Though crossover SUVs are dominating the automotive market, compact sedans still account for a significant chunk of the pie. One such compact car that is always at the top of any shopping list is the 2024 Honda Civic.
Performance
Engine – The 2024 Civic is available with two engines. The lower trims receive a 2.0L naturally aspirated 4-cylinder with just under 158 hp while this top Touring trim (along with the EX trim in USA) receives a turbocharged 1.5L engine. It produces 180 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque (134 kW & 240 Nm). The peak power figure is pretty high up in the rpm range at 6,000 rpms but in city driving situations, it’s the torque that matters more. The peak torque figure is reached at a very low 1,700 rpms and is sustained to 4,500 rpms. This means that the engine doesn’t need to rev all that much when taking off from a stop which in turn is good for fuel economy.
Fuel Economy – The 2024 Honda Civic is rated for 7.6 L/100km (30.9 MPG) in a city and 6.1 L/100km (38.5 MPG) on a highway with this 1.5L turbocharged engine. Best of all, this turbo engine does not require premium fuel. During my time with the 2024 Civic, I averaged 6.9 L/100km (34 MPG).
Transmission – Yes, it is a CVT but it’s not that bad. This version of the Civic is not the sporty trim so having a CVT is perfectly acceptable for a city / highway car. In normal driving situations, it doesn’t try to replicate virtual gears and instead it tries to keep the engine’s rpms as low as possible for improved fuel economy. It’s only when you put your foot all the way down does it try to emulate an automatic transmission with gears.
Braking – The brake pedal is a bit more sensitive in this Honda Civic than I was expecting. It’ll take a bit more getting used to for those that have a heavy foot but the pedal modulation is good for smooth stops.
Handling – The handling dynamics of this latest generation Civic have been slightly tweaked compared to the last. It feels more “mature” when it goes around corners. The steering response is sharp and fairly communicative for the type of car that it is. It’s also nicely weighted so that it doesn’t feel too light or overly assisted. Sure, the tires squeal in agony if you drive it like a hoonigan around a corner but it feels sporty enough with a hint of “maturity” that trickled down from its big brother; the Accord. If you want the best handling compact car, the Mazda 3 is still king.
Comfort
Ride Comfort – The suspension is more compliant over bumps than the previous generation of the Civic. Shunts from potholes don’t get translated through the suspension and into the cabin as much.
The seats have also been revised from the previous generation Civic. They are a bit softer and provide a bit more support for your entire body thus reducing stress over longer drives. However, there is no lumbar adjustment.
Interior Space – This is by far the biggest version of the Civic yet. This is most evident in the back seats. Sitting behind my 6’4” tall driving position, I fit with ease. My knees gently brush up against the back of the front seat but they don’t feel squished like how they do in the Mazda 3 Sport. There is also a deep indentation in the roof for a generous amount of headroom. In the front seats, legroom and headroom are plentiful.
In the trunk, the 2024 Honda Civic Touring has 408 L (14.4 cu-ft) of cargo volume with more available by folding down the rear seats. Under the floor you’ll find the spare wheel along with tools to change the wheel.
Noise, Vibration, & Harshness – Sound insulation has been drastically improved in this new Civic over the old one. Engine, wind, and tire noises barely intrude into the cabin when driving around city streets. Road noise is a bit more prevalent on highways and is still the Achilles heel of the Civic when it comes to interior comfort.
Odds and Ends
Pricing – The 2024 Honda Civic is good to drive, spacious, and easy to live with. However, there is a price to pay for all that. It starts at $26,790 CAD ($23,950 USD) for the LX-B trim and this top Touring trim will cost you $34,500 CAD ($30,550 USD). All other compact cars in this segment have starting prices which are lower than that of this 2024 Civic.
Gadgets – But for all that money, you are getting a very well equipped vehicle. It has leather, heated seats all round, heated steering wheel, sunroof, wireless phone charging along with wireless CarPlay & Android Auto, a full digital driver display, a 9-inch touchscreen (with a volume knob), adaptive cruise control, blind spot sensors, lane centering system, and automatic emergency braking among other features. Some of these features differ between the Canadian and American market.
Interior Design – The fit and finish of the new interior is miles ahead of the previous generation. It retains a lot of physical buttons and they have a premium quality to them. You can easily take them out of this Civic and put them in a Mercedes-Benz. The real metal mesh grille across the dashboard covers the air vents but the air vent prongs feel a bit on the flimsy side. It feels as if you could break them with one strong tug of the prong. But otherwise, the interior fit and finish as well as the materials are top notch.
Exterior Design – To my eyes, the exterior doesn’t look as exciting as the previous generation. I’d even go so far as to say it’s a bit bland. The previous Civic had interesting lines and shapes in the exterior design. The new Civic has smooth curves – which are not bad – but it looks like it’ll blend in with other cars in a parking lot. I understand that this new Civic is a global car so every country gets the same looking vehicle and thus it has to appeal to a much broader audience. But the design is a bit too far on the conservative scale.
Warranty – The 2024 Honda Civic Touring is covered by a 3 year / 60,000 km new vehicle and 5 year / 100,000 km powertrain warranty. For more information on Canadian warranty, click here. For information on USA warranty, click here.
Conclusion – As an overall package, the new 2024 Honda Civic is just about perfect. It offers more space, a better interior, the latest gadgets, and is more enjoyable to drive. Its major downfall is that it is significantly more expensive than its closest competitors.
Thank you to Honda Canada for providing the vehicle. www.Honda.ca
2024 Honda Civic Touring Gallery
