2019 Honda Civic - First Drive Review

With the intensive popularity of the compact SUV segment, Indian mid-size sedans have recorded a constant low demand. Despite this trend, Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) has decided to add the 10th-gen Honda Civic to its sedan lineup the long-anticipated Honda Civic. The 8th-gen Honda Civic was a great success in India with around 2500 units sold each month. Due to the absence of the diesel motor option and the tremendous success of the 9th-gen Honda Civic in the global market, Honda feels a pressure to upgrade the Honda Civic and give it a new generation after an over-five-year absence in the Indian market.

The 10^th-gen Honda Civic inherits all the good features from its predecessor and also comes with considerable upgrades to effectively compete against some of its direct rivals like the Skoda Octavia and the Hyundai Elantra. Read on to discover if this latest-gen Honda Civic can help the Japanese auto manufacturer revive its Civic nameplate in India.

The 2019 Honda Civic was launched with the expectations to help Honda revive the 'Civic' nameplate.

Also read - This Old-Gen Honda Civic Has Been Modified To Look Like The Latest Model

2019 Honda Civic Design

2019 Honda Civic Exterior

The 10^th-gen Honda Civic was locally debuted at the Auto Expo 2018, but the production model is actually the mid-cycle facelift showcased in August last year. The new-gen model receives considerable upgrades which give the globally best-selling sedan a sharper, more polishing and more fashionable appearance and at the same time, improve its upmarket feel.

2019 Honda Civic - Front                                                       

The polishing LED headlamps which are integrated with the fashionable L-shaped LED DRLs give the front fascia a premium look. The wide track has been made more appealing, thanks to the redesigned bumper with C-shaped chrome appliques. Unlike the global-spec Civic which sports grille with a piano black finish, that on the Indian-spec one is a chrome unit which better suits the local taste.

The front of the 2019 Honda Civic has a premium look.

2019 Honda Civic - Side profile

Coming to the side profile, you will realize a breakthrough in the aesthetic aspects of the 10^th-gen Honda Civic over its predecessor. A sloping roofline, a raised beltline and the crisp surfaces make the car outstanding. Moreover, the chrome elements around the greenhouse and on the door handles, the flush-fitting indicators on the sides and the sporty 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels further contribute to the bold stance of the vehicle.

The side profile is a breakthrough in terms of aesthetics in comparison with the previous model.

2019 Honda Civic - Rear

In the rear, the unique fastback design and the fashionable boomerang-shaped LED taillights make the vehicle more attractive and sure to catch anyone’s attention.

The rear of the new Honda Civic looks appealing.

2019 Honda Civic Interior

Honda Civic is well-known for its trendily-designed and well-equipped cabin. Carrying over this legacy from the previous models, the 10^th-gen model offers the utmost practicality, comfort as well as driver-focused touches.

2019 Honda Civic – Seat layout

The Honda Civic offers a 5-seater layout. The slim A-pillars and the 8-way electrically adjustable driver seat provide the driver with a better road view. The highly supportive snug front seat helps the passenger avoid sliding when cornering. Moreover, the rear seat row also offers impressive comfort, but the steeply sloping roofline and the massive gearstick make the cabin a little bit restricted.

The thin A-pillars and the 8-way electrical adjusted driver seat offers the driver a better view.

2019 Honda Civic – Features        

The new Civic is packed with a wide range of top-notch comfort features which include a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system which supports Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity, two-zone temperature control, a power sunroof and a remote motor start, etc. There are several storage spaces inside the cabin, which is of great use when you have to bring small objects in the journey.

A wide array of top-notch features are offered on the 2019 Honda Civic

Despite being a conventional unit and smaller than the that of the Honda City, the 430-litre boot space of the Civic offers easy access, thanks to its wide opening and low loading lip. The Honda Civic will ensure both the driver and the passengers a safe journey with a list of safety features including six airbags, hill holder, vehicle stability assist and the Honda Lane Watch blind spot display system unit, etc.

Customers can have easy access to the boot space, thanks to its wide opening and low loading lip.

2019 Honda Civic Specifications

2019 Honda Civic Dimensions

Being a mid-size sedan, the new Honda Civic measures 4,656 mm in length, 1,799 mm in width and 1,433 mm in height. It offers a 2,700 mm wheelbase and a 430-litre boot space.

2019 Honda Civic Performance

The absence of the diesel motor poses a significant disadvantage to the earlier Honda Civic against its rivals. Therefore, the Japanese brand has decided to offer both a gasoline engine and an oil burner in this new model. The former is a retuned version of the 1.8-litre R18 SOHC i-VTEC motor, which has been carried over from its predecessor. It can deliver a maximum power of 141 PS against a peak torque of 174 Nm and is mated to a CVT gearbox. This engine is compliant to the upcoming BSVI emission standards and has an ARAI-certified fuel mileage of 16.5 kmpl.

On the other hand, the diesel engine is a 1.6-litre i-DTEC unit, which has been borrowed from the Honda CR-V. The motor can generate a maximum power/torque output of 120 PS/300 Nm. It is coupled with a 6-speed MT gearbox and can churn out an impressive fuel mileage of 26.8 kmpl.

The diesel motor has been added to the Honda Civic for the first time, which increases its competitiveness against its rivals.

2019 Honda Civic Handling and Riding Quality

The refined petrol engine offers a smooth and torque-spread ride, but the CVT’s rubber-band-effect is a little bit disappointing to racers since they prefer a slightly more responsive unit. However, it does offer a lag-free performance, which helps you enjoy every minute of the travel, regardless of driving in the city or on the highway.

Astonishingly, with the below-2,000 RPM turbo lag and a smooth short-throw 6-speed MT gearbox, the powerful diesel version when kept in its powerband offers a much more enjoyable ride than its petrol counterpart. The light clutch action and the efficient gear ratios ensure that the car has no difficulty in driving around the city and will be a reliable driving enthusiasts’ companion.

Thanks to Honda’s compact global platform, the new Honda Civic provides impressive driving dynamics with a comfortable ride for both the driver and all the passengers. The wonderful handling characteristics help the new Civic tackle the cornering easily. Moreover, the multi-link rear suspension contributes a great deal to the car’s ability to travel through most surfaces. Body roll is kept to minimal even on fast cornering while the brakes offer a sharp bite. A high grip level is offered by the Yokohama dB tyres. The car also gets responsive steering even to the minutes of correction but when you speed up, it does not attain sufficient weight.

The new Honda Civic offers excellent driving dynamics and wonderful handling quality.

2019 Honda Civic Price List

The 2019 Honda Civic was launched at the price range of INR 17.72 lakh to INR 22.32 lakh (all prices are ex-showroom). While this price range is a little bit higher than that of its rivals, the vehicle is still a good value for money because of its aggressive and attractive appearance, a top-notch cabin, refined motors as well as excellent driving dynamics. Refer to the table below for a price list of the 2019 Honda Civic across its variants.

Also read - 2019 Honda Civic variants explained

2019 Honda Civic Verdict

The 2019 Honda Civic is a breakthrough over the previous model with the upgraded exterior and interior as well as the addition of a brand-new diesel motor, which, for the first time, appears on a Civic. While it is not free from limitations such as the petrol version’s unsuitability for racers and a cramped rear due to the raked roofline, these should not prevent auto customers from investing on a car with so many good features which is a valuable offer in this price package. In April, the Honda Civic held the leading position in the segment as regards the sales number but due to its unsteady monthly sales, whether it manages to maintain this position remains to be seen.

In this price range, the 2019 Civic is a wise investment.

Also read - 2019 Honda Civic Receives 1,600 Bookings In Less Than Half A Month

What do you think about this new-gen Honda Civic and its prospects in India? Let us know in the comment section below.

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