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The RS badge carries a weight of expectation about it. Can the Honda Civic RS live up to it?
WHAT IS IT? It’s the 10th generation of Honda’s small city car, arriving here initially as a sedan and ahead of an all-new hatchback’s arrival next year.
WHY WE’RE DRIVING IT This is an important model for the Japanese carmaker. It’s a ground-up reinvention of the traditionally strong-selling model, and exposes us to our first taste of Honda’s “Earth Dreams” technology – the name it gives to its latest-generation drivelines.
MAIN RIVALS Mazda 3, Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, Nissan Pulsar, Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback, Holden Cruze
PLUS: Composed ride and handling; spacious; good comfort behind the wheel MINUS: Price a bit high compared with rivals; engine can get a bit vocal high in the range
THE WHEELS REVIEW THINK ‘RS’ and a ballistic Ford hatch may come to mind, or a winged Porsche 911. Not so here: this 2016 Honda Civic is the most important car for a decade from the Japanese maker, and in this case the two famed letters apply to the niche in the line-up formerly known as the Civic Sport.
The Civic sedan has arrived ahead of next year’s hatch, and everything about this car is new: from the platform, engine and transmission to the lightweight body. It’s the first ground-up new car from the maker in the wake of the 2008-09 global financial crisis, and comes with an unprecedented five-year investment after Honda Japan admitted the last Civic missed the mark.
It’s bigger, too: 104mm longer to stretch 4644m; 44mm wider at 1755mm; but it sits 19mm lower. The wheelbase is stretched 30mm to 2700mm – longer than the original Accord Euro – for 55mm extra rear legroom, where there’s genuine space for three adults, and a huge 517 litre boot. This is a truly mid-size car, far from the demure city-centric 1972 original.
That means more space up front, too, in an interior that easily eclipses the current car’s. There’s an excellent driving position, with loads of (electric) adjustment for the supportive, well-bolstered driver’s seat with rake and reach for the steering column as well. The A-pillars are angled for maximum visibility.
The RS comes with one of two engines. A carryover 1.8-litre four powers entry-level Civics, but an all-alloy, direct injection 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder mated exclusively to a new CVT powers RS and higher-spec models. It’s the first complete ‘Earth Dreams’ drivetrain. On paper, it stacks up: 127kW is one of the most potent in this class, 13kW more than its predecessor. Better is that fact that it uses 1.5L/100km less fuel, at an official 6.0L/100km.
On the road, it proves a winning combination, pulling strongly with 220Nm of torque from 1750rpm right through to 5500rpm. The CVT has stepped ‘gears’, accessed by steering-wheel mounted paddle-shifters. It’s smooth and doesn’t loiter at high revs like many CVTs, behaving more like a conventional automatic.
The throttle’s easily modulated, and there’s plenty of power for overtaking, but high in the rev range this engine is a little vocal. That would be acceptable, but the boisterous note lacks the character or verve typical of heyday Hondas. It’s a minor criticism of an otherwise polished driveline.
Adding to that is the high level of refinement. With no rattles or squeaks from the tight cabin, you’ll find yourself meandering higher up the speedo.
Honda has indeed found its mojo. To some the new Civic RS may not not perfect – the looks can be a bit polarising, the engine could have more charm and its price isn’t as sharp as some rivals – but it’s a seriously accomplished, convincing sedan. It has an exceptional ride, superbly tuned chassis and is a ball to drive quickly, while offering a practical and spacious package.
The new Civic RS is a convincing return to form for Honda.
SPECS Model: 2016 Honda Civic RS sedan Engine: 1498cc 4cyl, dohc, 16v, turbo Power: 127kW@5500rpm Torque: 220Nm@1700-5500rpm Transmission: CVT automatic Weight: 1331kg 0-100km/h: 8.0sec (estimated) Fuel economy: 6.0L/100km Price: $31,790 On sale: June
