Can new Honda Civic live up to its local heritage?

With the vehicle having been around for more than 50 years, the Honda Civic is the Japanese manufacturer’s longest running nameplate.

Hence the local launch of the all-new, 11th generation Civic this month was an important moment for Honda Motor Southern Africa.

They say the Civic RS will continue to build on a local reputation for engineering excellence, fun-to-drive dynamics, quality construction and frugal fuel consumption.

First local Honda Civic RS

As the first Civic to wear the RS badge in South Africa, the newcomer boasts low and sleek bodywork, large windows, wide LED headlights and taillights, 18-inch black alloy wheels plus black finishes for the side mirrors, shark fin antenna, door handles and rear boot spoiler.

It is 4 677 mm long, 1 802 mm wide, 1 415 mm high, with a wheelbase of 2 735 mm.

Under the bonnet is a turbocharged, four-cylinder, 1 498 cc petrol engine that produces 131 kW of power at 6 000 rpm and 240 Nm of torque between 1 700 and 4 500 rpm. The above grunt and twist is sent to the front wheels via a CVT.

Inside, it will seat four adults in comfort and five at a pinch on suede and leather covered seats, with electric adjustment and heating at the front.

It comes standard with a sunroof, heated electrically adjusted side mirrors, red ambient interior lighting, sport pedals and a finely textured centre console.

Features galore

There is an on-board computer with multi-information display, including Honda’s new nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while a wireless smartphone charger and USB ports front and rear are also standard.

ALSO READ: All-inclusive new Honda Civic RS priced

Additional mod-cons include dual zone air-conditioning with rear ventilation, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, auto windscreen wipers and cruise control.

The Civic features three drive modes: Eco, Normal and Sport. Switching between the three is simplified through a Drive Mode Switch located on the centre console.

Active safety features include vehicle stability assist, ABS with EBD, hill-start assist, brake hold, a rear-view camera, parking sensors front and rear, a lane change blind spot monitor, forward collision warning system and lane watch camera.

Should you shunt it, the Civic offers passive safety features in front, side, and curtain airbags, plus seatbelt pre-tensioners for the front seats.

Honda Civic can do with a manual

The launch route between Kyalami and Hartbeespoort offered a range of city and urban roads, with the Civic RS able to demonstrate many of its attributes.

The Civic RS accelerates briskly, and Honda claims it will go from standstill to 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds, with a top speed of 200 km/h.

We would not argue with their figures, though the car’s kerb weight of 1 348 kg did feel a bit heavy.

Under acceleration, it imitates gear changes much to this driver’s approval. But, under deceleration, the system decides when it wants to downchange, which led to a jerky ride. We would have preferred a manual gearbox.

Handling is sure-footed and the steering direct. The vehicle has a turning circle of 10.8 m, which aids manoeuvring in tight spots and easy parking.

It will, according to Honda, deliver fuel consumption of 6.2 L/100 km and travel 758 km on its 47-litre tank.

Conclusion

The Honda Civic is only available in the flagship RS derivative, that will set you back R669 000. We think that is expensive, but what is not, these days?

The price includes a five-year/200 000 km warranty and a five-year/90 000 km service plan.

For more information on the Honda Civic, visit the manufacturer’s website.