2017 Honda Civic VTi-S Sedan REVIEW | New Small Car Has Got Its Mojo Back
Middle model grades of small cars such as the 2017 Honda Civic VTi-S might sometimes be squeezed into a bittersweet position.
This $24,490 (plus on-road costs) VTi-S could find itself in the Goldilocks zone – not too little of something, not too much of everything. Or, with an $1100-cheaper VTi grade using the same 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine, and a $3300-dearer VTi-L grade boasting 1.5-litre turbocharged power, it could wipe out on value and performance.
These days Civics all feature a continuously-variable transmission (CVT) so there is no need to add to the price if a more popular automatic is on the shopping list. It also gives the VTi-S a head-start on price compared with manual rivals.
And that right there is the kick-off point for our test.
Vehicle Style: Small sedan
Price: $24,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine/trans: 104kW/174Nm 1.8 four-cylinder petrol | automatic CVT
Fuel Economy Claimed: 6.4 l/100km | Tested: 7.9 l/100km
OVERVIEW
The Civic VTi-S costs virtually the same as the Ford Focus Trend ($24,390 plus orc) and slightly lower than the Mazda3 Maxx ($24,890 plus orc) and Toyota Corolla SX ($25,240 plus orc).
Honda follows all such rivals with 16-inch alloy wheels, foglights and rear parking sensors, but its front sensors are only matched by the Toyota and the LaneWatch side camera is smarter than a blind-spot warning light, which only the Mazda offers.