2017 Honda Civic Hatch First Drive Review | Maximum Attitude On The Outside, Sensible Engineering Underneath
Australian new car buyers love a small hatch. And while sedans sell well in the segment they just can’t match five-door sales which is why Honda Australia must be over the moon that it now has a Civic hatch to sell alongside the sedan that arrived almost 12 months ago.
But Australia’s fast-moving market has changed since the sedan arrived and although Honda checks all the boxes for smartphone connectivity and infotainment flexibility many of its competitors have moved to make safety systems like autonomous emergency braking standard, or at least an affordable option.
For Honda that isn’t the case, with only the flagship model sporting advanced driver aids. However, with more space than ever before, an available turbocharged engine, and a distinctly-styled appearance, the Civic hatch is sure to appeal to new car shoppers once again.
Vehicle Style: Small hatch
Price: $22,390-33,590 plus on-road costs
Engine/trans: 104kW/174Nm 1.8 4cyl petrol, 127kW/205Nm 1.5 4cyl turbo petrol | CVT automatic
Fuel Economy Claimed: 6.4 l/100km (1.8) 6.1 l/100km (1.5 Turbo)
OVERVIEW
With a five-model range that mirrors that of the four-door the new Civic hatch offers the VTi and VTi-S, both powered by a carry-over naturally aspirated 1.8 litre four cylinder engine as the entry points to its range, with pricing starting from $22,390 plus on road costs.
The next three models, VTi-L, RS, and VTi-LX are powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder for a little extra performance and better economy and span a more middle of the road, sporty, and luxurious model range respectively. Pricing for turbo models kicks off from $27,790.