- The 10th generation Honda Civic was showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo.
- The Civic will make a comeback in the Indian market next year.
- When launched, it will compete against the Hyundai Elantra, Skoda Octavia, and Toyota Corolla Altis.
Honda is bringing back the iconic Civic sedan in India after a hiatus of half a decade. The eighth generation Civic was discontinued in 2013 and the new one coming to our shores is in its 10th generation. It was showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo in February, and now for the first time, the Japanese sedan was spotted testing in Noida.
The new Civic to be launched in India early next year has already received a mid-life update in international markets. It is built on an entirely new platform and carries Honda’s newest design philosophy. As seen at the Auto Expo, the Civic wears the signature thick chrome slat in the front with modern LED headlamps and LED DRLs which still looks futuristic. At the rear, unlike the typical sedan profile, the new one has a notchback-like line with a high boot lid and a sloping roof. The taillight has a boomerang shape which complements the twin exhausts and nicely designed tail. The five-spoke 17-inch alloys seen on the test mule are striking as well.
On the inside, the Civic will carry a typical Honda interior, seen on the CR-V and the City. The black-beige interior will get brushed aluminium highlights with a seven-inch capacitive touchscreen infotainment system and automatic climate control. The instrument console of the older Civic was very distinct but the new one will carry a conventional layout. It will be feature loaded as well.
Under the hood might be a 1.8-litre i-VTEC petrol like before and a smaller 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel from the CR-V. Transmission could be a CVT for the petrol while the diesel will get a six-speed manual as standard with the option of a nine-speed automatic.
The Civic will take a CKD route to India when it arrives next year. It will face a stiff competition from well-established rivals in the D-segment such as Hyundai Elantra, Skoda Octavia, and Toyota Corolla Altis. Prices are expected to be around Rs 15-20 lakhs.
