2017 Honda Civic Review: Stunning Design and Performance
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2017 Honda Civic Review: Stunning Design and Performance
The Honda Civic has long been a top contender in the compact car segment, favored by many for its impressive features. Known for its reliability and spacious, meticulously crafted interior, the Civic also boasts fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines. Recently, I had the pleasure of driving the latest version for ten days, and I must say, it remains one of the best compact sedans available today.
Exterior Design of the 2017 Honda Civic
I truly appreciated the exterior design of the new Civic. Its sloped hood, aggressive front, and prominent wheel arches give it a distinctly sporty appearance. Compared to the previous model, the 2017 version is wider, longer, and has a lower profile. The version I drove features striking daytime running lights, beautiful headlights, turn signal LEDs on the side mirrors, and 16-inch alloy wheels. I also liked Honda's rear design, with bold, aggressive lines in the taillights.
Critiques
One critique I have is Honda's use of chrome in the exterior design. It would have been preferable to replace the prominent chrome line on the front with the black line found on the Civic Si sports model.
Interior and Cabin
You might be interested in "Honda Civic 2017 First Week Experience".
Inside, the cabin is simple yet very cohesive, embodying the reliability we've come to expect from Honda's Civic models. Despite my earlier comments, Honda has clearly utilized hard plastics in the interior, along with some soft-touch materials on the dashboard—something you can anticipate from a vehicle in this category.
Seat Comfort and Space
The interior offers comfortable space, allowing you to sit comfortably and utilize the storage for your belongings seamlessly. Personally, I appreciated the small compartment at the front of the gear shifter, which is perfect for keeping your daily essentials like your wallet and phone, complete with a USB charging port. Honda has designed cable ports to keep wires organized and out of sight.
Inside the cabin, you'll notice a low seating position, which conveys a sporty driving experience. However, during long drives, you might find the seats a bit lacking in lumbar support. In the back, as mentioned, there's ample legroom, but headroom may be an issue for taller passengers due to the sloping roofline. The trunk is one of the largest in its class, with the option to fold down the rear seats for even more space.
You may also be interested in "Report: Driving Experience of the 2017 Honda CR-V".
Features and Amenities
The model I tested came with the most basic equipment offered by Honda for this vehicle. It features a remote start system, keyless entry, push-button ignition, a basic audio system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity, climate control, and an electric parking brake that requires activation every time you start the car. It also includes a steering wheel with controls for audio and Bluetooth, cruise control, rear air conditioning vents, and rear parking sensors.
Performance and Driving Experience
The version I tested was equipped with a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 123 horsepower and 151 Nm of torque, transmitted to the front wheels via a CVT gearbox. This vehicle is remarkably fuel-efficient for its class, consuming approximately 10.2 liters per 100 km during my predominantly city driving experience.
When driving in the city, the Civic provides a calm and enjoyable ride with low noise levels. However, upon pressing the accelerator and beginning to pick up speed, you can distinctly hear two separate sounds—the engine straining to accelerate and the less-than-ideal CVT transmission noise. I also noticed that the braking speed is reasonable, but I experienced noticeable vibrations when attempting to slow down at speeds over 80 km/h. I'm unsure if this was a specific issue with the car I tested or if it applies to all new Civics, but I suspect it's the former.
As for steering, you will find it sharp, although it lacks the desired feedback. Personally, I didn't face any issues with it during my daily driving. The suspension system is commendable, providing a comfortable ride, especially on slightly rough roads.
Conclusion and Competition
The Honda Civic will always be among the best cars you can buy in this segment. However, it currently faces tough competition from models such as the Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3, Nissan Sentra, Hyundai Elantra, and Kia Cerato.
The 2017 Honda Civic is available with three engine options: the 1.6-liter engine that I tested, a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, and a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, with prices in the UAE ranging from AED 67,900 to AED 94,900.
My advice to those considering purchasing a 2017 Honda Civic is to test drive all available engine versions to see which one suits you best.
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