A second look at the new Civic

It’s new. It’s big. But is it beautiful?

It has been almost a year now since Honda rolled off into the market its latest, all-new take on its best-selling sedan, the Civic. The new car had big shoes to fill, as the previous-generation Civic was a success, sprinting off from showroom floors to the top of the sales charts virtually from Day One. A perennial leader it was, even up to its last few strides to the finish line. So in introducing an all-new Civic, Honda was fixing what ain’t broke.

Apparently though, Honda was merely staying ahead of the race.

The new Civic is wider, taller and longer than the model it replaced. Top-end models get the 1.6-liter, 16-valve motor that’s been made more efficient and silkier by the carmaker’s upgraded VTEC 3 technology, delivering power from low to high engine revs sans the on/off switch characteristic to the old VTEC. The transmission swaps gears more smoothly as well, particularly the automatic. And even the suspension, though reverting to a more conventional strut system, manages to blend a firm yet supple enough ride.

Overall, the new Civic seems better built too, providing that solid feel associated with high-end Euro cars. A mid-line VTi automatic model we drove recently, which had about 20,000 kilometers on the clock already, felt as tight and taut as when we first took it through some mountain twisties near Caliraya Lake almost a year ago. A VTi manual unit we had some months back exhibited the same traits too.

So in most – if not all – respects, the new Civic is better. But is it more beautiful?

The new car didn’t exactly make styling waves upon its introduction. While the basic silhouette was kept by Honda designers, the car had a new look on everything. Its front end is edgier, with sharper headlamps and grills that share a familial resemblance with other Hondas. From the side, the lines are cleaner with a greenhouse that’s BMWesque, especially when viewed three-quarters from the rear. And speaking of which, the rear is what didn’t sit well with most people–the taillights in particular.

But to some, including the younger set–which has (and still do) positively adored the previous Civics, as evidenced in any given school parking lot or a cruise through Libis on a Saturday night–find the current Civic as an appealing car, especially when decked with the right goodies.

Jason Ang, who puts out a website (www.motioncars.com) geared for local car enthusiasts, pointed out that with the right approach and accessories, the Civic can be transformed into a car that will ooohhh even teenagers and twentysomething folks who prefer sportier styling.

"It requires a more subtle approach, unlike the previous model which one could lower, change wheels, slap on body kits, and it would still look good," he said. "The new Civic can still be made to look faster and sportier, but one have to be more careful not to go overboard by making too many modifications on it."

As to what modifications he’d prefer to be done on the car; "I’d go for 16-inch wheels, probably in a six- or seven-spoke design. Also, a body kit consisting of chin extensions for the front and rear bumpers, and side skirts will make the car look sleeker and appear closer to the ground." He added that a rear spoiler won’t look good in the new Civic, "because the taillights wrap upward to the top of the trunk and the spoiler simply wouldn’t look like it belonged there."

Ang also noted that the Civic has grown along with its primary audience of late twenties to early thirties buyers. "I think those who enjoyed the sporty appearance of the previous car will appreciate the more dignified stance of the new car. Teenagers to people in their early twenties might want something more sporty, and dressing up or modifying the car could be the answer to that."

So it has been almost a year since, and the Civic’s styling has indeed grown on people. The car’s conservative–and Ok, mature–lines have turned out to be sophisticated. More important, it managed to provide a clean canvas even for folks seeking a sportier look.