2019 Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC EX Auto 10th gen review and test drive

Just a bit of fun driving the latest Civic for the first time and my thoughts on it

[@MuhammadKhan-yl7mt]

I have 1.0 turbo automatic and it leaves big brands far away at the traffic lights. WoW, what will 1.6 do, just imagine. Love it Honda.

[@Finggy]

What's the mpg like on the 1.0 litre

[@MuhammadKhan-yl7mt]

@@Finggy with heavy foot, around 39mpg. I would suggest go for 1.6 diesel, because more power and better fuel approx 49mph (heavy foot)

[@Finggy]

@@MuhammadKhan-yl7mt nice one brother, I wana get one to do Uber with, will look for a diesel.

[@richiebtime489]

Really good review. I bought a nearly new civic 10th gen from a Honda dealer with a big discount. I was looking for a car with good ride / handling compromise, this doesn't disappoint. Absolutely barrells through bends and soaks up bumps well. Some gripes like you say but a new car with latest tech with good value.

[@tommyzoo]

Well done. As with most Hondas it will be appreciated more as time goes on ! The motoring press always hail their personal favourites and generally ignore what real ownership means to buyers

[@richiebtime489]

@@tommyzoo Yes, it's funny with car buying as I watch KZbin (obviously!) and read the reviews. What caught my eye with the Civic was the Type R and how the chasis was praised, as you mention. I was looking to replace my Audi A3 TDI which was economical but a blunt instrument in terms of driving. Looked at Golfs but I didn't feel that they were great value used. Went to drive a new Focus but dealer wanted me to jump through hoops to do so (credit cards, bills, etc) and so went to a Honda dealer and was such a nice experience and the price to change was very good, the deal made itself. I think you have to make your own mind up with cars as the motoring press make it like this is the right car to buy where as X is the wrong car. Things like good warranty, reliability, good service are important to private buyer. What I've also found with the 1 litre I have (I know it's sounds vaguely ridiculous when you say it) is that you drive it like a diesel on the torque, don't rev it because it's not sporty. There is a heavy flywheel effect and rev hang - best take time with gear changes. The engine is very quiet at cruising speeds and economical enough, although tank is quite small. I've had hot hatches and saloons that don't handle as well as this. As you pointed out there is a connection to front and rear suspension that is sophisticated and feels like a bigger car. Overall, a good purchase and your review reinforces this.....I agree with the points you made.

[@PaulThomasPTSounds]

Positive review. I would like to buy a 1.0 litre version however concerned about the wet belt problems? Could you give any advice please

[@tommyzoo]

@@PaulThomasPTSounds simply don’t buy a 1.0 ! The only bad engine Honda has built in a long time .. I won’t touch them and i love Honda

[@PaulThomasPTSounds]

@@tommyzoo thanks for your advice yes I hear they aren't too good

[@itsallrobbish]

Good review, I’m just about to take delivery of the last version of the idtec 1.6. On a 17 plate. I hope it’s as good as you say. I’m looking forward to the economy, but slightly hesitant about diesel, but I’ve heard they are good. I have a 2007 Honda Accord 2.0 se petrol, which is so beautifully built. You’d never guess it was nearly 14 years old with 145000miles on the clock. Just hoping the Civic impresses me just as well.

[@tommyzoo]

you will love it I am sure. The diesel is a brilliant engine and its running costs are rediculously low ! Clearly you will know it is a diesel at low revs and in the first couple of gears but it smooths out and is quiet on the run.

[@TX2673XA]

I hawe the 9 gen Civic. It is a big deal that on the new one do not hawe the second level dash 😭 it is so superb and i enjoy , and it is something else not like other brands. I hope they make again double dash. Thx for video , gj 👍👍👍

[@tommyzoo]

Real shame the two tier dash went. The separate speedo was a much better and safer design. The new dash is very nice to use but you could be in any car unlike the last gen civics

[@itsallrobbish]

Just about to pick my 9th gen 1.6 dtec up this week, hopefully I’ll like it as much as my Accord. I imagine I’ll sit higher than in the Accord. The 10th gen Civic looks more like the Accord, dimensions wise.

[@quietenglishman4179]

I love the double dash as well. It's easily the best I've ever used. Also, I don't think the latest Civics have the magic rear seats which tip up or fold completely flat down into the floor.

[@faizanm1993]

How is the infotainment system? Im looking to purchase this spec and I'm hoping it's not laggy

[@tommyzoo]

I found it fine but I’m about as up to date as an abacus.. Some reports say it’s a bit slow compared to other systems but I do not have experience of other’s Personally I’d rather a reliable well built car that has a brilliant chassis albeit with a infotainment system that maybe a nanosecond slower than a lesser car But I’m a dinosaur!

[@Galacticmaster]

whats the average mpg for the diesel - real world?

[@tommyzoo]

I got between 40 and 50 when I drove one

[@ultravenomm]

Hiya was wondering i live in the UK, havent had my own car since 2016, been renting out cars but id like to get my own car, used, would it be ok if i bought a honda civic 10th gen car at around 50k-70k mileage with the SR trim ? ive heard about the oil dilution problems, but im not sure if its ok for me to get that car with 50-70k mileage - it will probably be a honda civic 1.6 I-DTEC SR (diesel) or 1.5 VTEC Turbo SR (petrol) - UK versions of the car. thanks if u respond. Last time I driven when i had my own car was when I had the ep3 and i had that for a good 5 years but in this current age the oil dilution sort of put me off with the 10th gen model, im not wanting a brand new car, just used car.

[@tommyzoo]

the oil dilution issue seemed more common in much colder countries than ours, so personally I wouldn't be concerned at all. The dtec engine is very tough indeed so no real issues there at all. Also I see plenty of 1.5 Turbo engines with very high mileages that are still performing very well

[@yellowledbutter]

Thanks for the review, looking at this exact spec. Coming from a Mk7 Golf DSG 1.6 TDI, what are the biggest differences in terms of driving?

[@tommyzoo]

To be perfectly honest I don’t have that much experience of that gen golf. I did find the Civic more engaging Weirdly I didn’t feel it on my first drive. It was later on a longer drive over more challenging roads that the chassis impressed The front end and steering are amazing

[@TX2673XA]

Hi. The Golf was not ok? I know it is a really good car. I do not hawe one, i drive a Honda 😁. Hawe a nice day

[@tommyzoo]

@@TX2673XA no the Golf is a really nice car and one that is very comfortable with a well balanced chassis It’s just that I find the Civic has nicer steering and a more positive front end. Both are very good cars but the Civics are much more reliable, generally speaking, when they are in the five years and older bracket

[@owlsy1971]

Are these chain driven or cambelt

[@tommyzoo]

Chain

[@alkabond]

Do they have a Heads Up Display Option?

[@tommyzoo]

Not that I’m aware of. But don’t take my word for it !!

[@topman.9646]

Great review how was the mpg?

[@tommyzoo]

Thank you. Sorry I didn’t record it !! Will try to next time I get one in

[@topman.9646]

@@tommyzoo cheers mate!

[@austinmatthews347]

They look better inside than outside really ugly outside

[@tommyzoo]

Very much a personal preference. Compared to most bland designs I like these and like lots oh Hondas i believe it will age far better than most of its competitors. But as i say its a personal taste

[@austinmatthews347]

@@tommyzoo well judging by the number i see on uk roads i would say my opinion could be shared by many. Whilst i have no doubt regarding their quality and reliability imo the japs cant get the aesthetics right. I had a new 19 plate in 2019 for a week and inside its miles better than the previous model but outside oh dear

[@DarkReaper-or9el]

​@tommyzoo bmw e46 and e92s have aged incredibly well they can be just as reliable as a honda but obviously a honda is alot cheaper to run

[@austinmatthews347]

@@DarkReaper-or9el i love the series 1 coupe think its e81 or something