Honda Civic review - Interior & comfort

The suspension in the Honda Civic is on the firm side, but the car manages to stay pretty smooth over bumpy roads and potholes, so it’s relaxing to drive. That was true in the previous-generation Civic as well, but that car suffered from a slightly disappointing interior. Thankfully, that’s been rectified in this new model and the interior is excellent. Versions with 18-inch alloy wheels and wide tyres do suffer from significant road noise, however.

Honda Civic dashboard

The materials inside are better than before, as is the infotainment set-up, but it’s the design that shines most. It has simple, horizontal lines with wide air vents and classy-looking switchgear. There are physical controls for the air-con and other much-needed functions, so it’s easier to use than the touch-sensitive controls in the latest Volkswagen Golf. Subjectively, we prefer the style of it too.

The infotainment screen is a nine-inch unit and it has a fairly simple menu layout, plus there’s the normal Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone functions. It’s not the best in class though: it can be slow to load, its graphics aren’t the slickest and the screen is slightly angled away from the driver – possibly because it was designed primarily for left-hand drive markets.

We really like the air-con controls as they’re satisfying and easy to use, with a reassuring click. There are digital instruments as well. It’s a 10.2-inch unit and while we wish it was as configurable as some rival systems, it does the job. Top-spec cars get this larger screen, and lower-spec models have a seven-inch display instead.

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Equipment

The Honda Civic is offered in Elegance, Sport and Advance trims. All are fairly well equipped, with Elegance getting climate control, keyless entry and start, front and rear parking sensors, heated seats, a rear-view camera and adaptive cruise control, as well as the nine-inch infotainment screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Sport trim adds a wireless charging pad for your smartphone, plus black exterior trim for a sportier look. 

Advance gets an upgraded premium Bose sound system with 12 speakers, adaptive beam headlights which automatically adjust to avoid dazzling other drivers, a panoramic sunroof, and a heated leather steering wheel. Surprisingly the 10.2-inch digital driver’s display is only offered on this top-spec model, while it’s a fairly common piece of kit on almost all other cars these days.

Options

There are very few options available for the Honda Civic, with the brand preferring buyers to opt for one of the aforementioned trims. You can specify different styling packs, such as a Carbon Style Pack that adds some carbon fibre-style adornments such as a ducktail rear spoiler and bumper trim. There’s also a sports pack with another spoiler and side, a Nordic Silver one with chrome trim pieces, one with titanium-look trim and one that gives your Civic’s badges an all-black finish. These are all quite pricey, though, so if you’re considering adding these to the entry-level Elegance car your money would better serve you jumping up to Sport.