2013 Honda Civic Sedan Touring

The Honda Civic is most probably the most popular thing in Canada after the poutine. The 2013 model year is Honda’s reaction to correct all the things that went wrong for 2012 and the launch of the 9thgeneration Civic.

Facing refinement and quality issues, the 2012 Honda Civic was a let-down. Have they been resolved and is the Civic once again a reference point for the segment, we shall soon find out.

Prices have gone up a bit as the Civic now starts at $15,440 for a DX and go all the way up to $24,900 for the Touring like our test vehicle. All editions up to the Touring come with the same old 1.8lt 4-cylinder engine and a choice between a 6-speed manual transmission and a 5-speed automatic.

The refreshed exterior looks very sleek, the front bumper with the sticking out angles is very sporty and the wider grille with the chrome outline looks upscale, while the totally redesigned rear looks hot and classy. All that, sit on a set of very appealing 17” rims that complete the awesome looks.

The interior design is almost identical with last year’s but has been improved in terms of sound proofing, built quality, fit and finish. There are some soft to the touch panels and the frame around the nav screen makes it look nicely integrated to the dash and not an aftermarket product as before.

The driving position remains excellent and ergonomics are very good. The front seats are comfortable and supportive enough, while the rear seats have enough room for even 3 adults that love each other and don’t mind touching a bit. The flat floor in the back makes it easy for kids to move from one side to another, increasing practicality for everyday use. The cargo area benefited from the slight body length increase and is now a good 353lt which is more than enough for shopping bags and a stroller.

Visibility is great and driving a Civic has never been easier thanks to the light steering, perky engine, smooth gearbox and ergonomic interior. The Touring model gets sat-nav, i-MID display, USB and AUX inputs, leather upholstery, ABS, stability control, sunroof, multi-angle rearview camera, heated front seats and power peripherals. Also note the 2013 Civic is an IIHS top safety pick.

The 1.8lt 4-cylinder engine is rated at 140BHP and 128lb-ft of torque. Mated to the 5-speed auto it will not set your pants on fire, but it is very refined and civilized. At idle you can barely hear or feel it is running but when pushed hard to get the most out of it, it does get a bit harsh and noisy. It does perform best over 4000rpm but the gearbox tends to disagree. Fuel economy is rather good, as during our test we averaged 8.8lt/100km driving mostly in the city.

On the road the front and rear independent suspension carrying the rigid chassis does a great job which reinforces the feeling that you could have more power under the hood. The abilities of the chassis are just overwhelming for the poor 1.8lt engine but that fact makes the Civic a very safe car to drive. It is very forgiving in the corners and grip limits are high while the stability control will only really need to wake up in winter conditions. On poorly surfaced roads, the suspension does a good and remains quiet and composed in such a way that you think you are in a bigger car.

The brakes are strong, the pedal feels crisp, the steering is light but sharp, the seats are snug, there is room for everyone, it is relaxing to travel in, it is practical and well-built and above all running costs are very reasonable. Is it once again a proper Civic? YES, I believe so!