1.8 i-VTEC EX 5dr Hatchback

Enormously thirsty but comfortable and almost silent around town

I took over this car in February after swapping it for my 2006 2.2i-CTDi. They are as chalk and cheese but the overwhelming 'feature' of the new car is its enormous thirst for petrol.

In my old car I used to get 48mpg and regularly over 50mpg. In the new one I am struggling to keep mpg up to 35 after a month of long trips and around town. The ECO button and Stop/Start are used as much as possible, with gear changes at about 1500 rpm but the car needs petrol like a junkie's fix. The mpg figures are both from the respective car's computers which I am assuming are relatively accurate.

That aside, the engine is nearly silent around town the seats supportive and comfortable and electronic gadgets are a pleasure to use. I have found the rear wash/wipe to be useless and don't know why Honda pandered to the call for it. I never missed one in the previous Civic and can't the the point in the new car. Similarly with the reversing camera, driving backwards using the mirrors and observation is easier and safer than watching a screen.

This review is sounding overly negative when the car itself isn't at all bad, feeling far more comfortable than many of its rivals – I know because I test drove most of them before returning to the Honda. Luggage space is a little less friendly to use but still huge and I think the front seats are set higher than the previous Civic which for me is a good thing.

I have just had my annual insurance renewed, a very pleasant surprise to find it much lower cost than my old Civic 2.2 and low enough for me to get Aviva's best Gold Comprehensive with European wide RAC and still be £150 better off.

Thirsty engine aside I like the new Civic, I'm reliving the glory days of the V-TEC naturally aspirated engine. While the diesels are at maximum revs around 4000, mine still has another 3,000 to go. The glorious sound of an engine seeming in pain until you look at the rev counter and it hasn't even got to the cam profile change when it gets a pleasing burble to its scream. 

Then there are the gear changes in a slick gearbox to get the best from the engine rather than sticking in 3rd or 4th at roundabouts. The knowledge that no V-TEC has ever failed, nor any worries about dual mass flywheel, DPF, whatever…

It's driving again rather than sitting in a tin can and just going. I am more aware because I have to be. But I want the 2.0L turbo please Mr Honda.

(I just wish it didn't look so darned ugly at the rear.)

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