Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Honda Civic Tourer estate (2014-2017)

"The Honda Civic Tourer isn't the cheapest small estate car but it has a huge boot and an economical diesel engine."

Carbuyer Rating

4.0 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.5 out of 5

Read owner reviews

Pros

  • Decent standard equipment
  • Efficient diesel engine
  • Massive boot

Cons

  • Expensive list prices
  • Thirsty petrol engine
  • No automatic diesel

Honda never actually intended to produce an estate version of the current Civic hatchback, but demand for compact estate cars led to the development of the Honda Civic Tourer. The Japanese manufacturer has managed to produce a spacious car with a bigger boot than nearly all of its rivals – including the Skoda Octavia, Volkswagen Golf and SEAT Leon ST estate cars.

There's a choice of just two engines, with the diesel the stronger and more economical option. The Tourer is comfortable and reliable and comes with plenty of equipment as standard. Its only real weaknesses are the slow petrol engine, a dated interior and a slightly too-high price tag.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Honda had to heavily re-engineer the hatchback version of the Civic in order for the Tourer to offer more space than you’ll find in a Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Insignia or Volkswagen Golf estate, but the design is effective and relatively good-looking considering the practicality on offer.

The car’s 624-litre boot capacity has since been surpassed by the latest Peugeot 308 SW, but the Civic Tourer remains a very competent family estate car. The Civic range was given a light facelift in 2015, too, with changes to the headlights, grille and bumpers.

All versions come relatively well equipped, but top-spec models benefit from an adaptive rear damping system that makes the Civic Tourer more comfortable and adjusts the handling when you’re carrying a heavy load in the back. A ‘Navi’ pack is available on the more basic S and SE Plus trims, and it’s worth the £600 extra if you can afford it.

Of the four main trim levels, SE Plus represents the best value, as it includes plenty of standard equipment even if you don’t get all the luxuries that thrown in with the SR and EX Plus. We’d go for the Civic Tourer in SE Plus trim with the diesel engine, as it makes most sense in terms of efficiency and performance.

Before you buy, it’s worth remembering that the Civic Tourer is more expensive than most other cars in this class – including both the Skoda Octavia and VW Golf estates. Cars like the SEAT Leon ST don’t offer quite as much space, but can be up to £3,000 cheaper than the Civic depending on which model you buy. It’s well worth considering the pros and cons of these cars before you settle on the Honda.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
15 Mar 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers

Porsche Panamera review – a tech-packed sports saloon
2024 Porsche Panamera front quarter dynamic
In-depth reviews
13 Mar 2024

Porsche Panamera review – a tech-packed sports saloon

Skoda Superb Estate review – a near-faultless, practical family car
Skoda Superb Estate Carbuyer drive
In-depth reviews
15 Mar 2024

Skoda Superb Estate review – a near-faultless, practical family car

More on Civic Tourer estate

New Honda Civic: prices, specs & release date
30 Mar 2017

New Honda Civic: prices, specs & release date

All-new Honda Civic priced between SEAT Leon and Audi A3 rivals; features bold styling & turbocharged engines
Honda to increase prices across the range
News
30 Nov 2015

Honda to increase prices across the range

Prices for every Honda are set to rise between now and early January
New Honda Civic and Civic Tourer prices announced
News
26 Feb 2015

New Honda Civic and Civic Tourer prices announced

New Civic arrives in the UK in March, costing from £15,975
Skip advert
Advertisement
167mph new Honda Civic Type-R - pictures
News
11 Feb 2015

167mph new Honda Civic Type-R - pictures

More details and pictures have been revealed about the 2015 Honda Civic Type-R hot hatch
Honda Civic Tourer star of new ad campaign
News
3 Feb 2014

Honda Civic Tourer star of new ad campaign

New 'Inner Beauty' TV campaign to promote Honda Civic estate model

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
19 Dec 2023

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide
Public EV charge point
Tips and advice
11 Jan 2023

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
12 Apr 2023

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
The best electric cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024