2019 Honda Civic review, road test

The low stance of the Civic is apparent when you get in and out of it; this could be an issue for some elderly people. However, once you drop down into the driver’s seat, you’ll find yourself instantly connected to the car. The driver-focused environment immediately strikes you with the way everything around you falls to hand. All the controls, like the steering wheel, the pedals and the gear lever, are ideally placed and the seat, with its side bolsters that hold you snugly and the wide base, is extremely comfortable for long drives. This is a cockpit that wraps itself around the driver, making them feel like they’re always in charge.

The instrument cluster is divided into three parts, with a large digital speedo and a semi-circular tachometer above it taking centre stage. On either side are the fuel and temperature gauges with bar-graph graphics that are easy to read. 

While Honda has taken the ergonomics of the Civic’s cabin a couple of notches higher, the dashboard design doesn’t break the mould as the first Civic did. The multi-layered dashboard looks interesting but it’s quite a straightforward design that prioritises practicality.

There’s loads of storage space in the Civic, with generous door pockets, a large glovebox and a multitude of cubby holes. There’s some space in front of the gear lever that’s useful if you want to keep your phone and other knick-knacks, but the USB port behind it isn’t easy to access. The electronic parking brake does away with the need for a handbrake lever, which, in turn, frees up enough space for a massive bin between the front seats.

The Civic’s cabin quality isn’t quite in the same league as its main rival, the Skoda Octavia, but it is well put together and is a huge improvement from what we’ve seen from Honda before. The dashboard top has soft-touch plastics that feel quite rich, but lower down, you will find more hard-wearing materials, which slightly takes away from the premium feel. The switchgear has a wonderfully tactile feel but some of the buttons, like those for the air con controls, are a touch too small. The infotainment screen, though not placed close to eye level, is easy to read, thanks to its sharp and crisp graphics.

Executive sedans are largely chauffeur driven, even if they are something as sporty as this Civic, and hence back-seat comfort is very important. The Civic scores fairly well in this regard, offering a surprisingly generous amount of legroom that’s comparable to its rivals. Where it loses out is in headroom, which could be an issue for tall passengers, and the small rear windows only compound the feeling of being somewhat hemmed in. A bigger issue for those travelling with three passengers at the back is that the Civic’s floor is no longer flat and the central hump in the new cabin, designed to enhance torsional rigidity, won’t be popular with the middle passenger.