CIVIC PRIDE
WHY THE NEW HONDA CIVIC WORKS SO WELL FOR YOUNG FAMILIES
MID-SIZED COMFORT
When I first set eyes on the Honda Civic, the grille and headlights seem to be grinning at me. So I grin back!
I maintain the smile as I sit in the driver’s seat. The upholstery is comfortable — I feel supported and cushioned as I settle in for the drive home.
I throw my key into the centre console and notice two cup holders and a space behind them big enough to store a bunch of rubbish (what else ends up in the centre console of a family car?). I love the way the lid slides back and forth to hide any valuables.
I start the car with the press of a button. Keyless ignition always comes in handy when you’re wrangling kids and various bags. I release the electronic park brake with the flick of a finger and head home.
The ride itself is smooth and the engine feels powerful, responding promptly to my right foot pressure.
INTUITIVE DRIVING
On the way home I indicate to the left as I pull out into the traffic. I immediately notice the large, clear camera view of the entire left hand side of the road. This is Honda’s LaneWatch technology, displayed on the seven-inch screen.
The crisp images of what’s on my left are mesmerising. I wish I could sit in the passenger seat and just watch the world whiz by. With the touch of a button I can activate the camera at any time. I’m hooked.
The large digital speedo right in the middle of the instrument panel means I can confidently keep within the speed limit.
Subtle beeps warn me if I get too close to the car in front. The Honda has tech to keep me in my lane by correcting my steering plus braking if I’m headed off the road completely. I’m happy to report I didn’t put those functions to the test.
SMART TECH
In the safety of my driveway before facing peak hour, I sit back, relax and take the time to check out the on-board tech.
Connecting my phone is easy. I only have to set it up once via Bluetooth and the Apple CarPlay recognises my device each time after that. There’s a convenient space to store my phone out of sight in front of the gear selector.
Home again, I get out of the car to head inside and gently push the door. It doesn’t close. I do it once more and realise it needs a good shove otherwise it doesn’t go all the way. The kids soon realise it takes a lot of grunt to close their doors too.
I push the lock button on the keypad and the side mirrors fold in neatly. That’s when I notice the camera on the passenger’s side mirror — love that camera!
I drive the car between school, home and the local shops a few times during the week. Each time I smile as the car unlocks at the touch of the handle.
The rear camera gives me views from three different angles as I reverse into parking spots, with yellow guides to ensure I never mount a pole, the way I did in my bright yellow hatchback in 1999. (Sorry, Dad!)
ON THE WEEKEND
The weekend brings with it a whole new test. I open the boot and am impressed by the large well that could easily hold a few large suitcases or a week’s worth of groceries.
On this occasion, it holds two kids’ golf bags and a handful of adults’ clubs with a whole lot of leftover room.
Out of curiosity, I click the two buttons in the boot. The rear seat backs fold forward. This would be handy when picking up long items from the hardware store. That’s not where we’re headed now so I click the 60-40 split-fold seats back into position and load up the kids.
On the way to the driving range, the kids use my mobile phone to control the audio from the back seat. Heading home, I regain control and introduce them to the best of MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice. The speakers produce enough volume to drown out their complaints down the back while we rap down the motorway.
The Civic sedan is just big enough — for now — for our kids, aged five, nine and 11. If they get any bigger we would need a bigger family car.
It would be a great car for a no-longergrowing family of four or, perhaps, a very handy second car for zipping around in on weekends.