HONDA’S small-car stalwart suffered some worrying overseas press leading up to the ninth-generation sedan’s Australian release in February, but after a spell behind the wheel of the keenly priced VTi-L auto we wonder whether some critics need to have their heads checked.
You will struggle to find a better-value quality-built C-segment sedan that is as much fun to steer, easy to resell, or as reliable.
While far from perfect, the Civic shows that the company knows its stuff after 40 years of building the series.
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FD Civic VTi
Released: February 2006
Ended: January 2012
Family Tree: CivicHONDA scored a smash hit with the Mk8 Civic range, despite the lack of a hatch that was affordable, as both the British-built three-door Type R and five-door Si topped $40,000. , , Very keen pricing that started at under $21,000 for the entry-level VTi helped pull in punters, as did a slickly styled exterior and extrovert cabin presentation. , , Three four-cylinder engines were offered – the 103kW/174Nm 1.8-litre single-cam unit in the VTi and VTi-L, a 114kW/188Nm 2.0-litre twin-cam for the Sport, and a 85kW/170Nm 1.3-litre petrol-electric Hybrid.
The regular petrol cars came with either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic gearbox, while the Hybrid employed a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Only the lack of electronic stability control jarred, a situation only rectified with the 2010 model year facelift.
Get the full story: Honda's Civic has a proud heritage, but can it still cut it against the new breed?
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