Advantages: Reliable, well built performance family hatchback. Disadvantages: Some faults too common, it's a Vauxhall Vectra!!
The introduction of the new 2.2 16v Eco-tech engine amongst the current line up of 6 engines; ranging from 1.6 to 2.5 V6 with two diesel power plants thrown in between, gave customers a successful comprimise between the not-so-nippy 2.0l and the fuel guzzling 2.5l V6 engine.
The 2.2l 4 cylinder engine gave real flexibilitly in terms of driveability. With dollops of low end torque, and with strong useable power right up to the redline, together with the potential of achieving mpg figures of mid 30's overall, customers would have had to have been given poor advice from their dealer to opt for either of the other two engines mentioned here.
The SRI model fits neatly in the Vectra product range. Base model 'Envoy' cars are ghastly and LS and GLS trim options do little to improve. The SRI however brings the family hatchback (saloon also ...
Advantages: Great ride, comfortable, good performance, cheap parts, removeable hard top, feels very safe. Disadvantages: Poor paint, EGR valve, impaired vision when reversing, fuel consumption.
for the driver to access.
The engine in mine is the Ecotec 2.2 16V. The X22SE engine. I have found fuel consumption to be on the heavy side, averaging around 20-24 mpg combined but I do have a heavy foot!
The engine is strong and pulls very well. They come out of the factory at 134bhp as standard. You really do not need any more power than this in a 4x4 of this size. It will keep up with every day family cars easily and sits on the motorway all day long at 80mph with hardly any stress on the engine (3.5k revs).
The 4x4 system is very responsive and well built. I haven't been off roading like a maniac but it has seen it's fair share of green lanes and I have not had to use the 4 wheel low gear once yet.
The exterior is nice looking, maybe even a little bit soft looking to some extent but it makes up for that with it's performance. Paint ...
Advantages: Superb handling, very powerful Disadvantages: Touch high on insurance
In terms of motor vehicles i only have previous experience of a toyota corolla (1.4 auto) and a Honda CR-V (2.2 CTDi) so not many cars to compare the Civic to but i'll try my best.
The engine in the civic is the same that is in the cr-v, and with that i knew what to expect: Responsive, powerful, efficient and practical.
The 2.2 turbo diesel that honda have put into the civic seems just perfect for this car, It has enough power to shift when you really need it while maintaining the economical factor even on back country roads.
The civic seems to stick to the road, perhaps its the new stream-lined shape, or a change to the handling but i have yet to experience any over or understeer while driving about.
With an engine of this size, it dosnt break the bank in terms of diesel either. Hondas new engine is one of their most efficient ...
