2011 Honda Civic SI Hatch Review

The first generation Honda Civic was introduced in 1972, since then over 17million have been sold and again there’s a lot to really like about the latest Honda Civic in Si spec, Lets check it out.

You know when a car is nearing the end of its life,the special editions seem to appear on a monthly basis. The Civic is one such car,  production of the current model will end at Swindon (UK) in the next 7 months. Essentially the Si kit is just a trim level – there are no chassis tweaks. However when you chuck it around you soon discover it’s a decent drive. It’s remarkably roomy, too, and that unusual shape masks a surprisingly spacious family hatch.

Behind the wheel
The interior of the Civic is equally as futuristic as the outside. The dash uses something Honda calls the Dual Link Concept – this puts the most important controls up high while less important switches are lower down. As a result you’ll find the ventilation and stereo controls at the same level as the steering wheel, so you don’t have to take your eyes off the road. The driving position is excellent and there’s plenty of adjustment in the seat and steering column while the three-spoke multifunction steering wheel is a wonderful piece of design. The blue back-lit dash with it’s digital read out creates a 3D effect. Overall, the quality of materials and brilliant build really does impress.

Performance
The new 1.8-litre i-VTEC engine made its debut in the Civic and it’s a remarkable unit, delivering high performance for its size with the fuel consumption of a much smaller engine. It can sprint from 0-100kph in 8.9 seconds and is a lovely to exploit as it revs freely but remains refined even when pushed hard. Our Civic comes with a delightful six-speed manual gearbox however a five speed auto is an option.

Handling
Agile and sure-footed, the Civic corners with confidence and the precise steering provides good feedback. It may not quite be as involving as the Ford Focus but it still boasts minimal body roll and an eager nature through corners. On twisting roads it feels stable and the firm brakes provide excellent stopping power while the gear shift has a sporty short throw and it was actually great fun to push around on our favourite local roads, while the ride on the motorway is impressively composed, but the suspension often transmits shocks from potholes into the cabin.

Comfort
The Honda Civic has never been wanting in creature comforts, so add Si trim and your ride will feature 17-inch graphite-coloured alloys, colour-coded bumpers, front fog lamps, a Type R-style mesh grille, plus dark chrome door handles and a fuel filler cap,plus blue tooth connectivity, USB input etc. Our 5 door hatch, looks remarkable like a 3 door due to hidden rear door handles and split-rear screen,so you’ll still stand out among a sea of much more mundane Golfs and Focuses.

While the Civic is roomy the rear is lacking in headroom for taller passengers and care needs to be taken in the five-door model to avoid hitting your head on the rear pillar on the way in. The large pillars also make you feel hemmed in, but the interior is comfortable and should carry five people without complaint. The Civic’s fuel tank is located under the floor just behind the front seats, and together with the torsion beam rear axle, it means a big boot. You’ll stuff in 475 litres of gear – 100 up on the Focus – and the seats fold flat with absolute ease. And there’s even lots of space under the rear seats themselves.

Practicality
As mentioned above the new Civic offers superb luggage space with a 475 litre capacity, plus the boot features a neat twin-level floor. But it’s the rear seats that are the Civic’s cleverest feature – they fold flat in one go, or alternatively the bases can be lifted up – there’s also extra storage space underneath. This is an area where the Honda is way ahead of the alternatives. However there are gripes – rear visibility is obscured slightly by the spoiler in the split rear screen and there’s no rear wiper either, the bottom pane has a water-repellent coating that Honda claims clears itself – but in practice it doesn’t really work and collects dirt easily.

Equipment
The Civic Si model are very well-configured. Standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels with a temporary spare, dual-zone climate control air-conditioning, climate control glove-box and console, heated door mirrors, leather multi-function steering wheel (audio settings and cruise control), tilt and telescopic steering adjustment, electric power steering, and height-adjustable headlight beams (halogen). There is also an LCD multi-information display, CD (MP3/WMA compatible) with usb/aux/iPod in, a 6-speaker premium sound system.

Safety
The Civic scored five stars in the Euro NCAP crash tests.The Si comes with dual stage front, side and curtain. Seatbelt pre-tensioners, Isofix child seat mounting points and an electronic stability programme. It also comes with seatbelt reminder, three-point seatbelts (all round).Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) Body Structure is designed to enhance occupant protection, reducing the chance of deformation of the passenger compartment, it also comes with ABS,stability and traction control and Electronic Brake force Distribution.

Summary
Years ago, Soichiro Honda decided to build a car to be Japan’s Volkswagen Beetle or Mini . The car that Soichiro produced was the first Civic and this next-generation model is all about sticking to that original idea. The car maker was keen to lose the dull image of the previous car and aimed to develop something that would appeal to style-conscious drivers. It certainly succeeded and the result is a daring and ground-breaking design that is unlike anything else on the road. It’s not just style over substance though because the Civic is practical, great to drive and user-friendly while the interior is just as futuristic as the exterior. But with the Golf as good as ever, and a new Focus just around the corner, the Honda Civic is starting to feel old in some areas, and the Si kit doesn’t do anything to change that. This Civic will tempt you with its spacious interior, looks and familiarity and is still a very decent all-round package.

What is good and not so good?

What is good?

• Style
• Blue tooth
• Comfort, Interior space, Large Boot
• Engine, Filling the tank

What’s not so good?

• Driving dynamics don’t reach Ford Focus standard
• Poor rear visibility

Vehicle 2011 Honda Civic Si Hatch $ 29,990 MLP*
Drivetrain I-VTEC, 1.8-litre four-cylinder
Power and Torque 103kW @ 6300rpm174Nm @ 4300rpm
Safety 4 Star
CO2 Emissions g/km 163 g/km
Green Vehicle Guide Rating 4 Star
Fuel Economy L/100km (ADR comb) 6.9 L/100km
Tow Capacity 1400kg braked (man) Tow Ball Rating 75kg
Warranty 3 year/100,000km,
Alternative Ford Focus
Alternative Hyundai i30
Alternative Mazda 3
* Manufacturers List Price does not include government or other statutory charges, insurance or dealer-delivery fee.

AnyAuto Ratings 81/100
Behind the Wheel 8
Practicality 8
Comfort 8
Fit for Purpose 9
Equipment 8
Value for Money 8
Performance 8
Build Quality 9
Ride & Handling 7
Environment 8