2020 Honda Civic Hatchback evaluation: You possibly can’t go flawed

The Honda Civic is an all-around glorious small automobile, arguably the gold normal in its section. This machine has a thoughtfully designed, high-quality inside, it affords loads of normal tools, together with the Honda Sensing suite of superior driver aids, and its real-world gas financial system is outstanding. Additional broadening its enchantment, this little Honda is obtainable in a variety of physique kinds, from a conventional sedan to a sporty coupe to a five-door hatchback. When you’re out there for a small automobile simply get a Civic and chances are high you will not be disenchanted.

A hatchback-to-basics automobile

This hatchback is obtainable in 5 completely different trims, from the entry-level LX mannequin as much as the Sport Touring variant, which is what I am testing right here. Probably the most primary model Honda affords begins at nearly $23,000, together with $995 in vacation spot charges. Naturally, my evaluation unit is pricier than that, trying out for round $29,905, which continues to be a very affordable sum contemplating all of the tools it comes with.

When it is time to haul a load of products out of your native big-box retailer, this Civic is joyful to oblige. With the rear seats up, it offers 25.7 cubic ft of house. Fold these backrests down and that determine grows to a Costco-worthy 46.2 cubes, a determine that, whereas lots helpful, is barely lower than what you get in both a Hyundai Elantra GT or Volkswagen Golf, each of which provide greater than 50 cubic ft of most quantity.

Different rivals of this Honda embrace five-door variations of the Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla. These rivals have their very own strengths and weaknesses, although I am not afraid to say that each one of them are extra enticing than the Civic. It is not that this Honda hatchback is ugly, it is simply that it is received a number of additional styling, from faux air vents to overly busy-looking bumpers to an oddly deflated roofline to its duet of rear spoilers. It’s, sadly, not a really fairly automobile. 

It is what’s inside that counts

But when you may get previous that wrapper, the Civic’s inside is way extra nice, and arguably top-of-the-line on this section. Entrance and rear, the seats are comfortable and there is loads of room for heads and legs. Even taller of us shouldn’t have any complaints whereas driving on this Honda, although older individuals would possibly run into a bit hassle. The Civic sits fairly low to the bottom, which makes it nearly really feel such as you’re getting up off the ground when alighting. 

The standard of this automobile’s cabin is extraordinarily excessive. In truth, a few of its inside supplies are nicer than what you get in some luxurious automobiles. Bettering its versatility, the Civic’s middle console does extra methods than a magician. The armrest slides fore and aft to higher accommodate completely different individuals, but it surely additionally flips up, revealing a deep, spacious storage bin. Inside this compartment are a number of cup holders in addition to a separate storage tray. A number of of those parts additionally slide. There’s even an extra storage cubby beneath the middle stack do you have to want extra junk-stashing house.

It might be roomy and versatile, however all just isn’t roses inside this Honda. One ingredient I do not look after is the instrument cluster. Like its physique, the Civic’s gauges are unusually robotic, with odd-looking analog meters flanking a mildly reconfigurable middle display screen. The general look is a bit hokey and is unlikely to age very properly.

Techno-illogical

Part of this automobile that is already old-fashioned is the infotainment system. All variations of the Civic hatch, save the entry-level LX mannequin, include a Show Audio system and a 7-inch touchscreen. With unattractive graphics and a difficult consumer interface, it’s not one among my favourite multimedia arrays out there at present. At the very least Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included. Prime-shelf Sport Touring fashions additionally include a premium 12-speaker audio system, which sounds superb, neither terrible nor superb.

Together with its entrance buckets, the rear outboard seats are heated, which is nice, however the lack of any USB ports serving backseat passengers just isn’t. Larger-end variations of this automobile include solely two such retailers, one delivering 1.5 amps’ price of juice, the opposite a measly 1 amp.

One function of notice is the digital parking brake with automated maintain. Taking away a mechanical handbrake frees up house on the middle console. And I’ve received to say, automated brake maintain has change into one among my favourite options. When enabled, a agency push of the pedal whereas stopped will maintain the automobile stationary, so whereas ready at a light-weight you do not have to maintain making use of strain on the brake pedal. It is a welcome comfort function, one which’s nonetheless pretty unusual on this automobile section.

The Honda Sensing security suite is normal tools right here and it is pretty much as good as ever. This contains issues like forward-collision warning, collision-mitigation braking, adaptive cruise management and lane-keeping help. These final two options work extraordinarily properly; in reality, they’re a few of the greatest out there within the business at present. The cruise management with lane centering is especially good, maintaining the automobile locked in the midst of its lane with minimal ping-ponging from one aspect to the opposite. 

Energy and efficiency

All mainline Civic hatchbacks are powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. In Sport and Sport Touring fashions, it delivers a good 180 horsepower and both 177 pound-feet of torque when paired with a six-speed guide transmission or 162 lb-ft when bolted to the out there CVT. Non-Sport variants brandish 174 hp of their under-hood stables.

Pedantic vagaries apart, this powerplant is easy and quiet, even when operating all-out. Regardless of the pint-size displacement (technically 1,498 cc is 3.17 US pints, however I digress), this engine delivers loads of midrange punch, a thick serving of torque proper within the coronary heart of its rev vary. In regular use, the Civic will not go away you wanting for extra efficiency because it feels fairly energetic.

Whereas not fairly as responsive as I would like, this automobile’s constantly variable transmission is easy and helps ship some spectacular gas financial system. So geared up, the Civic Hatchback is rated at 29 miles per gallon within the metropolis and 35 on freeway drives. Mixed, it ought to return 32 mpg, although in blended use I’ve seen simply shy of 35 mpg. It is at all times nice when you possibly can beat the EPA’s estimated scores with out even making an attempt.

This Honda’s journey high quality is about on par for a compact automobile, being neither pillow-soft nor buckboard-stiff. It strikes a pleasant stability between sport and luxury. At pace, nevertheless, this hatchback’s cabin is a bit on the noisy aspect, with unexpectedly noticeable tire and wind ruckus. One other draw back is the design of the C-pillars. They’re chunky, even chonky, and significantly block rearward visibility.

Nonetheless a terrific choice

The 2020 Civic hatchback is nice at nearly every thing. Certain, I would respect an up to date infotainment system, some nicer devices and toned-down styling, however the automobile is so basically strong I can look previous these minor faults. When you’re out there for an environment friendly, versatile and well-equipped automobile however do not wish to go the crossover route, make certain to take a look at this Honda or any of the opposite Civic physique kinds. They will not disappoint.