This small car hatchback has been a favourite with Aussies for decades, but a massive change to the new one could turn off long-time fans.

Honda’s latest Civic is an excellent small hatchback but comes in only one, high-specification grade. Can our family of testers justify its steep $47,200 price?

Iain: Let me take you back to January 2020. We were pandemic ignorant and cars were cheap and plentiful.

Jules: What’s that got to do with this Honda Civic?

Iain: Glad you asked. In early 2020 a humble Civic hatch cost $22,390 and a range-topping VTi LX was $33,590 before on-roads.

Iain: Things have changed, a lot. Two years ago you could buy six different grades of Civic hatches and sedans. Today there’s just one version: a five-door VTi LX for $47,200 drive-away and that’s non-negotiable.

Jules: Wowzers. But it’s a new generation Civic, right?

Iain: Yes and it’s very eye-catching and superb to drive too. But that’s almost BMW 1 Series, Audi A3 or Mercedes A-Class money. Similar coin could buy a Hyundai i30 N hot hatch.

Jules: Tough competition. Is that why I’ve not seen many around?

Iain: Honda has sold only 263 in 2022 so far versus almost 8000 Hyundai i30s. But stock shortages have played a part.

Jules: It could sell on its looks. The front end is beautifully styled, there are LED lights everywhere and sporty black alloys.

Iain: Honda will struggle to get bums on Civic seats at the price but once you’re inside it’s a lovely cabin.

Jules: Very roomy too. There’s a plush, well-appointed feel and the design’s modern.

Iain: Kudos to Honda for the smart honeycomb strip running the length of the dash. It conceals air vents moved by toggles, which really should be metal rather than cheap-feeling plastic.

Jules: The rest feels more expensive. Soft touch doors and dash, faux leather and suede heated power seats. I like the knurled rotary climate dials, too.

Iain: Which should also be metal. But the gear shifter and steering wheel feel superb, both your elbows are nicely padded and the 9-inch infotainment is crisp and works well. There’s no full digital display in front of the driver though.

Jules: Not easily pleased are you? The dash is mostly digital, it’s just the speedo that’s analog.

Iain: At this price it should be fully digital and customisable as you’ll find in rivals. Oh, and $200 for carpet mats is cheeky. They should be included.

Jules: I’m sold. There’s wireless charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Bose sounds for my heated-seat commute.

Iain: Non-Apple folk have to slum it with wired Android Auto but I agree, it’s a well insulated and cosy cabin. The ride’s not plush, though.

Jules: The suspension feels very firm.

Iain: It’s not too bad. It shows over bumpy roads but is fine on the highway. I’ll tolerate it for the Civic’s superb handling. It loves a corner, thanks to independent rear suspension and very grippy Goodyear rubber. It rivals our VW Golf for driving joy.

Jules: I don’t think it’s comfy in town. And on a two-hour trip I found the seats, although supportive, too firm.

Iain: It’s a good highway partner with radar cruise control, and blessedly, its lane keep assist just gives a little vibrate rather than nannying beeping. That meant I left it on. Rival brands please copy Honda’s system.

Jules: The surround-view camera is excellent for busy car parks.

Iain: At this price I’d want a power tailgate, but at least the boot’s a giant 449 litres thanks to a false floor. That said, there’s no spare wheel, just a repair kit.

Jules: There’s decent power on tap.

Iain: It’s a 131kW/240Nm turbo four-cylinder – it has power but not a lot of personality.

Jules: I sense you’re going to blame the gearbox.

Iain: I am. It’s a CVT auto and while it’s a pretty good CVT, once you ask for shove it simply drones too much, robbing me of joy. The Civic’s so well balanced and has lovely steering feedback, but boy it needs a manual gearbox.

Jules: You’re a dinosaur.

Iain: Safety kit is lengthy but I’m disappointed it’s not yet been crash tested.

Jules: There’s really good rear space, both leg and head room. Plenty for our kids, or two adults.

Iain: There are rear air vents but no USB ports or auto up/down windows. That feels stingy at this price.

Jules: At almost $50,000 on the road it stretches the family budget. We could get a high-spec medium SUV for the same money.

Iain: True. A big bonus is the Civic’s ludicrously cheap servicing. Just $125 each year for the first five. Our fuel use was only 6.7L/100km.

Jules: It looks great, has ample luxury and technology and is roomy enough for our family of four. But for $47,200 I could buy a medium SUV with better ride comfort.

Iain: The new Civic’s up there with the VW Golf for an everyday car bringing proper driving joy. Give me a cheaper, less fancy one with a manual gearbox and I’d snap it up. I wish the range was bigger.

HONDA CIVIC VTI LX VITALS

WARRANTY AND SERVICING 5 years/unlimited km warranty, $625 for 5 years/km

ENGINE 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol, 131kW/240Nm

SAFETY Eight airbags, auto emergency braking, lane-keep and blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic alert, radar cruise

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