A huge LEAP forwards: 2023 Honda Civic UK in-depth review

The latest Honda Civic is a clean-sheet design that's only available as a hybrid (apart from the saucy Type R: separate video coming soon). And this Civic is a huge, huge step on from the previous car. Join me for an in-depth review of the interior, technology, engine, boot space, rear-seat space and all that… Jazz? See what I did there? No one reads this bit really. But it's a good video, and a good car. Promise.
00:00 Something about exploding kittens
00:36 What's new about the 11th-gen Civic?
03:33 How big is the boot?
04:10 What engine does the new Civic have? Hybrid bits explained
05:33 Can the Civic drive on electric power alone?
06:00 Interior, infotainment, quality and tech
07:28 Back seat space, child seats
08:44 Driving: first impressions
10:10 Driving: motorway refinment
11:51 Driving: twisty roads - is it fun?
13:06 Conclusion: should you buy one?
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[@nasosalexandris9045]

Tim, you might want to look into the "gearbox" comment a bit more. There is not an actual gearbox in place, it is all managed via the hybrid system. The e:cvt stands for continuous variable torque in this case. Bad marketing from Honda in my opinion

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

My bad - you're of course correct

[@moonsapling]

There is no physical gearbox at all to be precise. The engine solely drives the generator to charge the battery every now and then. Only at highway speeds when you need very fast acceleration will the engine drive the wheels through a clutch pack and a reduction gear.

[@wallace-bv4rl]

Thank you - thought I’d understood this (I had) but I was confused here 😂

[@greymark420]

I currently own a FK8, and have ordered the Advance in blue. When i test drove the car, i was really impressed with the performance, handling and comfort. The interior felt premium, panoramic roof, electric and heated front seats, heated steering wheel and a nice 12 speaker Bose system.The settings for regenerative braking do not cancel in sports mode.

[@pasiutrial]

Have you received it already? I gave up after 13 months.

[@greymark420]

@@pasiutrial Yes very happy, well worth the wait.

[@I360FXI]

An extremely insightful while also entertainment video as usual for this channel

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Thanks Conor, appreciate it!

[@roberttaylor3652]

ordered one of these six months ago so have seen many reviews but a great pragmatic sensible review this one

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Thanks Robert!

[@shaunm9928]

Great review Tim - lovely car!

[@pcr8918]

It’s not a CVT it’s an e:CVT. Other KZbins explain this in detail and worth looking out.

[@adamek9750]

Huge oversight

[@markscars1069]

@@adamek9750 He praises it. He gets the name wrong and fails to relay the actual tech, but confirms it’s a good system. Hardly ‘burn at the stake’ type stuff really, is it…

[@Proudarse]

@@markscars1069 I think we should let him live, as long as he doesn't do it again.

[@thegodofhellfire]

Great video! Civic is mostly usually a great car.

[@robtyman4281]

Your reviews are always entertaining, with great insights too. You're the 'Techspurt'* of the car review world. (*The aforementioned brilliant mobile phone reviewer.)

[@markhjones100]

Nice review Tim. Want one. Ordered one. Gotta wait a long time for one!

[@Kuemmernis66]

I‘ve ordered mine in September last year, still waiting.. Delayed until further notice 😢

[@markhjones100]

@@Kuemmernis66 I got mine 2 weeks ago. One became available after being told October. Lucky I guess.

[@timhaslum7461]

Great review, thanks. Great car.

[@nahidrahman]

Loved the FK8 and love the FL5.❤

[@stevealexR1]

The new CVT has NOT got a gearbox at all! eCVT means “electronic continually varying torque”.

[@emmettcotter1206]

Doesn't really have an eCVT. Honda just gave the system that label. It actually doesn't have a gearbox. The electric motor takes the weight getting the car up to speed. The 2.0 only assists under hard acceleration or usually only drives directly at motorway speeds and above

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Correct - my bad

[@emmettcotter1206]

@@TimRodieDrivesStuff great review. If I could afford it, I'd buy that Civic

[@KM-vc7iy]

Would you say the Honda Civic Hybrid is similar or better to drive than the Lexus IS250 Hybrid?

[@pillred5974]

If you put it into sports mode the regeneration settings stay on.

[@wojciechwilimowski985]

I wasn't expecting Exploding Kittens in a car review

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

I'm only about 6 years late to the party! I've had it since the day it came out and I love it

[@DontPanicDear]

Even the cooking versions look great 🤓 I think this is the one like the i3, where the engine just charges the cells. Unless you ask for full beans, when it somehow also adds drive. It’s the drivetrain of confusion clearly 😮

[@pasiutrial]

Slightly different than the Beemer. In Honda full beans mean only electric motor is moving the wheels, unless you're going above 70-80 mph or so - there's a crosspoint where a tiny, motorcycle- like clutch engages the ICE motor to move the wheels.

[@eugenux]

unfortunately, there is a huge price increase leap as well..., to the point it now is close to the fk8 type-r price at its launch.

[@alexandrulujanschi5192]

Mamalicki go home

[@pigeonpoo1823]

I'm glad you like this. For context, It's bigger than an E46, so huge. If only the Jazz was more interesting, I could be tempted by a Honda. Looking forward to yobbish behaviour in the CTR from you.

[@IanHutchinson1000]

Only downside of this car is that you cannot get hold of them. Honda dealers aren't even taking orders for them.

[@italianjob4947]

And the prices are going up.

[@pasiutrial]

Gave up after 13 months wait.

[@IanHutchinson1000]

Is it possible to fit a space saver spare in the boot? I've seen that that there is a recess there, but not sure how deep it is.

[@eduardosismeiropereira3328]

No, you cannot. It's quite shallow, the recess.

[@tomlockwoodbartlett]

have you driven the sport trim? I've heard it's noiser at motorway speeds than the advance trim.

[@eduardosismeiropereira3328]

Shouldn't be, as the tires (Michelin Pilot Sport 4) are the same in the sport and the advance trims. And the road noise is quite acceptable although the tires are very sticky.

[@nicotheindigo]

I thought the brothel bed part was iconic

[@swissDragonrider]

I ordered one and will get it this year. It will be my first new car and I still don't know if it was a sensible choice to spend so much money but the more reviews I see, the more I am looking forward to finally own this nice car 🤩

[@darkwatch127]

Any update on this? Currently looking for my first car so buying an older used one but if I am ever going to buy a new car, I'm thinking it will be a civic.

[@swissDragonrider]

I've got the car 2 weeks ago and so far I am very happy with it. It's comfortable, sporty when you need it and has a decent fuel economy (I land around 4.7 liters /100km at the moment with mixed traffic). And the car is really beautiful too @@darkwatch127

[@Proudarse]

First car? Who's your Dad? Rishi Sunak?

[@swissDragonrider]

@@Proudarse First new car, not first car. I always had used cars before. Im 36, so I think it's not up to a rich dad 🤣

[@swissDragonrider]

@@darkwatch127 haha, sorry for the late update. After 6 months of ownership, I cannot report anything bad about it. Really, really happy. They don't lie in the reviews ;-)

[@sqweki2008]

Keep being you! Sorry I made a guest editing appearance at 1.49 sorry again 😬🤣

[@pasiutrial]

9:08 like in every single Civic out there since seventies.

[@HecatombRecordings]

This car ticks all my boxes as my next but I cannot love the back end from the rear or side.

[@alechopkins6545]

This looks much better than the previous one quite pricey in Aus, i don't see many on the road (also doesn't help that for some reason honda has got rid of a good amount of its dealers in sydney) compared to the competitors, I don't see too many of them on the road

[@pasiutrial]

Same in EU, Poland. They got rid of 14 points countrywide.

[@Crosshead1]

Honda used to be quite a tour de force in Australia. Sadly, rather than putting some effort into marketing what is generally a pretty good lineup of vehicles, they just seem to have given up. I’d be quite happy to consider the Civic e:HEV to replace my 2.5 litre Mazda3 Hatch but I’d be afraid that Honda might just as easily decide to pack their bags and go home to Japan. I’m not even put off by the relatively high local cost of $A55,000, although it’d be nice to see a few more standard items like a 360° camera and a heads up display, both of which are standard in the equivalent, and cheaper, Mazda3 SP25 Astina Hatch.

[@alechopkins6545]

@Crosshead1 100% Do like mazda, they make some stylish cars and proven reliability (bar some engines). Good amount of dealers but their genuine parts are very expensive compared to other manufacturers. But popular enough car that aftermarket takes car of it in a lot of items

[@pasiutrial]

5:26 it's actually closer to 7,3s - better than Honda's official figure.

[@ST-nm1hp]

Still hard to get hold of. Long waiting list.😢

[@shieldaigbencher]

Not true as of last week. Order books are now open with deliveries starting from week 1 in September 2023.

[@joe-tn3rb]

I'd be so interested to drive a right hand car. I have the U.S. Civic Si.

[@pasiutrial]

e:HEV is coming to US market next year, isn't it?

[@justinvo6681]

Just release this in NA already man. We need this.

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Oof, that's a bit of a miss from Honda!

[@obsadenynick]

US got Accord hybrid (which EU does not), so I guess no Civic hybrid there...

[@justinvo6681]

@@obsadenynick I should've gotten a used 10th accord hybrid. I do regret buying a new car.

[@pasiutrial]

coming next year@@obsadenynick

[@KeepCalmAndTravelOn]

My dream car. Just need to save another 30k....😅

[@adomolis]

Everyone says how good the new civic is but the pricing is also insane. In Ireland it starts at the whopping 46k euros. It's mad. It's how much the 2023 CR-V costs.

[@pasiutrial]

How much is Corolla 2.0 in Ireland?

[@borgtennis]

I still like and prefer the look of the previous Civic 2020. The futuristic look is not dated au contraire, Audi, Hyundai, BMW are all going the futuristic look and copied a page of this generation. Real shame. The front is fine but the 2023 sedan's back lacks flair, while the other previously mentioned manufacturers went the 2020 feel. Have to say the hatchback's tail lights are a good step in the right direction.

[@SuperKiko112]

Never realised civic is the same when spelt in reverse...

[@michaelarchangel1163]

Tim, ABLE WAS I ERE I SAW ELBA. A MAN A PLAN A CANAL PANAMA. There ain't half been some clever bastards. {Ian Dury, RIP}. On topic, good car but I'm too stupid to be able to service it, as I do to my old Pug TD.

[@TheGU1T4RFR3AK]

Its not a CVT, its an eCVT. Literally no “gearbox”.

[@SeeMoreLevingthon]

It has an ECVT - it's not really CVT, it's actually not even a transmission - there's only an element to engage the Atkinson's motor in higher speeds. Are you sure you're supposed to be making reviews?

[@timrodierides]

Are you sure you’re supposed to be allowed a keyboard?

[@SeeMoreLevingthon]

Was I supposed to ask for it or something? @@timrodierides

[@jonharry6293]

Lovely car just let down by the warranty, 3 years and 8 years for the battery! Toyota give 5 years and 15 years on the battery and every time you have your Toyota service at the main dealer you automatically get a full years warranty

[@robc5955]

Despite it looking like a domestic applicant - in white, I rather like the look of the new civic and being a boring fart plus a cheap one I’m more interested in this version than the soon to be wrapped around a lamppost type r. 😁

[@eduardosismeiropereira3328]

White is the best colour, imho. Also the fastest and most economical 😊

[@italianjob4947]

It DOESN'T have a CVT gearbox!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, facts!!!! Learn about the car you are 'testing'.

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Corrrrrr calm down

[@italianjob4947]

@@TimRodieDrivesStuff 😁 It doesn't take much effort to find out the specifications of a car that you are 'testing'. You will get viewers believing that this car has a CVT gearbox.

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

Honda are renowned for making good stuff but they've had their fair share of turkeys too. Time and flogging will be the judge I guess.

[@gazlondonboy2185]

It doesn’t actually have a gearbox it only has a electric motor to get it up to speed and then engages the engine when your doing about 45 50. It’s literally like a direct drive system.

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

@@gazlondonboy2185 So when the battery is empty you're parked up?

[@nOTpASS]

@@CathodeRayNipplez It`s programmed to keep the SoC between 20%-80%, so in theory, it shouldn`t reach 0%

[@SpykerOwner]

@@CathodeRayNipplez And even when the battery is empty, the ICE power the electric generator motor. Which in it's turn powers the electric motor.

[@italianjob4947]

It's not a CVT!

[@anthonybragg4844]

not happy with the smutty school boy comments.

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Oh no whatever will we do?

[@SamA-cy8eu]

The old CIVIC looked timeless, this just looks like a fake accord.

[@eduardosismeiropereira3328]

My opinion is the opposite of yours. I had a 2018 1.5 turbocharged Civic and traded it for the new one which is a better car in many aspects, including aesthetically.

[@SamA-cy8eu]

@@eduardosismeiropereira3328 Bro you could have gone for a Hyundai or a KIA, still the heart wants what it wants, enjoy your new fake honda accord. 👍

[@markl8740]

Greedy UK pricing. Otherwise, very pleasing car. Reviewer seems obsessed with crude wise cracks. Grow up!

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

I could grow up, but then I’d be like that MarkL8740 bloke from the internet, and he sounds utterly dull

[@markl8740]

@@TimRodieDrivesStuff Since I'm a female, you've just misgendered me as a bloke. But bearing in mind your crude comments throughout the review, that shouldn't surprise anyone! How bizarre to swipe at Carwow's Matt, whilst performing poorly and with vulgarity throughout. You should keep to the Community Guidelines and be more respectful of your peers and the public, Tim.

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

@@markl8740 sorry Matt

[@JWFas]

@@markl8740 Your comment and another $6 should buy a Whopper at Burger King.

[@markl8740]

@JWFas Dollars? I'm in the UK. I would stick to policing everyone with your cycle cam and preparing burnt meat in the real world - you're not that great at trolling.

[@user-wq8tj3bi9q]

Just tell us about the car please, less of the comedy which to be honest isn't funny

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

New to the channel? 😂 off you jog

[@user-wq8tj3bi9q]

Just what I expected.@@TimRodieDrivesStuff

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

@@user-wq8tj3bi9q I’d say the same about your YT videos that you’ve spent time making, but you’re just sitting there like an anonymous complainer

[@user-wq8tj3bi9q]

I haven't made any! I'm interested in car reviews that inform and are useful for people who need to know essential stuff to form an opinion. @@TimRodieDrivesStuff