What you see is what you get. The Civic is strictly an RS model this time, and we are not complaining.
With over 27 million units sold in over 170 countries worldwide since its inception, the Civic is the best-selling car Honda produces and, in many ways, is the direct competitor to the more popular Toyota Corolla here in South Africa. Now in its eleventh generation, the Civic is being offered for the first time as an RS model.
Sporty Exterior
Honda says previous generations have inspired the exterior of the new Civic RS. This culminates in the low beltline, long and low bonnet and pulled-back A-pillars, which give the new Civic a distinctive and dynamic silhouette. The wide-set LED headlights up front also help to emphasise the car’s width. The RS styling adds sporty enhancements such as 18” matte black alloy wheels and gloss black treatment to various parts of the vehicle, including the side view mirrors and door handles. Exciting paint colours, such as Coffee Cherry Red and Brilliant Sporty Blue, add to the model’s sporty aesthetics. This low-slung model is also lower, 25 mm longer than its predecessor, and comes with a 35 mm longer wheelbase. All these changes tie in together to make a handsome small-sized sedan.
Modern Interior
The cabin also gets RS touches to continue the car’s sporty feel. The leather and suede seats should hold you in place should you partake in spirited driving, while aluminium sport pedals add an element of drama, along with red ambient lighting and contrast stitching.
The overall layout of the cabin is well thought out and pleasing to the eye. Honda has ensured that the dash has minimal cut lines, which is evident in the overall cohesion of the cockpit area. Tech is by way of a 9” HMI infotainment system, which comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and also works with the reverse parking camera. Honda has also thrown in a smartphone wireless charger to please the modern generation, as well as a 12-speaker BOSE sound system as standard.
Other modern niceties include a sporty multi-function steering wheel which works with the 10.2” digital instrument cluster. In addition, you will find heating for the front seats with eight-way electric adjustment, as well as cruise control, rear USB ports, park distance control, cruise control and keyless entry.
Road Sailing
Our launch drive started at the beautiful Riboville Boutique Hotel and Restaurant in Midrand, taking us for a cruise around Harties’ scenic routes. Immediately it was apparent that the new Civic had a more rigid structure than its predecessor, which has improved the car’s dynamic excellence. Honda stated that these changes were meant to improve handling while retaining the Civic’s comfortable ride quality. I quickly found merit in these claims, which were complemented by Honda’s enhanced 1.5-litre VTEC turbocharged engine, which churns out 131 kW at 6,000 rpm and peak torque of 240 Nm between 1,700 and 4,500 rpm. The car comes with a CVT transmission, which Honda assures us will not diminish the driving experience as it comes with Honda’s “Step-Shift”, which simulates gear changes when accelerating. As far as CVTs go, this execution is one of the better ones. I prefer a manual or a torque converter automatic, but I wouldn’t say that the car suffers for it. Plus, the transmission also works rather well with the engine to produce good fuel economy at a claimed average of 6.2 l/100 km.
Now, for those mistaking the RS badging for performance-oriented upgrades, be advised that it stands for “Road Sailing”, which is a high-level spec with cosmetic treatments. This means that despite the car coming with three driving modes – Economy, Normal and Sport – which I tinkered with through a Drive Mode Switch located on the centre console – the car still performs like a standard Civic. That said, the vehicle drives impressively for its category, rewarding you with a composed drive, low engine drone and a well-insulated cabin.
The new Civic RS comes with a host of safety features and driving aids as standard. These include Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation Brake System, Lane Keep Assist System, ABS with EBD, Hill Start Assist and six airbags.
Last word
There is a reason why the Civic was able to sell as many units worldwide as it did. It is a pure platform that offers a lot to the driver with little compromise. The car certainly looks good and delivers a fun driving experience. We will still need more time with the vehicle to see if it has what it takes to go for the Corolla’s throne, but it left us with good first impressions, to say the least.
Report by BRYAN KAYAVHU | Images © Hyundai South Africa