Test drive Honda Civic sedan 2006 - 2008 sedan

Millennium Falcon

That was the name of the ship Gan Solo from Lukasov Star Wars. Almost everyone who saw it on the screen at one time dreamed of sitting down on the helm of the legendary spaceship. Alas, this dream is not destined to come true, however, it is quite realistic to approach it. Sit in the new CIVIC what is not a starship?

If you saw a hatchback, a comparison of a sedan with a spaceship may seem too bold sedan stricter, more traditionally, it is less futuristic and more calm. But remember, Millennium Falcon was also not an example of designer thought, but how harmonious his simplicity was. So the test civic, we honestly admit, the imagination is not amazing, but is it bored or maybe not original enough? Not at all, on our roads, faceless cars are full, and this sedan is clearly not one of them: a light, dynamic body, the smooth lines of which make a car look like an inverted drop. But at the same time, Honda is a classic family sedan with a completely traditional profile, albeit a little more squat and sports, but very similar to the features of most of its competitors.

However, this is outside, and in the design of the interior Civic will definitely give a head start to many of them. Perhaps your correspondent is too subjective, but it seems to me that from within Honda much more interesting and original than most classmates. Its design is so unusual that it seems as if we have before us the prototype of the cabin of the future interplanetary wanderer. A huge front panel like a giant windowsill with a bunk dashboard hanging in the air with a central console, many buttons and switches ... At first it seems that only its creator can understand all this diversity, but this is only an optical deception. With a more detailed study, you are convinced that all this is familiar and in general, the Japanese did not offer us anything supernatural. All the same round steering wheel, on the left of the windows, on the right of the automatic transmission, the radio, the radio and the climate, in front of the eyes of the tachometer scale ... Almost the only element that is noticeably knocked out of the traditional principles of the layout, the digital, by the way, the speedometer located a little higher ... however , you just need to see it at least once.

Although where you manage to see, it always turns out and to feel, while with tactile sensations in Civic not always as smooth as with visual ones. The elements of the finish against the background of the avant-garde interior in places look, say, pale, for example, instead of aluminum, painted plastic is used in some places, the front panel material is slightly tougher than we would like, and the tissue upholstery of the seats in such an interior, in my opinion, is not entirely appropriate. Annoying shortcomings? Perhaps, but it is they who finally lower from heaven to earth. Well, at least these little things do not spoil the general impression.

Such bold stylistic solutions did not affect the ergonomics and comfort of those sitting inside. Ranks of adjustments allow you not to feel constrained either on a driver's seat or in a neighboring passenger. It is quite spacious and behind, which is to a large extent that even a hint of the usual central tunnel contributes to the lack of a hint. Nevertheless, when evaluating the comfort of the second row of seats, it is still worth considering the relatively modest sizes of the C-class sedan with completely moved away front seats there is enough for three compact Japanese. However, to complain about the tightness here, otherwise, an already rather modest 389-liter trunk would decrease to simply indecent sizes. By the way, he suffered not only because of concern for the rear passengers, unlike the hatchback, the sedan received a more advanced and complex rear suspension, which primarily negatively affects precisely on the size of the cargo compartment.

Well, since we are talking about innovation, it’s worth talking about the motor. It was equipped with the latest system for changing the phases of gas distribution and lifting the I-VTEC valves used on the power units of Formula 1. As a result, subject to all environmental standards from 1.8 liters of volume, the Japanese removed 140 hp. With a torque of 174 Nm at 4300 rpm. As a result, the maximum speed is 200 km/h, and acceleration to hundreds of a little more than 9 seconds. In principle, not bad, but only if the motor is not aggregated with the automatic transmission, which, in my opinion, turned out to be rather sluggish. If we take into account the lack of a sectral regime, this tandem seems to be boring and ordinary, while from the Honda motor you always expect a return corresponding to its image.

In general, such an almost Nordic character with space design, in my opinion, somehow does not fit.
That's what there are no complaints about the smoothness and controllability. Movement in a straight line, in a turn, even at high speeds, does not cause special trouble. The car is quite predictable and adequate to the driver's desires. The only thing that announces a little is acoustic discomfort, Civic engine is still noisy.

This is this civic very pretty outside, truly enchanting inside, but with a calm, almost Nordic character. However, the last feature of our compatriots seems to be the least. The lines on the sedan were already stretched for several months, and this is only the beginning, because sales and a futuristic hatchback have already started, which will probably be even more in demand. And the voice of the people is the most objective assessment.

Text: Vladimir Zhidkov
 
 

 

Source: Mkobil magazine [24.07.2006]