivocal in their admiration for the car.

Not one of them regretted their purchase and in todays competitive world where distinction and differentiation between competing products are ever shrinking, this was a refreshing change.

I took delivery of a spanking new Taffeta White Civic about two months ago, and I must say I'm in LOVE!! :) I chose white because the Civic has several very subtle contours to its exterior shape and I found that the White highlighted them to best effect.

First the PROS;

Top-notch Style/Build/Quality/Finish. The Civic is easily the most stylish, upmarket and technologically advanced car in its segment. I dare say even in the segment above! The build quality, finish and attention to detail is simply awesome, and I must admit I have a new-found admiration for the Honda badge. The leather interiors and cabin reek of quality and luxury and frankly the passengers feel that they are in an automobile of a higher class/segment.

Amazing Performance and Technology. The Civic is loaded with tech that frankly I had only till now read about. As a new owner, I cannot but wonder how I managed all these years without the wonderful automatic transmission, the sporty paddle shifters, the ultra responsive brakes and the involving steering response. The car handles superbly and throttle response is like a kick in the rear. Stomp on the accelerator and you will be rewarded with a satisfying kick-down of the gears for immediate thrust that feels like it will blow away anything else on the road. Overtaking with so much extra torque and power is a breeze. The disc brakes are very effective and do not lose bite even with a heavy foot.

Great Comfort and Ergonomics. As I mentioned earlier, I am a tall person and generally find cars uncomfortable, so I have been driving an SUV for the last three years. The Civic is an eye-opener and a lesson to other manufacturers in the science of ergonomics. The seats (after adjustments) are so comfortable and supportive that I now look forward to long drives. The middle arm-rest is just right and the pedals well positioned. My only grouse is that I have to keep one hand on the steering wheel to steer;  which incidentally is one of the best designed steering wheels that I have ever seen. I only wish that Honda had mounted the music controls on the wheel.

The car has very few shortcomings; the CONS;

The low stance and the long wheelbase means that the car does have a tendency to scrape the bottom at high speedbreakers or extreme entry/exit angles. In my mind though, this is a trade-off for the sporty low stance and aerodynamics of the car. Again, the low stance also means that the car is a little difficult to get in and out of - this is no tall boy, and it takes some getting used to the low height. Again I feel that this is a worthwhile tradeoff. No car can be all things to all people and this car is designed like a sports sedan, a role that if fills admirably and as such calls for the low stance and therefore accompanying  compromises. I say if you want a tall boy, buy a Santro!

The second often heard  complaint is the alleged  low mileage.  I get  about 8kmpl  in the city in my automatic transmission Civic, which in my opinion is good mileage for an automatic, 1.8L hi-performance engine. In my opinion, to crib about fuel efficiency when you can afford to plonk down 14L for a car seems silly. I say if fuel efficiency is your main criterion, buy a Maruti 800!!

The OE tyres and alloys in my opinion are a let down. The tyres are the very ordinary Michelin MXV8 195/65 R15 with matching alloys. Though good-looking, the alloys/tyres are too narrow for a car of this type and I immediately swapped the tyres with Michelin Pilot Primacy 225/55 R 16s and a fantastic pair of imported alloys. This size actually increases the ride height slightly of the  car and greatly improves the handling, not to mention the killer looks!!. Since the sidewall height is not very different from the OE's, the ride comfort and suspension feels the same.

Overall, the car cannot be beat for the feel good factor that it bestows its owners. Civic owners will normally bear a self-satisfied smile when you ask about their cars.

Every vehicle is designed for a purpose and I maintain a garage that reflects that philosophy. My Scorpio serves for long drives (diesel economy) with the family on holiday and for site visits in rough terrain on business ( I'm a builder). My Accent takes my wife shopping and my kid to school ( a safe, reliable, city sedan with a good boot ) My Civic takes me out with my family in the evenings, or my wife and I out on long drives to de-stress. It is the first car that I have ever purchased simply because I wanted one, without too much care for other factors; the fact that it is a fantastic all-rounder is a testament to Honda engineering and a bonus to owners like me.

If you can afford to splurge on a car that appeals to the heart but still makes value for money sense it would be hard to turn your back on the Honda Civic, in my mind easily the best car in the segment.

Stylish, Up-market, Hi-Quality, Hi-Performance, Driver-centric CarExpensive, Low stance make entry and exit a little difficult.

Of course Car choices are personal and varies person to person. There are several reviews out there detailing performance, comfort & features- So i let me skip that part and move to maintanance & ongoing expenses. (Hypothetically, Just because a super-model is hot doesn't mean she is the right fit into your family) No doubts about it is a good car and has prooved itself over time in several countries!!! My question here is- does it make an ideal car for our roads & value for money?? A bit about myself & my car- I had owned this car for a little over a year between dec '07 & March '08. I have friends working in several Car Manufactures, and picked a civic through a friend working @ HONDA. An almost new one- internally used car which had done (not dealer used vehicle- the car was 8 months old and used within Corp HONDA- driver driven for executive purposes). My friend from Honda got the car done up for me, replaced mostly all of the wear & tear parts for free before I took possesion & brought it down to Bangalore. (Airfilter, fuel filters, break pads + disks, shocks, timing belts etc). SO financially nothing to beat it, and had warranty that lasted another 6 months (had crossed 40k kms by then). On Comfort- Not very appreciable on uneven patches, worst on un even mud patches which you prominantly come across in Bangalore & Gurgaoon. Back seat comfort takes a hit, becomes a roller coaster ride equivalant to what you experience in lower segment vehicles. Going over rolling spead breakers (small series of speed breakers that you find on highways or main roads) makes your stomach grumble when in back seat. - Not what you expect when u pay so much in INR Plus you need to be extra cautious and take it as slow & careful as possible on uneven roads/ mud roads. Turning in around small lanes/ blind corners- because of the long nose and low seating position visibility takes a serious hit. Most right angled turns in lanes turn into a blind spot / which would not be the case driving even smalles segmet cars. And ofcourse the lower seating arangement which makes it slightly uncomfy for the overweights (me) and older generation ppl (specially women)in the back seat Maintanance- Here comes the shocker!!! Ofcourse, when the car is under warranty you don't have much to worry about. The issue springs when this is not the case. Some of the major parts I had to change in my slightly 1+ year old ownership- 1. Clutch system - 1 time 2. Shocks- Rear * 2 times, front * once 3. Timing belts- 3 times 4. Ac motor * 1 5. Break pads * 2 times 6. Tyres @ 18- 20k 7. Radiator Hosing To me it supprised how often something broke down, most disappointing were the frequent need to replace suspension. Elements like AC motor failing, leaking radiator hose are unheared of in the first year of running. (This is inspite of having most parts replaced with a new one when taking delivery) And never a time had a I come across a service bill under INR 10k, somehow manages to cross 15k every 2 months. My worst nightmare came true when there was a minor run of road accident. Nothing major in terms of the accident itself but the damage was catastrophic. Although Insurrance paid of the bill- the amount & damage was rediculously high- There was this small run off cos of slippery wet mud roads, the vehichle hit a ditch and slipped off the road hitting a road side landmark stone head. Result- The entire right side had to be replaced- The whole AC Motor, Front bumber, front shocks, right swing arms & under carrage (think thats what they call it), powersteering column, PS motor, Radiato, AC pipeline The Billa a whopping 4 Lakhs !!! The next issue- Parts unavailaility took over a month for the dealer to get the parts and have it fixe. Really sad... And the worst parts was the dealer was unwilling if I were to get the parts for him throug local Auto dealers... Do consider the cost of ownership of this, before you proceed. Spares & Maintanance are very expensive.....Good Milage in this Class, Nice drive exp on good roadsLow level seating- not comfortable for aged & overweights + affects visibility, Running Costs

Most attractive car in the segment, handling & drive great on good roads, I find it little bumpy on bad roadsGreat style, best in the market, Drivers seat is the bestBack seat comfortable but little bumpy on bad roads, boot small

Honda Civic Vs Toyota Corolla

 

On the surface these two cars are in the same segment and compete globally against each other. While Toyota has sold more than 30 million corollas around the world, the civic has always been a perennial number two in this segment with sales of 3.6 million per year.

 

In fairness the Current civic was completely redesigned in 2006, the all new corolla will be available in 2009.

 

This is an interesting comparison since it brings out a major difference in design philosophies between two distinctly different cultures at Toyota and Honda.

 

First the corolla; The corolla does everything just right. The car is designed to appeal to a broad segment of people. Most people that want a no nonsense people mover that is comfortable modern and safe. Superior NVH performance for a quite ride and comfort. Low powered engine to give higher fuel efficiency. This car is loved by insurance companies. People who buy this are generally conservative in nature. Toyota is a conservative company that tries to perfect what it has, instead of reinventing the wheel. Corolla would be akin to the tried and tested bollywood movies that always end with the couple being happily married ever after.

 

The civic is a different animal. Globally it has been one of the most modified car in the world. This is a car that has always appealed to young automotive enthusiasts. Honda is an innovative company that thrives on pushing the limit. This is a car that was designed with youth and performance in mind. The civic is definitely more edgy. It is not uncommon to see a civic with ride height lowered,  larger wheels, spoiler and muffler modifications added.

 

From the drivers vantage: No doubt the civic wins hands down. Stiff chassis and suspension lead to better cornering, feel for road. The driver feels one with the road. The dash and instrument cluster give a futuristic feel. In the rear view mirror the civic appears more threatening by far than any other car in this segment. All this also means a harsher ride when dealing with bumps and potholes.

 

The corolla suspension is also fairly similar in concept to the civic. However that rates used in the springs and bushings make it much softer and so a better ride and worser handling.

 

Body: This is where the two do not even compare. The Body in white of the civic is at least a generation ahead of the corolla both in terms of the design and in terms of the materials used. The civic is heavier because there is a lot of structure. Load paths are incredibly well tied. Continuity of structure is excellent. In simple words the whole body is designed as a whole and not as separate front end, roof and floor and rear structure as other cars are. When put side by side the corolla looks skinny and week compared to the Civic. The civic is a global car and so the material grades are restricted to around 540MPA, since availability of the materials may not be the same in different areas. This means they have added material to get the rigidity required.

 

Safety: Although both cars are safe most of the time, the civic inspires a great deal of confidence. I would want my children in a civic any day.

 

The irony is that with all of these upgrades the civic still sells less than the corolla. One of the reason is the higher cost. But with the higher cost you get a much better product.

 

In the end car buying is a personal choice and an emotional one. One probably will not go wrong with either. However if oil flows though your veins, it will be hard to sit in the drivers seat of the civc, look out though the expansive raked windshield and not be excited.

Great design, Stylish, Driving dynamicscomfort, seats,

It is a car which really gives an impression of "Love at first site". I have a Night hawk black Honda Civic AT which I purchased in January 2007.The feel of grace when one steps into the driver seat is unbeliveable.The paddle shift buttons given on the steering wheel gives a feeling of one driving a sports car. The welcome illumination of the LED on the instrumental pannel is really very good.The speedometer which has digital display is very comfortable and very attractive. The Six CD changer which has been given is of good quality.The sound effects from the six speekers is good.All the buttons in the instrumental pannel as well as the glove box opener is within the reach of the driver.Overall the driver feels he is in his own cabin.The leg room for the navigator as well as in the rear is good. The best part of the rear seating is that the floor is flat,does not have a bar in the middle and this makes the person sitting in the middle comfortable.The boot space is ok.The car is giving me an average of 12kms/lit in the city and 15kms/lit on high way.The only drawback is that the cabin is not very silent, which is a big neagtive point as I drive in the city traffic. I feel,this is an car which is worth its prize.

Good style, good performance in city using paddle shift modeCabin not very silent

I purchased honda civic 2013 model at 70,000km It was still like showroom condition When i m going to ride what a performance like unbelievable I can't feel i bought second hand car Looks wise it is develop in 2006 but still no one model can beat her look in sedan cars Performance is very cool i have drive in city and highway, on highway it's around 160 is my top speed Service it's almost good you can manage not more then 10k in single service but if you maintaining properly. Feeling luxury car 5/4 Comfort 5/5 Power 5/5 It's having one issue is fule economy it's very bad in city I have seen average city/highway is 7 to 18

I bought my Honda Civic 1.8V AT just 2 months back and since then i am all praises for the car.

Like everyone else i also did a lot of research before buying an expensive car and everywhere this car was highly appreciated. I also own a Ford Fiesta 1.4SXi Diesel which is a beautiful car too.

The only con about this car which i read was low Ground Clearence. Believe me i haven't bumped the car even once till now. The trick is to cross a breaker at very low speed (I just stop the car n cross not more than 5 kmph). I m not an Engineer but i feel that the fuel economy could have been bettered. Well Automatic Transmission means hassle free and trouble free driving especially if u drive in delhi where heavy jams keep ur feet juggling on the clutch and brake.

I'll highly reccomend this car if u don't fret too much about mileage coz AT won't give more than 8-10 kmpl in the city.

The interiors are too good and the 6 CD Mp3 player is amazing.

The car brakes beautifully and the handling is Superb!!!

This car leaves the other two cars (Corrola and Octavia RS,Rider) far behing with its excellent style, interiors, build and features. Though the Octavia RS is 18 Bhp more than a Civic but then its interiors don't suit an Executive.

Excellent Styling, Comfortable and trouble free drivingNothing except Fuel Economy which cud have been improved a bit