2010 Honda Civic Range Updated, Curtain Airbags Now Standard

HONDA HAS EXPANDED the range of standard safety equipment on its Civic small car line-up, making curtain airbags factory-issue for all 2010 Civic models - including the base-spec VTi.

This is in addition to stability control which has been fitted as standard across the Civic range since February of this year. All Civic variants also feature ABS, EBD, active front headrests and front and side airbags for the front seats.

Two new colours (Habanero Red and Dyno Blue) have been added to the Civic's colour palette, and the mid-spec VTi-L receives new 10-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels for 2010. Those minor enhancements aside, the 2010 Civic is virtually the same as the MY2009 model.

The VTi and VTi-L are powered by a 1.8 litre four-cylinder petrol engine with 103kW and 174Nm, while the Civic Sport gets a 2.0 litre motor with 114kW and 188Nm.

Average fuel economy for the former stands at 6.9l/100km while the Sport consumes 8.3l/100km, however buyers looking for a true fuel-sipper can have the Civic Hybrid, whose 1.3 litre petrol engine and electric motor use just 4.6l/100km on the combined cycle.

The VTi, VTi-L and Sport are available with either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic, while the Hybrid only comes with a CVT gearbox.

Standard equipment on the base VTi includes the aforementioned safety gear, along with cruise control, airconditioning, remote central locking and a single CD player with AM/FM tuner and auxillary input. The VTi is fitted with 15-inch steel wheels and comes with a full-size spare.

The VTi-L takes the basic model's equipment and adds climate control, a six-disc CD stacker, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, a 60/40 split-fold rear seat and 10-spoke 16-inch alloys. The Sport gains 17-inch alloys, a sunroof, foglights, leather upholstery, electric power steering and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Prices are largely the same as the MY2009 Civics, however the Hybrid has dropped in price by $1500. Pricing starts at $22,990 for the Civic VTi manual, with the VTi-L manual and Civic Sport manual retailing for  $26,690 and $31,990 respectively.

The five-speed auto adds $2300 to the list price, while the Hybrid costs $34,490.