Honda Civic Sport
FIRST UK DRIVE Hatch offers look for less, and we try it with petrol power
FOR years, manufacturers have been adorning their smaller-engined models with fancy bodykits and bigger wheels to give the impression of power and performance without raised running costs.
So the Honda Civic Sport is nothing new. We first tried it in February last year, just as the current car underwent a mild midlife facelift. The Sport hinted at the then unrevealed Civic Type R, acting as a half-way house between the tame and uninspiring standard models and the firebreathing 306bhp hot hatch (tested on Page 64).
That Sport used a 1.6-litre diesel engine, and is still available today. Now, though, UK bosses have fitted a more modest 1.4-litre petrol unit, bringing savings on list price and running costs – thanks to attractive group five insurance and 51.4mpg fuel economy.
That’ll be a big pull for younger drivers, many of whom prioritise style and running costs above performance or handling. It’s also available with some seriously attractive zero per cent finance offers. In fact, with a £4,000 deposit, you can have one on your drive for only £182 per month.
Standard kit is good, with all Sport models getting a seven-inch touchscreen, DAB radio and Honda’s Connect infotainment system. The gloss black 17-inch wheels are also included, as are parking sensors and a reversing camera. The only option on our car was the Brilliant Sporty Blue metallic paint, at £525.
So it ticks the boxes for style and equipment, but what’s it like to drive? With tough competition from more modern rivals, the Civic remains an underdog when it comes to performance and handling.
The steering is better weighted than it is in a CR-V, but it doesn’t offer an enormous amount of feedback. Body roll isn’t too much of an issue, either, while the ride is acceptable given the Sport’s bigger wheels.
But getting up to speed requires patience. Most small-capacity petrol engines come bolted with a turbocharger, so the Honda’s naturally aspirated 1.4 feels sluggish in comparison. Overtaking manoeuvres take careful planning, while pulling away from junctions can be a laborious affair.
Despite having six gears, it’s not all that refined at high speed, either; there’s a noticeable drone from the engine at 70mph. Cabin quality is good, but falls short of models like the Vauxhall Astra or Renault Mégane.