Honda Civic 11th Generation: First Drive in Madrid

Originally introduced in 1972 and now in its 11th generation, the Honda Civic is one of the true heavy hitters in the C-segment. That is precisely why the arrival of this 11th-generation model comes with such high expectations.

In fact, for this generation the Honda Civic is offered in Europe exclusively with the e:HEV hybrid powertrain (the only exception will be the uncompromising Civic Type R), dropping the petrol-only and Diesel versions that were available with the 10th generation.

So, after having seen its styling and technical details a few months ago, we travelled to Madrid to view it in the metal and, above all, to put it to the test-trying to answer two straightforward questions: is the new Civic worthy of its predecessors and, more importantly, of its rivals?

Restraint takes centre stage

A quick glance at the new Civic’s shape is enough to confirm that, in this 11th generation, Honda has moved away from the 10th generation’s visual aggression in favour of lines that are more restrained, more elegant and… more broadly appealing.

Personally, I prefer the look of this new generation and, especially in person, the Japanese compact comes across more like a five-door coupé than a traditional hatchback.

The bigger leap, however, is inside. Where the previous Civic could feel a little visually chaotic, this one presents a cleaner, smarter cabin and-dare I say it-one that is closer to what we typically associate with premium offerings, not unlike the approach taken by the Mazda3.

Ergonomics have improved markedly, as has the infotainment screen’s graphics, although the display itself is slightly on the small side (it measures 9”).

As for solidity and material quality, the Civic remains very much true to the “Japanese school”. During this first drive I didn’t encounter any squeaks or rattles, and both the feel of the materials and the general tactility of the controls (an area Honda says it focused on specifically) came across very positively.

In fact, on this front I’d even argue the new Honda Civic is a step ahead of models such as the Volkswagen Golf or Hyundai i30, with the Mazda3 standing out as its main challenger in this area.

More spacious, but not by much

Built on an evolved version of its predecessor’s platform, the new Honda Civic has gained 35 mm in wheelbase.

While that increase is almost unnoticeable for passengers in the rear seats, there is still more than enough legroom.

Finally, the sloping roofline does make rear access more awkward and-because the new 72-cell lithium-ion battery forces the rear seats into a higher position-it also doesn’t help headroom for those sitting in the back.

When it comes to the boot, capacity has fallen to 410 l versus the 478 l of its predecessor-still a figure that sits within the segment average.

A familiar system

As mentioned, this new-generation Honda Civic comes with a hybrid system. Its operation mirrors other Honda offerings, such as the new HR-V or the Jazz.

On the combustion side there is a naturally aspirated 2,0 l petrol engine, designed to run on the more efficient Atkinson cycle.

This engine works primarily as a generator and is paired with two electric motors, one of which drives the front axle through a fixed-ratio transmission (there is no gearbox, as with most fully electric cars). Honda promises this set-up will feel notably more pleasant than traditional CVTs.

Thanks to this configuration, Honda claims averages of just 4,6 l/100 km and a 0 to 100 km/h time of only 7,8s.

Behind the wheel, the tradition continues

At first glance, switching to a hybrid powertrain might lead the less attentive to assume the Civic’s focus has shifted towards comfort. However, during this initial drive I was able to confirm that the dynamic strengths so widely praised in the 10th generation remain very much present in the 11th.

The steering is still accurate, direct and nicely weighted, while the suspension now strikes a better balance between comfort and handling. Driven gently it feels less harsh and better able to iron out imperfections; push on and the strong Civic chassis rewards you with impressive control of body movements.

On the twisty mountain roads around Madrid, it became clear that the Honda Civic remains one of the most entertaining cars to drive in the segment, setting itself apart from more “sober” alternatives such as the Volkswagen Golf. Interestingly, it once again positions itself as an option alongside cars like the Mazda3.

Best of all, on the long straight roads across the Madrid plains the Civic proved to be a natural long-distance cruiser-helped considerably by the hybrid system. With normal driving split between motorway and main roads, I easily achieved 4,8 l/100 km. When I leaned into the Civic’s “dynamic streak”, consumption still didn’t climb beyond 5,5 to 6 l/100 km-Diesel-like figures!

Still on the hybrid system, performance doesn’t disappoint, allowing the Civic to get on with things with pleasing ease. In total there are four driving modes - Normal, Sport, Eco and Individual.

It’s in “Sport” that the Civic’s dynamic character comes through most clearly, with sharper throttle response helping you access everything the hybrid system can deliver. That said, it’s also in this mode that the hybrid feels least refined, as the engine is often heard too much when accelerating hard.

To counter this, Honda has introduced a gearshift “simulator”, designed to mimic the behaviour of a conventional transmission. Finally, regarding the modes, it’s worth highlighting “Eco” which-unlike what sometimes happens-doesn’t overly blunt the hybrid system’s response, prioritising economy without completely sacrificing performance.

When will it arrive?

With a significant step up in technology, safety systems and driver assistance (which you can read about here), the new Honda Civic is expected to reach the UK market in the last quarter of 2022.

Although Honda has not announced UK pricing, the Japanese brand has already confirmed that the new Civic will be sold in two trims - Advance and Sport - both notably well equipped, as we were able to verify during this first contact.

As for the much-anticipated Honda Civic Type R, we brought back no new information from Madrid. So, for now, all that remains is to revisit our test of the current generation of the Japanese hot hatch.

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