Test drive Honda Civic sedan 2000 - 2003 sedan

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A new model, especially if this is a follower of a very popular and mass car, who has dispersed around the world with million circulations, should always be better than its predecessor. Car owners who want to change the vehicle, first of all, will probably pay attention to the successor of their car, unless, of course, they liked it, and only then - to other single -graders. It turns out that to maintain popularity, the manufacturer needs to only improve the model, but sometimes it is extremely difficult to achieve this. According to experts, with the current development of technologies, all the possibilities for the evolution of internal combustion engines, improved aerodynamics and ergonomics of the internal space are almost exhausted. If the predecessor was very good, it is almost impossible to take a significant step forward.

As a result, for several years now we have the opportunity to observe the appearance of the so -called evolutionary models: the previous car is subjected to a thorough revision, everything that is possible is improved - I will even say more - the car is simply created again. But, here is a paradox, in most cases it turns out almost the same model, only a little more perfect. So it was with the fourth generation of VW Golf, and other cars of various classes will also not particularly please lovers of new products.

Against this background, the new Honda Civic, the first copies of which only reached our latitudes, looks much more attractive. Not in the sense of external design, but because the new model can rightfully be called revolutionary. It is revolutionary, since now it is a completely different car. It has everything else - appearance, design, style, body type itself. In fact, one can even say that under an old, familiar name, a completely new type of passenger car appeared, the class belonging of which is very difficult to determine.

It is generally difficult to talk about the new Honda Civic as an ordinary car: from a traditional hatchback, he has only the number of doors and external sizes. Otherwise, the design of the car is a mosaic team that combines elements of various classes. And it was precisely this combination of seemingly incompatible things that led to the fact that in general Civic turned out to be a very outstanding, simply outstanding car, although, of course, not everyone will like such a victory of functionality over everything else. This is especially true for appearance. In my opinion, most of all from car critics, Tsivik will get precisely for her, although there is an opinion that it is for such an outstanding silhouette that many, in turn, will love this car.

Yes, a profile, one might say, disappeared, especially if you recall that the rest of the new items in this class, flaunting about the same body structure, are expressive and outwardly quite traditional. However, to taste and color ... The main thing is that the new Honda Civic, unlike other Japanese Little Straits, has a really outstanding, literally word, and a memorable appearance. Therefore, we leave the question of design open. Moreover, in separate angles, due to the presence of interesting lighting equipment, Civic still looks very attractive.

In front, the car resembles the Honda minivans, and from behind - any hatchback golf class. Although the unconventional structure immediately gives out the height of the car.

In principle, looking at the Civic from behind, it can even be confused with some Scenic, but a person who is at least a little versed in cars will understand that he has a werewolf. It is in this word that I would like to name all the news of automobile companies that depart from traditional patterns. The usual models, as in this situation, are replaced by a car completely unlike the predecessor. However, it is still unknown whether it is better or worse. Perhaps in the next decade, single -volume bodies will become fashionable, since they have things to be fine with functionality. So we will consider the new Civic to the harbinger of the new era.

No less original is the internal structure of the new Civic. Its interior, especially the central console, would rather fit a minivan than a car, but the designers tried to fame: a stylish panel with a negative inclination and a gearbox lever on the tide of a console look very organic. A little unusual, however, that the gear lever is located not on the floor, but on the clarity of the transmission and the convenience of using it, this did not affect it at all. It is very convenient to land in the car - wide doorways and the optimal height of the seats allow you not to stain your legs on the threshold. Yes, and such an almost single -volume layout also contributed - the steering wheel is located a little more horizontally, which is why when you exit it, you do not hurt it with your knees, even in the most extreme position, when the chair is maximally moved forward. By the way, despite the good equipment, the dashboard and the central console were surprisingly clean - no extra levers or buttons, everything is where you expect to see. And most importantly, it is very convenient to use this - an unusual look of a gearbox lever sticking out of a central console, does not interfere with the movement on the machine.

Even the new Civic is good because if necessary can play the role of a limousine. Not in the sense of prestige, but in terms of comfort that passengers are surrounded. The lack of a central tunnel and an extremely comfortable rear seat allow you to very conveniently put your legs. There are plenty of places in the cabin, and in any direction. You can even say that by this indicator the new Civic does not have direct competitors at all, except for some minivan like Renault Scenic or Mazda Premasy. Exactly so, because in any other normal sedan or hatchback, even if the class is higher, there are much less space, especially for the rear passengers.

A indicative example: for some time we drove in the at the rear seat the three of them, and if a person of my complexion so can fit anywhere (work just like this), then two girls tall a ninety meter who were traveling with me were incredibly surprised that even they were even surprised that they even In the salon, such a seemingly not very large car feels freely. If the phenomenal supply of space in the knees can be partially explained not only by the excellent work of ergonomics specialists, but also with an almost single -combed profile of the car, then how the Hondians managed to make the three rear passengers in the golf class do not even come into contact with their shoulders - for their shoulders - for I personally remained a mystery. And let the opponents do not talk about the width of the car - representatives of the seventh BMW series also have a large size from side to side, but it does not smell like this expanse. In general, for me it remains a mystery that in the future cars or even business class will represent in the future, even if in a small Civic designers managed to achieve such a reserve of space.

Talking about the running qualities of Honda cars is an ungrateful thing, because with handling, the case has always been the best way. True, the first specimens that came to Russia, according to Russian publications, had some problems, but I could not find any information on this subject. Yes, and the experimental himself did not force us to doubt this belonging to this, famous for his sports and other achievements, the clan - as smoothly as the new Civic rides, not to drive many, especially in this class. But what is most interesting: we went to the lowest, 1.4-liter version, but to reproach it for weakness is not enough arrogance even at the very notorious rider. According to the manufacturer, acceleration from a place takes 11.8 seconds, but it did not seem little to us, even though there were five people in the car, which is usually quite sensitive to a car of this class. It was also surprised that despite the relatively small weight, Honda Civic was tenacious. It is felt how softly, but at the same time, the suspension works elastously, losing the energy in the depths of its subsoil from every blow on our roads with numerous potholes. And the higher the speed, the stronger the car sticks to the road, instantly, but not too sharply reacting to the slightest steering of the steering wheel, thereby giving rise to the driver and passengers of Civic a sense of reliability and one hundred percent protection.

The strangest thing is that with such immense, by the standards of this class, the salon of the crushing zone is huge - even in the engineering space there is more place. Judging by the gaps between the units and the front Bapmer beam with a sufficiently strong frontal impact, all the devices responsible for the movement of the car will receive minimal damage. After all, we, buyers, are only interested in the price and equipment of the car, and in developed countries where people purchase a new car without much damage to their financial situation, some automobile publications even conduct special tests - calculate how much it will cost to restore single -graders after Non -free blow in front or back, which, according to statistics, are most popular.

This is where the whole truth is revealed. If consumables, somehow brake pads, filters, etc., are relatively expensive, then this does not mean that the car is inferior to classmates in the cost of maintenance. Moreover, the high -quality original spare part of the a priori cannot cost cheaply, but it is precisely on the quality of the details that your iron friend will be reliable in the process of operation. True, on this occasion, Honda owners should not worry, especially if you recall the success of the company on the American market spoiled by tempting offers. Correctly, in my opinion, the Civic model was characterized in one American magazine: Honda Civic is a car that was simply not taught to break. Comments, as they say, are unnecessary ...

Honestly, to determine the potential buyer of the new Honda Civic, for me personally, it turned out to be very problematic. Although the car will probably appeal to those who prefer the agility of the golf class, but at the same time quite often use the same car for long distances. And if for the driver, in principle, it doesn’t care which of the models of cars to go, if only the motor was more powerful, then the passengers, especially if their number is as much as possible, will probably be appreciated by an unusually spacious salon. After all, the only thing you dream about by exchanging a hundred or two kilometers is to change the pose at least a little, namely, from this point of view, the new Civic is convenient. You can even say that it is a very interesting alternative to the now fashionable micro and minivans, in which five people are also accommodated, but they have a much higher center of gravity, which is not very convenient. In general, no matter how paradoxical it sounds, if you need a large car at the same time (inside) and small (outside), then Honda Civic is exactly the vehicle that you have dreamed about for so long.

Subjective opinion:

(+) Space in the cabin, excellent thrust of a 1.4-liter engine, large trunk, wide doorways, high assembly quality.

(-) too miniva silhouette.

Text: Pavel Kozlovsky
 

Source: Autogazet / N 26 (329) dated 08.29.01