Honda Civic celebrates 45 years of production

Much like the Toyota Corolla, which celebrated its 50th anniversary late last year, the Honda Civic is an under-rated and much-loved small car which many Australians have taken into their hearts.

Now in its tenth-generation, the modern Civic is a far cry from the humble small car launched in 1972; yet it somehow still embraces many of the same virtues that won the original car its prized reputation.

Here, we take a drive of the original Civic alongside its high-tech turbocharged descendant to see how far the nameplate has progressed in 45 years.

First Generation (1972-79)
Introduced in 1972, the original Civic used a front-engine/front-drive platform developed from the smaller Honda N600. As such, the small hatch was incredibly light, and with a choice of four-cylinder engines ranging in displacement from 1.2 to 1.5 litres (37-55kW) was extremely frugal (5.9L/100km).

Offered in three and five-door hatch and wagon variants, the Civic introduced a high level of specification. Included were front disc brakes, reclining cloth bucket seats, an AM radio and independent suspension all-round. Radial tyres, a folding rear seat and rear-window wiper were also standard, while a two-speed automatic transmission was available optionally (a four-speed manual was standard).

Further improving economy, the Civic introduced Honda’s Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion (CVCC) engine – which could run on either leaded or unleaded petrol – and five-speed transmission in 1975.

The first-generation Civic was also the first Honda to be built outside of Japan, the Petone (New Zealand) plant manufacturing the popular small car from 1973-98. Other manufacturing plants included Japan and Malaysia.

Minimum dimensions:

Length: 3551mm

Width: 1505mm
Height: 1327mm
Wheelbase: 2200mm
Weight: 680kg (kerb)

Second Generation (1979-83)
The boxier second-generation Civic was larger than its predecessor, and introduced a sedan variant to the range for the first time.

Four-cylinder engines again featured throughout the line-up, ranging in capacity from 1.3 to 1.5 litres (41-55kW). The two-speed automatic made way for an optional three-speed unit, the standard manual transmission a mix of four or five forward ratios, depending on engine size.

Economy remained a highpoint (5.9L/100km), in spite of an increase in weight; while the list of creature comforts also grew. Larger plastic bumpers, carpeted floors, a rear-window defogger, intermittent wipers and a cigarette lighter were now standard fare, with high-grade variants adding a rear-window washer/wiper, tachometer and clock.

The Civic continued to be manufactured in Japan, Malaysia and New Zealand, and was now also produced in South Africa and England where it was sold as the Triumph Acclaim.

Minimum dimensions:

Length: 3760mm
Width: 1580mm
Height: 1350mm
Wheelbase: 2250mm
Weight: 720kg (kerb)

Third Generation (1983-87)

The Civic grew again in its third iteration, bringing with it the edgy CR-X hot hatch (0-100km/h in 9.0sec) and an all-wheel drive variant for the first time.

Regular (three-door) hatch, sedan and wagon body styles remained, though engine capacity grew, the range now covering 1.3 to 1.6 litres (41-91kW). The optional automatic transmission added overdrive for a total of four forward ratios.

A new 12-valve fuel-injected 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine (68kW) proved popular in most Western markets, with all engines now tuned to run on unleaded petrol. Rear-beam suspension arrived to improve handling while front disc brakes helped the Civic stop a bit better.

However, with most of the development dollars invested in driveline advances, the third-generation Civic didn’t introduce much in the way of new equipment. An AM/FM radio was standard in most markets, and included a cassette player, while cloth seats were also standard.

On the plus side, the Civic did introduce more storage cubbies and a greater focus on ergonomics, with a tilt-adjustable steering column offered for the first time. Power steering, air-conditioning and even a sunroof were commonly now requested options.

Now sold as re-badged Triumph and Rover models, the Civic grew its reach to even more markets, manufacturing now taking place in six countries, now including Canada and Taiwan.

Minimum dimensions:

Length: 3810mm
Width: 1626mm
Height: 1346mm

Wheelbase: 2388mm

Weight: 810kg (kerb)

Fourth Generation (1987-91)
A more aerodynamic shape and lightweight double wishbone/multi-link suspension were just two of the significant changes to the again-larger Civic. Engine choices remained familiar to those offered in the third-generation, with a mix of single and double overhead camshaft designs, and carburetted or fuel-injected designs also available.

Honda introduced its electronic variable valve timing (VTEC) to the Civic for the first time, upping power in high-grade models to 118kW. Civic Si models were capable of accelerating from 0-100km/g in 8.1sec, faster than the previous CR-X!

In standard form, the Civic’s equipment list remained similar to those familiar to the third-generation model, though a more modern dashboard, increased soft-touch finishes, alloy wheels and additional lighting lifted the model’s appeal. Power windows, mirrors and central locking were offered on high-grade models.

The Civic also offered an optional five-speed automatic transmission in some markets (in addition to the four-speed automatic), the manual transmission was now offered with four, five and six forward ratios depending on engine size.

Now more popular than ever, the fourth-generation Civic was built in eight countries, including America.

Minimum dimensions:

Length: 3965mm
Width: 1666mm
Height: 1331mm
Wheelbase: 2499mm
Weight: 835kg (kerb)

Fifth Generation (1991-95)

Engine size and performance grew again with the introduction of the fifth-generation Civic – as did the car itself. Although the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engines remained, a new 1.8-litre unit took output to 103kW. The headline act, however, was the Civic’s home-market 1.6-litre (B16A) unit with 125kW.

The sleeker new Civic again offered hatch, sedan and wagon body styles (depending on market), and introduced a two-door coupe in 1993.

Most of the equipment offered optionally in the fourth-generation Civic found its way into the updated model, as did cruise control and anti-lock brakes. Transmission types were rationalised to just two, a five-speed manual as standard or an optional four-speed automatic.

In addition to those countries already listed, production of the Civic expanded once more with Pakistan, Thailand, Taiwan and the Philippines joining the list.

Minimum dimensions:

Length: 4069mm
Width: 1699mm
Height: 1288mm
Wheelbase: 2576mm
Weight: 925kg (kerb)

Sixth Generation (1995-2000)

Continuing the theme of its predecessors, the sixth-generation Civic again grew in size, its minimum kerb weight exceeding 1000kg for the first time. Body styles remained the same as those offered in the previous iteration, while the engine line-up receded to four with the deletion of the 1.8-litre unit.

Transmission choices remained as per fourth-generation models with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) available in selected markets, and the Type-R badge made its debut. Four-wheel disc brakes, aerodynamic body styling and (in the Japanese domestic market) real-time all-wheel drive were offered on higher performance models.

Dual front airbags joined anti-lock brakes in improving the Civic’s safety credentials, while remote central locking, fog-lights and a CD player joined the kit list. Seat tilt adjustment again improved ergonomics.

Indicative of the Civic’s popularity, production expanded once more – the Civic now produced in 13 countries, including Brazil, Turkey and Venezuela.

Minimum dimensions:

Length: 4171mm

Width: 1694mm
Height: 1374mm
Wheelbase: 2621mm
Weight: 1143kg (kerb)

Seventh Generation (2000-05)

With the introduction of the seventh-generation Civic in 2000, Honda said goodbye to its long-serving 1.3-litre engine as a primary power source, the mill now coupled to an electric motor to form the first Civic Hybrid.

The engine line-up shifted to include a 1.7 and 2.0-litre mill, joining the 1.4, 1.5, 1.6 and 1.8-litre units offered previously. In Europe, a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel was also available.

Honda farewelled its double wishbone front suspension in favour of MacPherson struts with the seventh-generation Civic and also introduced an electric steering rack and limited-slip differential in selected performance models. Five and six-speed manual transmissions were offered as standard (depending on engine size) with the four-speed automatic carried over as an option.

Equipment levels were bolstered with a cabin air filter, remote boot release, and six-CD stacker on high-grade models, but were otherwise familiar to the previous model.

Production of the Civic now took place in just 10 countries with Taiwan (ending in 2002), Turkey, Venezuela dropped from the list.

Minimum dimensions:

Length: 4277mm
Width: 1694mm
Height: 1399mm
Wheelbase: 2581mm
Weight: 1091kg (kerb)

Eighth Generation (2005-10)

When the eighth-generation Civic arrived in 2005, so too did more safety equipment. Anti-lock brakes were now standard, as were side and curtain airbags. Depending on market, electronic brake-force distribution and stability and traction control were also standard. All-wheel drive, however, was no longer offered.

Honda’s funky two-tier instrument panel with digital speedometer improved ergonomics once more, while electrically-adjustable leather upholstery, a push-button ignition, sat-nav, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth telephony, seven-speaker audio system, dusk-sensing xenon headlights and rain-sensing wipers were available optionally. Power windows were now standard across the range.

Honda rationalised its engine range once more; the 1.3-litre petrol-electric hybrid remained, as did 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0-litre petrol units. A 2.4-litre petrol was also offered in selected markets, while the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel remained available in Europe. Five and six-speed manual transmissions and the CVT remained available (depending on engine size), while a five-speed automatic replaced the aging four-speed unit.

Production extended to a second US plant, with new plants in China, India, Indonesia and Vietnam opening. Other Honda plants re-opened their Civic production lines to take the total number of global production facilities to 16.

Minimum dimensions:

Length: 4245mm
Width: 1750mm
Height: 1359mm
Wheelbase: 2634mm
Weight: 1179kg (kerb)

Ninth Generation (2010-16)

Visually, and mechanically, little changed between the eighth and ninth-generation Civic. There was, however, an improvement in body rigidity and fuel economy, thanks in part to electrically-assisted steering, improved aerodynamics, and low rolling-resistance tyres. The most economic petrol-only model now achieved 5.7L/100km.

The hybrid model now employed a 1.5-litre petrol engine and lithium-ion batteries (nickel-metal hydride previously), spelling the end of the 1.3-litre motor used in the Civic since the 1970s. Five and six-speed manual, five-speed automatic and continuously variable transmissions remained.

Interior and safety equipment was updated with a 7.0-inch capacitive touchscreen in higher-grade models, music ‘apps’ such as Pandora also making their debut. A reversing camera and blind-spot camera (located in the passenger-side wing mirror) also became available, as did Honda’s Magic Seats (hatch and wagon only).

Wheel sizes grew to 18 inches diameter on high-grade models, a far cry from the 13-inch offering of the original Civic.

The ninth-generation Civic was produced in 11 locations globally: Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the UK and the USA.

Minimum dimensions:

Length: 4300mm
Width: 1755mm
Height: 1397mm

Wheelbase: 2595mm

Weight: 1177kg (kerb)

Tenth Generation (2016-current)

Based on Honda’s all-new global platform, the tenth-generation Civic offers a sharp, expressive and rakish design (in coupe, hatch and sedan body styles), a customisable instrument panel, and sharper dual-pinion steering. LED lighting is now employed front and rear.

Honda revitalised its engine line-up significantly with the latest Civic, introducing turbocharged petrol engines for the first time. Depending on market, these included 1.0 and 1.5-litre units, which were accompanied by 1.8 and 2.0-litre petrol and a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel (market dependent).

Four-wheel disc brakes became standard across the range, while the traditional (five-speed) automatic made way for an optional continuously variable transmission. A six-speed manual transmission remained standard.

The Civic Hybrid has yet to make its debut in the current generation, while the high-performance Type-R is in limited roll-out. The latest Civic Type-R employs a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine developing 228kW and 400Nm – the highest numbers yet from a factory production Civic. It is expected to go on sale in Australia later this year (2017).

Minimum dimensions (change over first-generation Civic):

Length: 4644mm (+1093mm)
Width: 1799mm (+294mm)
Height: 1416mm (+89mm)

Wheelbase: 2700mm (+500mm)

Weight: 1331kg (+651kg)