Honda Civic Tourer Review – Even more Civic

"carwitter" (carwitter) 04/19/2014 at 14:48 • Filed to: Honda Civic Tourer, Estate

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Honda released the Civic Tourer Concept in March 2013, low and behold it’s now sitting on our driveway!

We loved the 1.6 i-DTEC engine in the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! that we tested last year, so we went for the same power plant once again. The 1.6 litre diesel lump provides 118 BHP and a whopping 300 Nm of torque, to help keep things feeling peppy. 0-60 is dispatched in 10.5 seconds.

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Our test car was in the range topping EX-Plus trim level, the only option being pearlescent paint at £500, bringing the total to £27,960.

So the concept looked stunning, what about the final product?

Well, it has been toned down a little now it has hit production, the back end is less rounded and butch, and that rear arch styling is also less pronounced; which is a shame. But it still looks damn good for an estate!

If you were to put hatch and estate side by side, the estate is only marginally longer - 23.5 cm to be precise - but the sweep of the roofline and the flat rear end really complement the looks, they finish off the whole car rather nicely.

We have said it before, but Honda’s little 1.6 i-DTEC engine is just superb. 118 BHP in a car this size should feel slow, lumbering and lacking. But thanks to the bucket loads of torque this unit develops it feels far more spritely and responsive than it should be.

Plant your right foot and the Tourer picks up pace well, in fact that can be said at any speed.

Its gearbox is slick with a short throw, and the ratios match the engines torque and pace perfectly. Sixth gear is great for cruising, but if you want to overtake you are best to change down.

Under hard acceleration, with the revs climbing it gets quite thrumy toward the red line as the torque dies, but keep it within 2 – 4,000 RPM and you are rewarded with surprising pace.

Now with this being the top of the range, all singing all dancing model we had the luxury of the Adaptive Damper System – this is standard from SR trim up. It has three modes: Dynamic, Normal and Comfort.

On a car of this ilk it’s an unusual but welcome addition, and I’m pleased to say it makes a big difference - especially seeing as the system is only fitted on the rear axle.

The Normal setting isn’t bad. It’s a halfway house between Dynamic and Comfort. You do get some minor body roll in corners and bumps are soaked up well with a thud, followed by some minor cabin discomfort.

Dynamic stiffens the whole car up rather nicely. It dials out that body roll giving a precise, near flat turn in to corners. Under brisk, spirited driving it makes the Tourer a lot sharper, you feel every bump and cats eye through the chassis. Steering input is also heightened.

Comfort makes the ride super slick and smooth. Lumps and bumps are ironed out nicely, with nothing more than a dull thud when you come toe to toe with a pot hole. Body roll becomes massive in the corners, but on longer journeys munching those motorway miles it’s perfect.

Braking is sharp and precise, you get quite a bit of nose dive no matter what setting the suspension is in; but this only happens under more severe braking.

Grip wise the Tourer is easily on par with its Hatchback forbearer, and yes once again I say you !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! (and engine setup) along some twisty B roads.

Over 200 miles of purely town driving we managed 48 MPG which isn’t half bad, however Honda reckon it will do 67.3 in an urban environment…I don’t think so!

Inside the Civic Tourer is smart and well put together. Quality is very good and feels as though it will last a lifetime.

Due to our model being in EX-Plus spec there were no nasty blanking plates, we had switches galore - the keyless entry and start button were welcome additions.

Another range topping feature is the electrically adjustable driver’s seat, not only can you adjust the lumbar but you can also increase the bolster grip. Inflating these supports fully allows you to have a deeply hugging, bucket-esque seat.

The chunky steering wheel is thicker than you would normally find, but feels nice to grip. Unfortunately the nice sensations end there…as the steering does feel rather lifeless and disconnected. Turn in is precise but there is no feeling whatsoever.

You really don’t notice the size of the Civic Tourer until you look behind you to reverse, then you think ‘Christ this is big’. Boot space is superb at 624 litres, push those ‘magic’ folding rear seats completely flat and you will have 1,668 litres.

Rear legroom is decent with an average size driver up front, head room is also very good despite that sweeping roofline.

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Honda have done it once again, the Civic Tourer is superb looker and has practicality by the boot load! If the Civic is too small for you then for an extra £1000 the Tourer will give you hectares more space.

Spec wise EX-Plus has all the toys, but SR is also very well kitted out and comes in at nearly £2k cheaper. We’d opt for that one.

Carwitter Summary:

Civic Tourer – Great looks, superb 1.6 i-DTEC engine, a little pricey, excellent small estate.

Original article and more images can be found HERE at carwitter.com

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© – All text & images Copyright of carwitter.com

dogisbadob > carwitter 04/19/2014 at 14:51

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no sunroof :(

dogisbadob > carwitter 04/19/2014 at 14:52

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DTEC just kicked in yo!

Too bad they don't sell the hatch or wagon over here though :(

jkm7680 > carwitter 04/19/2014 at 14:53

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Dayum, the rear end is ugly.

carwitter > jkm7680 04/19/2014 at 14:57

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Looks rather smart i think!

jkm7680 > carwitter 04/19/2014 at 14:59

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From the straight-on rear angle, it looks as if somebody just stuck the rear strip onto the back of the car without test fitting it or anything. From the other angles it looks slightly less strange.

Yuri Correa > carwitter 04/19/2014 at 16:24

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Too much forehead, looks dumb from that angle.

I don't know how I feel about the whole package, though.

carwitter > dogisbadob 04/19/2014 at 17:13

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How cool would it have looked with an all black glass roof!

duurtlang > jkm7680 04/19/2014 at 18:09

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I agree. I think the rear end is hideous. Especially from the side.

rig_pig > carwitter 04/20/2014 at 01:20

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Nice review. I have to say these are growing on me and are now on my replacement list for my current Countryman SD. Needs a little more power for my tastes though but definitely worth considering. The BTCC cars help the image as well.......

Also, Swindon built?

AlfaAlfa > carwitter 04/20/2014 at 10:00

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27 grand for a Civic? What has the world come to. It does look good, but what a waste of money.

And that interior is a horrifying mess.

carwitter > AlfaAlfa 04/20/2014 at 14:06

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Interior is rather...disjointed? lol

ohh-75 > AlfaAlfa 04/26/2014 at 07:33

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That probably includes the 20% sales tax in the UK (vat). Cars cost much more their than in the us.

stacy flint > carwitter 04/26/2014 at 09:08

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Honda, bring this stateside. Pretty Pretty Please !!!