The 9th generation Honda Civic 5D (hatchback) was unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September 2011. The car with a futuristic exterior design and distinctive interior continues the trends embodied in the previous 8th generation Honda Civic.
As part of this review, we will try to understand the evolutionary processes that the Honda Civic hatchback of the 2012-2015 model year has undergone.
The new model of the Honda Civic IX-th generation with a five-door hatchback body slightly increased in size compared to the previous generation: in length +35 mm (4285 mm), in width +10 mm (1770 mm), in height +12 mm (1472 mm) ) and only the dimensions of the base lost 30 mm (2605 mm), the ground clearance remained small - 150 mm.
First of all, the buyer pays attention to the "clothes" of the car and only after an external inspection is interested in the internal content and technical stuffing. We do not deviate from tradition either. Honda Civic 5D New looks at us with cunningly squinted head optics of complex “almost triangular” shape. A new design element applied in the front of the Honda Civic hatchback is a black plastic insert located between the headlights (similar to the Seat Bocanegra). The bumper is aerodynamically shaped with pronounced lower air ducts and fog cannons. The 9th generation Honda Civic 5D boasts the now fashionable front LED strips (daytime running lights) located above the bumper air intakes. The wipers returned to their usual placement and operation algorithm (on the 8th generation they were swing-open). In profile, the 2012-2013 Honda Civic hatchback demonstrates its distinctive shape with a short hood, heavily littered A-pillars, splashing waves in the area of the front and rear wheel arches.
The plastic edging of the wheel arches looks original and stylish, which can accommodate wheels with discs from 195/65 R15 to 225/45 R17, optionally, it is possible to install R18 discs. Thanks to the hidden handles of the rear doors, the already distinguished by a pronounced coupe-like body, the Honda Civic 5D wants to be ranked among the cohort of sports coupes.
The back of the 9th generation Honda Civic 5D looks stylish, here the main "horse" is lighting in the form of a wing (it looks easy and beautiful). The two-story glass of the fifth door got a wiper (in Russian conditions, a vital thing), the opening of the tailgate does not deprive the trunk of its practicality, only the loading height is too large. The composition with the name “Honda Civic 5D 9th generation” is completed by a powerful rear bumper with a la diffuser made of unpainted plastic. Summary: the designers managed to preserve the bright attractive image of the "space" car, they followed the "do no harm" path and did an excellent job with their work.
The previous generation Honda Civic stood out from its competitors not only in appearance, but also in interior design. The new Honda Civic IX 5D has not lost its avant-garde interior. Comfortable, ergonomic, beautiful and stylish interior - the owners of the previous generation Civic understand what this is about. Grippy steering wheel, gearshift control rocker is positioned perfectly correctly. A two-story dashboard and a pretentious configuration dashboard do not cause controversial assessments.
Total: tactilely pleasant plastics and seat upholstery, high-quality fit of parts and, in general, a solid interior assembly.
The front seats - with a sporty profile and a lot of adjustments, as a bonus, the new Honda Civic 5D has an adjustment of the lateral support rollers on the driver's seat. In the second row, thanks to the flat floor, passengers are comfortable and comfortable, only tall people will complain about the proximity of the crown to the roof. The transformation of the second row seats is a "trick" from Honda. The seat back can be folded flush with the floor and the trunk can be increased from 477 to 1378 liters (although this is the volume, taking into account the underground, in the Russian version, part will be eaten by the spare wheel), or you can raise the seat cushion vertically and get an almost flat area in the cabin.
The level of basic equipment of the Honda Civic 5D New hatchback will delight buyers: air conditioning, electric power steering and column adjustment in four directions, front and rear impulse windows, touch screen, central locking with d / y and alarm, electric drive and heated mirrors, radio with CD MP3 and USB AUX, daytime LED lights, chip key (start the engine with a button).
Driving performance of the Honda Civic hatchback and technical characteristics.
The new 9th generation Honda Civic 5D is a front wheel drive vehicle. The front suspension has not changed - MacPherson struts, the rear also remained the same - a torsion bar with tied levers. The beam became stiffer, and the silent blocks of the levers began to be installed hydraulic (similar to the Honda Legenda), the new steering rack, depending on the engine and installed wheels, makes 2.47-2.81 revolutions (on the 8th generation Civic 2.2-2, 5 turns) - the steering wheel has become less nervous. Disc brakes with ABC and EBD.
As power units on the 9th generation Honda Civic are installed: two gasoline engines 1.4 i-VTEC (100 hp), 1.8 i-VTEC (142 hp) and a diesel engine 2.2 i -DTEC (150 HP). Russian buyers will get only 1.8 liters (142 hp) with 6 manual transmissions or 5 automatic transmissions.
It's time to drive, the engine starts with a button. At idle, the engine of the 9th Civic is not audible, and even when driving with the windows closed, the cabin is quiet (the Japanese have worked on soundproofing). Compared to the previous Honda Civic 5D, the suspension of the novelty is more comfortable and soft, but shakes noticeably on poor road surfaces. Otherwise, all the usual habits of the Honda Civic hatchback are present - a sharp steering wheel, a gambling engine and gearbox, an elastic and assembled suspension.
As the test drive showed, it is a pleasure to drive the new Civic, turn after corner, the car just asks to increase the pace of passing bends and hairpins. A good car, but no more, you can catch yourself thinking that from generation to generation Honda Civic becomes calmer, softer, more comfortable and continues to lose adherents who loved Civic for its sharpness, toughness and adrenaline.
Price for Honda Civic 5D (hatchback) in 2015 for Russia starts from ~ 929 thousand rubles (basic configuration 1.8 i-VTEC 142 hp with 5 automatic transmissions). The top grade of the 2015 Honda Civic hatchback is offered at a price of ~ 1 million 129 thousand rubles.
