2021 Honda Civic VTi LX review: Small car let down by high price

This was once one of the most popular hatchbacks on sale in Australia, but it has changed direction and sacrificed buyers along the way.

If doing your civic duty is looking after your community, then Honda only has eyes for the top end of town.

Its new Civic hatchback has just launched in Australia in one single high-spec VTi LX grade priced at $47,200 drive-away. This is more than $15,000 above the previous entry point into the range.

The Honda Civic VTi LX is now on sale in Australia.

That will place it out of the reach of most small-car buyers, which is a shame because the new Civic is an excellent machine that should be enjoyed by the many not the few.

The Civic is about to celebrate its 50th anniversary and it has been a stalwart in Aussie driveways for decades. Only five years ago Honda were selling close to 15,000 Civics.

But Honda is attempting to shift its brand up-market and is prepared to sacrifice volume for margin. It expects to sell just 900 Civics a year.

“When developing the market proposition for the all-new Civic, we needed to ensure it aligned with the overall product strategy for Honda Australia,” says local boss, Stephen Collins.

It comes in one fully-loaded VTi LX grade priced at $47,200 drive-away.

“The Civic has been specified to appeal to a new target customer, one that aligns with the move to a more premium positioning for the Civic nameplate and the Honda brand overall.”

Everywhere you look the new Civic feels more premium than the previous version.

Its styling is more conservative, with fewer of the sharp edges that defined the previous version.

A smooth silhouette that is more liftback than hatchback gives the Civic a more mature vibe and its 18-inch alloy wheels are stylish but understated.

The cabin fit out is excellent.

This theme continues inside where the cabin is airy, with great forward vision.

Honda has made a big effort to improve visibility, with smaller pillars, a wider windscreen, lower bonnet and hidden wipers.

There’s a mix of hard and soft-touch plastic surfaces inside, broken up with premium looking textured materials.

Easy to use climate controls are complemented by a nine-inch central touchscreen that is compatible with wired Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. The instrument cluster is a mix of analog and digital information and feels a little dated compared to some rivals’ full digital displays.

There is plenty of activer safety aids.

A crisp sounding 12-speaker Bose stereo helps keep the outside at bay, while leather appointed, electronically adjustable front seats come with a heating function. They feel firm but supportive.

Front-seat passengers score two USB charging points and a wireless device charging pad.

The back seat is spacious, with excellent legroom and decent head room despite the coupe-like sloping roofline.

There are two rear air vents but no USB charging points.

Boot space is decent at 404 litres, but a removable floor takes this up to 449L. Unfortunately this comes at the expense of a spare tyre, with the Civic making do with a tyre repair kit only.

Honda covers its vehicles with a five year/unlimited km warranty and servicing is exceptionally cheap at $125 a pop for the first five years.

The Civic is one of the better driving small cars on the market.

There is plenty of safety kit included as standard.

The Civic will automatically brake if it detects a potential collision with a car, pedestrian or cyclist.

It will also pull you back into your lane by gently tugging the steering wheel if it detects you wandering, keep an eye on your blind spot and sound an alarm if a car is approaching as you reverse.

Power comes from a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine making a handy 131kW and 240Nm, matched to a CVT automatic transmission.

It provides smooth acceleration off the mark and the CVT is one of the better performing examples.

Servicign is exceptionally cheap at $125 a pop.

The engine never feels out of breath when overtaking or when climbing steep hills.

The Civic feels agile and easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces, while it’s also a capable cruiser on the freeway, with a smooth and composed ride.

It inspires confidence through corners with excellent body control, impressive grip and direct, well-weighted steering.

Honda claims fuel use of 6.3L/100km and we managed about 7L/100km in a mix of conditions. The Civic only requires cheaper unleaded petrol.

VERDICT 3.5/5

A well-rounded car with excellent driving manners. It’s a pity most buyers are priced out.

HONDA CIVIC VTi LX VITALS

Price: $47,200 drive-away

Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, 131kW/240Nm

Warranty/servicing: Five years/unlimited km, $625 for five years

Safety: 8 airbags, auto emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, radar cruise control,

Fuel use: 6.3L/100km

Spare: Repair kit

Cargo: 404 litres