I've had the facelifed Civic for 10 months now, so long enough to form a worthwhile opinion. In November of last year I was looking for a medium sized hatch. I considered all the usual suspects: Renault Megane (too French), Ford Focus (too commonplace), VW Golf (too 'flabby'), Vauxhall Astra - facelifted model not out for a few months, Toyota Corolla (too bland). Then I noticed the facelifted Civic...
To my eyes the 3dr Civic is a real looker - the new light designs and the skirts and bumbers give it a confident and sporty look, especially when paired with the alloys.
Inside, none of the childish flashy graphics or 'in your face' red - just an aluminium effect console with stylish black upholstery (with added bonus of looking fresh and clean several months later).
Getting in the car, the first thing you notice is the dash mounted gearlever - strange at first but after 5 minutes you wonder why every car isn't this way.
On the road, the mid-range acceleration is good and the car holds the road well. Little noisy at speed but not harshly so. One minus point for enthusiastic drivers : there is a lack of 'feel' from the power steering - not dangerously so but prevents you getting the most pleasure when hurrying the car through bends.
For gadget lovers the SE version has aircon, electric mirrors and CD. For safety there are 4 airbags - French competitors tend to have 6, so a minus point there. However, it's worth upgrading to the SE for aircon - will make the car more saleable later.
Good sized and shaped boot. Like so many modern cars only a space-saver wheel but enough to get you home and when's the last time you changed the wheel anyway?
In the back no stowage spaces, so if you've got a family, the more staid 5dr is probably a better bet. Niggle warning: after folding forward the passenger seat to gain access to the rear, note the whiplash action when you return it back to the (very) upright posiiton!
Other gripes: rain drains off the boot lid and front door when opened but you learn to live with it.
All in all, a nice drive and a pleasant ownership experience (good mpg too). If you've got the extra cash trade up to the Sport and get Mercedes style indicators in the door mirrors, climate control and bigger wheels.
Certainly recommended!
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Oct 13th, 2004
(Oct 14th, 2004)
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