2021 HONDA CIVIC - $22,245. - $28,100.
T
he unpretentious Honda Civic has flourished into a desirable and fun-to-drive car. Available as either a sedan or a convenient hatchback, the Civic is powered by your choice of a 158-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder or a turbocharged 1.5-liter that makes up to 180 horsepower. The Honda Civic is loaded with plenty of standard driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. Infotainment features in the base LX model comes with a tiny touchscreen that offers radio tuning. The Civic is a compact car that should satisfy most women who drive. The Honda Civic Sport hatchback is spacious and comes with a slightly more powerful, 180-hp version of the turbocharged four-cylinder engine that is optional on those models. Going with the Sport over the base LX also unlocks a load of equipment, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, an eight-speaker stereo system, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, push-button start, fog lamps, and a rear-seat fold-down armrest. The Civics’ four-cylinder engines are energetic, vibrant, and peppy all at the same time. It’s pricier and more powerful—turbocharged version earns our thumbs up. It's a terrific engine that we found readily pulled our Civic Touring test car away from stoplights. While we prefer the light and crisp action of the six-speed manual to the optional continuously variable automatic transmission, the CVT is by no means a weak companion—in fact, it's one of the best on the market. A true jack-of-all-trades, the Civic strikes a great balance between comfort and driver commitment. Its smooth ride, reactive steering, and athletic driving dynamics make it a joy to drive. Neither soft nor hard, the Civics’ ride quality is just right. Quick, well weighted, and surprisingly agile steering makes the Civic enjoyable. Those looking for even sportier vibes should consider the Sport versions, which feature quicker steering. The brakes possess a firm brake pedal with good feel and decent stopping prowess. Honda proves that power and fuel efficiency need not be mutually exclusive. Both of the Civic four-cylinders sip fuel as lightly but, interestingly, the more powerful turbocharged engine manages to return slightly better fuel economy than the base 2.0-liter found in lower-level Civic sedans. Practical and modern in appearance, the Civic's interior offers sufficient storage space. The entry-level model is spacious and accommodating. While it doesn't offer the biggest comfort-and-convenience equipment we have to remember that it is a compact vehicle reserved for those that desire a compact car. And it has enough of the good stuff for any small-car shopper. The interior of both the sedan and hatchback is roomy. The Civic has a number of cleverly designed storage cubbies throughout its cabin, and the sedan's trunk is one of the biggest in the class. If you need even more cargo-carrying capability you should check out the hatchback model.
12 – globalonemag.com
