Honda Civic Vi 2004 Review

For many reasons, Honda's seventh-generation Civic (launched November 2000) has been a failure. Sales have tanked in Japan, and, locally, volumes have more than halved during the current model's lifespan. Why? Evaporating image and lack of youth appeal. These days, if you're after a Civic hatch, it's this Vi five-door or nothing.

That isn't necessarily a bad thing, because this Civic still sets a few standards. It's dash-mounted gearshift might look like a kinked erection, but it falls to hand like, er, part of your anatomy, and shift quality is superb - in fine Honda tradition.

The Vi's 1668cc VTEC engine is a worthy companion, too. It oozes smoothness, yet has a keen sporting bias that sees it haul above 5500rpm. The Civic also has acceptable torque, although it can't match the Astra's flexibility, nor Accord Euro's refinement and aural polish.

Same goes for dynamics. The Civic has a reasonably accomplished chassis, but it doesn't involve or reward. It's fairly ignorant of throttle inputs and tends to understeer, with a more neutral balance in faster corners. While ride quality lacks small-bump absorbency, body control is a touch soft and damping could use more finesse. And the '04 Civic's tweaked electric steering, while accurate, still feels viscous at straight-ahead and suffers from noticeable rack rattle over even mild corrugations.

Inside, Civic has stacks of room in nearly every direction, but its seat cushions are too flat for ultimate comfort, there's no steering reach adjustment, and bugger-all storage. Road noise is fairly intrusive, too, and Civic's body boom on bad roads undermines its generally upmarket feel.

The Civic is competent, but it's also outclassed and lacking the flair we expect from Honda.

Just be sure to keep your sporting aspirations low.