There’s a lot at stake with the all-new Honda Civic. With the hype saying that it’s “reborn”; this is the clearest indicator whether or not Honda, as a company, is heading in the right direction. Though Honda has expanded their line-up of late, the Civic remains their barometer. It’s their Big Mac, their Frappuccino, their “TM” next to the company name. Will the Civic do Soichiro Honda proud or will it have him turning in his grave?
Mr. Honda has nothing to worry about. He’s probably beaming a huge smile as he strokes his Earth Dreams harp with the angels and cherubims in the Temple of VTEC. Just a block from Honda’s office in BGC, the Civic is managing to catch the attention of every motorist. Everyone is doing double-takes, wondering who the lucky bastard is in the tintless RS Turbo. At first, your ego kicks into overdrive thinking all that attention is because you’re ridiculously good looking. That’s when you catch a glimpse of your reflection and it hits you: dammit, it’s because the car’s ridiculously good looking.
Loyalists will still say how the EK-series looks more like a modern classic, but the all-new Civic is every bit a class act. It’s a stunner from every angle: sleek, sporty, sweptback. Sure, the proportions have grown a lot, something reiterated when you park it next to an old Accord. However, designers have worked to dial up the aggressiveness and plant the stance. The overall vibe is youthful and techie, something seen in all of the detail work peppered around.
At night, the Civic is even more of a stunner. The full LED headlight cluster casts an unmistakable bluish-white light while the rear C-shaped tail lights with their light pipe design provide an interesting exclamation point. Interestingly, the Civic’s headlights don’t throw a long and wide enough beam of light. Even with the front fog lights on, it suffers from poor nighttime visibility—a shock given the complexity of the headlight’s design and the fact that this particular unit doesn’t even have tint.
Moving along, that youthful vibe is carried on inside where the seating position is actually quite low with the legs spread out. There’s a wide range of movement for all the driving controls available, but even at the highest setting, the feeling is more akin to that of a CR-Z. That’s not to say the visibility is compromised. On the contrary, the sight lines are typical Honda: clear and free from blind spots. The large windshield and wide side mirrors are particularly effective in darting through traffic or maneuvering through tight quarters.
The gauges are pretty much the best thing in the new Civic. Ditching the two-tier instrument cluster, the new layout is fuss-free and easy to understand. Granted there’s a noticeable delay when switching through menus, but it makes up for it with crisp, clear graphics. The same can be said with the touchscreen infotainment system: it’s full-featured but not as snappy as you’d expect. Still, this is the first one in its class to offer both Apple Car Play and Android Auto as standard, so there.
Apart from feeling like a proper driver’s car for the first time in decades, the Civic doesn’t skimp in the practicality aspect too. First up, the fit and finish are noticeably better than ever before. There are still some hard plastics here and there, but the overall feel has certainly gone up and it shows in places like the realistic looking aluminum trim and well-damped controls. Next, it’s roomier and larger for all five occupants who happen to also get their own adjustable headrests and three-point seatbelts. Finally, there’s a ton of space for stuff from the two-tier center bin (with an ingenious cable pass-through), the deep, flexible arm rest console, and the 60/40 split-folding rear seats. And speaking of trunk space, it can swallow two full-sized luggage with room to spare for carry-ons before needing to drop the seats.
With the Civic already winning in terms of outright space and packaging, it seals the deal with its on-road behavior. Starting it up is already subject to some fanfare. Depressing the brake pedal, the ‘Engine Start’ button glows white and pressing it brings the turbocharged 1.5-liter motor to life. While that’s happening, the instruments perform an intricate digital dance before everything settles down, ready for action.
With a healthy 173 horsepower, 216 Nm of torque output, the RS Turbo is considered to be the venerable SiR’s spiritual successor, and to some degree, it is. Floor the gas, and it’ll give one hell of a shove, growling all the way to its red line. Taken as a whole though, it’s more than just a pocket rocket; it’s more mature and grown-up. In urban confines, the Earth Dreams engine shows off its smoothness and tractability. Combined with the CVT gearbox, it’s easily a comfortable traffic crawler. As traffic lightens up, it turns into an eager performer thanks to minimal turbo lag. The gearbox does take a split-second to adjust its ratios when pushed, but once it hits its stride, it jives well with the engine. This new powertrain configuration also results in reasonable fuel consumption figures: 7.73 km/L in the city (average speed 11 km/h) and up to 21.30 km/L on the highway (average speed 71 km/h).
Apart from being great in a straight line, the Civic is also much more fun to toss around corners this time. The steering is light and linear. The quick 2.2 turns lock-to-lock enable it to rotate brisky, while the suspension itself makes it feel planted and secure. The driving feel is more cold-hearted clinical than warm-blooded emotional, but at least it’s progressive. It allows the driver to feel when he can push or dial back; not once did it feel like it was going to lose control. There’s a bit of body lean built in, but it doesn’t deter from any of the driving experience. The brakes are also very good, with excellent bite and pedal modulation.
Even more surprising is how the ride doesn’t seem affected by the sharp handling. Even on delivery tire pressure (45 PSI all around), the ride is plush and almost nothing, but sharp roads cuts can unsettle it. Finally, some people have concerns with the Civic’s low ground clearance, but don’t let that fact fool you. After a week’s worth of driving through steep driveways and tall humps, it didn’t scrape even once.
Priced at P 1,398,000, the Civic RS Turbo is not only the most expensive compact car available today, but it’s also caught in the middle of the compact crossover foray. This may not make the Civic, especially in RS Turbo trim the go-to-choice any longer. Still, for those who are aligned to Soichiro Honda’s principles of spirited driving, technology, and fuel economy, the all-new Civic delivers on all these fronts. It’s not as emotionally engaging, but it’s nonetheless a technical tour-de-force. It’s surely the best Civic to come out of the Honda stable in decades.
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2016 Honda Civic RS
Turbo
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| Ownership | 2016 Honda Civic RS Turbo |
| Year Introduced | 2016 |
| Vehicle Classification | Compact Car |
| The Basics | |
| Body Type | 4-door sedan |
| Seating | 5 |
| Engine / Drive | F/F |
| Under the Hood | |
| Displacement (liters) | 1.5 |
| Aspiration | Turbocharged |
| Fuel Delivery | Direct Injection |
| Layout / # of Cylinders | I4 |
| BHP @ rpm | 173 @ 5,500 |
| Nm @ rpm | 220 @ 1,700-5,500 |
| Fuel / Min. Octane | Gasoline / 91~ |
| Transmission | CVT |
| Cruise Control | Yes |
| Fuel Economy @ Ave. Speed |
7.73 km/L (average speed
11 km/h); 21.31 km/L (average speed 71 km/h) |
| Dimensions and Weights | |
| Length (mm) | 4,633 |
| Width (mm) | 1,799 |
| Height (mm) | 1,416 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,700 |
| Curb Weight (kg) | 1,308 |
| Suspension and Tires | |
| Front Suspension | Independent, MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Independent, Multilink |
| Front Brakes | Vented Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Disc |
| Tires | Yokohama dB Decibel Blue Earth 215/50 17 V (f & r) |
| Wheels | Alloy |
| Safety Features | |
| Airbags | 6 |
| Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) | Yes |
| Traction / Stability Control | Yes |
| Parking Sensors | Rear Camera |
| Other Safety Features | Hill Start Assist |
| Exterior Features | |
| Headlights | LED |
| Fog Lamps | Yes, Front |
| Auto Lights | Yes |
| Rain-sensing Wipers | Yes |
| Interior Features | |
| Steering Wheel Adjust | Tilt/Telescopic |
| Steering Wheel Material | Leather |
| Seating Adjustment | Electric (Driver) |
| Seating Surface | Leather |
| Folding Rear Seat | Yes, 60/40 |
| On-Board Computer | Yes |
| Convenience Features | |
| Power Steering | Yes |
| Power Door Locks | Yes |
| Power Windows | Yes |
| Power Mirrors | Yes |
| Climate Control | Yes, Dual Zone |
| Audio System |
Stereo CD MP3 USB Bluetooth HDMI |
| # of Speakers | 6 |
| Steering Controls | Yes |
Pros:
ReplyDeletePowerful engine
Spacious
Looks
Cons:
Expensive
Hard plastic materials
leather seats looks cheap
Cold driving dynamics
Mismo! Very cheap feel ng materials sa interiors from manibela to every buttons palang to compare with our 2014 jazz and city vx, Medyo weird coz ur expecting an upgrade more premium feels pag upo mo palang. Well not like accord feeling pero you'll notice na parang mas premium feel pa din yung city and jazz kahit paano.
DeleteDriving exp, errr.. nowhere near as exciting as mazda 3. Parang city lang din na mas may grunt power
Another hater here...I don't know how you could classify a B-segment car as more premium over a C-segment car.
DeleteWell if he compared the City/Jazz VX to the Civic 1.8, the Civic would feel cheaper due to its touch points still urethane, whereas the City VX is already in leather.
DeleteHe pretty much compared a top of the line city with a base model civic. Of course there will be luxury touches in top of the line models. Duh.
DeleteBitter lang siguro yan.
2016 MAZDA 3 better, why should i buy this... compared to Mazda 3 more premium and cheaper.
DeleteThe 2017 Mazda 3 is even more premium than the 2016. ;)
DeleteMore premium? Wtf are you people talking about? What's up with this premium bullcrap?
DeleteThe Civic's material quality and seat designs look and feel cheap, whereas the Mazda's material quality, design, and ambiance feel very premium as compared to the competition. Also, the 2.0 naturally aspirated engine in the Mazda 3 sounds a lot better than the Civic's 1.5.
DeleteI guess to end all discussions on Mazda3 vs Civic, we can ask Uly to do a head-to-head comparison test between the two. Compare interiors, controls, dashboard layout, features, a 0-100 kmh sprint time, a quarter mile drag time, and maybe a top speed run. At least, it will be more objective than all these subjective or loyalist spat.
DeleteRemove the 0-100km/h sprint and quarter mile drag, we all know who's gonna win. Mazda fan gheys like to argue premium quality materials and crap, well honestly they're all the same. They still use hard plastics.
DeleteThe amount of PVC pipe used on Civic interior is enormous.
Deletei see more new honda civics now than the new mazda 3 on the road. civic just came for a few months now and mazda 3 is 2 years old. lol
DeleteThe plastic texturing in the Mazda 3 feels and looks more premium than in the Civic RS but it is prone to be dirty. And the Civic sells a lot more than the Mazda 3 because of Honda's cult followers, same as with Toyota. Explains why Honda and Toyota tend to overprice their products while skimping on features and specs, because they can.
DeleteI think when it comes to design both mazda3 and the civic are very sporty. However, the mazda leans more on the sporty/luxury side while the civic's design is more of a sporty/futuristic design.
ReplyDeleteUly, face lifted Mazda 3 2 liter or this Honda Civic 1.5 liter?
ReplyDeleteGood question...let's see how the Mazda3 specs and prices their model after this.
DeleteBased on my quick drive in Japan though, the Mazda3 is more engaging to drive...you feel more emotionally attached to it compared to the Honda Civic. The Civic is still sporty, yes, but it also feels cold and calculated.
In terms of overall value, let's see. Right now, the Civic in 1.8 E guise is pretty excellent value. Can't go wrong with all those features for just P 1.088M. The RS Turbo, I think, is just a tad too expensive.
If you want a powerful compact at the same price of the Civic 1.8L, go for the Focus 1.5L Ecoboost. It may not be as quick as the Civic Turbo but it is quicker than the rest of the compacts. Spooling that turbo all the time though may not result to good fuel efficiency figures though.
DeleteGod. Please, no. You're better off with the Civic 1.8 E.
Deletehttp://www.carguide.ph/2015/11/review-2016-ford-focus-15-ecoboost.html
Deletehttp://www.carguide.ph/2016/06/first-drive-2016-honda-civic-18-e.html
Deletelet him be. he wants to Fix Or Repair Daily with his FORD Focus. :)
DeleteGood luck with the long term durability od this turbo engine, better pick the non turbo alternatives
ReplyDeleteHaters gonna hate bro
DeleteNot hater but stating the obvious complexity of the turbo as compared to naturally aspirated. More complexity = more chances its gonna break down
DeleteSo, are you saying those diesel engines with turbochargers are not that reliable? How many of those CRDi vehicles roam the local roads? Or would rather have one of those old diesel engines on jeepneys or delivery vans?
DeleteSmall displacement turbo engines are the new trend. They produce more power and torque for a lot less displacement. It will only become unreliable in the hands of an owner who does not have any sense of caring (skipping PMS, prolonging fluid life, etc.) for their car, and this does not apply only to turbo cars but any car at all.
gas engines run different dynamics from diesels. for one, there are no spark plugs in a diesel. diesels ignite fuel by pressure (boyles law) and that is how turbochargers are helpful to diesels. diesel engine components are also built differently (materials and engineering) compared to gas engines. your logic is not an apples to apples comparison.
Deleteturbo charging principles for a diesel and a gas engine are just the same. get your facts right before saying gas are prone to breakage due to turbocharging
DeleteDiesel engines are more durable than gasoline engines, that is a fact.
DeleteVTEC just kicked in Yo!... sorry, not this time around. the turbo will do the kick in. Had Honda fitted this RS with VTEC - this car will be the best out there in terms of engine performance. The low driving position and poor headlights is a letdown. otherwise it's a nice car. The 1.8 base model is good enough (iVTEC at least)just to save some of the turbo complexity.
ReplyDelete^
DeleteThat mindset is so 90's. Move on already. Technology got better.
Honda's new 1.5L turbo engine does not have VTEC. It is DOHC with a single scroll turbo coupled with Honda's Earth Dreams technology. It offers better performance compared to older VTEC engines where you have to push the engine to stages of high RPM just to get more juice.
DeleteIt does have VTEC according to the Honda spec sheet.
Deletehttp://www.carguide.ph/2016/04/the-next-step-honda-cars-philippines.html
DOHC VTEC Turbo. It's not direct injected though.
sir uly, wala po VTEC ang RS civic. And it's Direct Injection din. Dont trust the spec sheet.
Deleteyes, wala talaga VTEC ang RS. the VTEC badge on the engine is just for show. What it has is a Dual variable Valve timing which for some marketing gimickry was badged as VTEC. It has also direct injection as proved by that solid steel fuel line feeding the engine. You can also see the huge cam activated fuel pump near the top of the valve cover (high pressure direct fuel injector)
Delete1.5L Turbo Engine Specs:
Delete174 horsepower @ 5500 rpm
162 lb-ft @ 1800-5500 rpm
Single-scroll turbocharger
16.5 psi boost
31 city mpg, 42 highway mpg, 35 combined mpg
Direct injection
DOHC (dual overhead cam) driven by timing chain
Dual VTC (variable valve timing control)
Cylinder head with the built-in water-cooled exhaust manifold
Aluminum block and cylinder heads
Exhaust-port passages cast directly into cylinder head (eliminating separate exhaust manifold)
Drive-by-wire throttle
Cavity-shaped pistons and optimized skirt design minimize vibration and increase operating efficiency
Lightweight steel connecting rods are heat-forged in one piece for higher strength
New grinding process known as plateau honing further lowers friction level between pistons and cylinders
0W-20 oil
Mechanical high-pressure fuel pump
Sodium-cooled exhaust valves
Differences from 2.0L engine:
Mono scroll turbo system with electric wastegate and intercooler allows for turbo boost to be built up with relatively small throttle openings and low rpm.
Compression ratio of 10.6:1.
Smaller M12 spark plugs
lol on saying "90's mindset and tech got better" here's the thing for some people. fuel efficiency or power delivery isnt always the main consideration of people..sometimes, its the maintance or possibility or breakage, turbo means more parts that can break..and when these parts break, having a turbo replacement would cost a lot.
Deletewhat do you mean poor headlights? It does not provide good visibility at night?
Delete^Read the review thoroughly.
DeleteSame praises when the last generation civic came out. They eventually fail due to lack of reliability vs the leading brand
ReplyDeletePrevious generation didn't have a turbo engine. And if you're referring to the previous FB Civic, I hated it with a vengeance. I called it Honda trying to do a Corolla.
Deletehttp://www.carguide.ph/2012/10/review-2012-honda-civic-18-ex.html
http://www.carguide.ph/2014/09/review-2014-honda-civic-20-el-mugen.html
Question. Is the civic's ground clearance lower than the wrx? Have you ever scraped the wrx?
ReplyDeleteJust between us girls, yes, I've scraped the new VA WRX and WRX STI (more so the WRX perhaps because of the softer suspension). The ground clearance of the Civic is lower than even the WRX so call me surprised when I didn't scrape it. Not even once.
DeleteThe new Civic sits low to the ground, much like the Accord. Being to aggressive on speed bumps or ramps may not go well on the chin of the car.
DeleteNot sure if the ground clearance of WRX reviewed by Uly is different from the current WRX, difference is the tyre/wheel size. Haven't scraped mine.
DeleteI reviewed the 2014 model which comes with 17-inch rims. The 2016 now has 18-inch rims. It shouldn't affect the overall ride height.
DeleteThe WRX normally doesn't scrape, but it does scrape going down the office basement parking. Normally, our parking space is a test of ground clearance, maneuverability, and approach/departure angles. The Civic and even the likes of the Mazda3 and 6 didn't scrape. The WRX and Levorg did.
the all new civic is good but the problem is that it will never be a "reborn" with cult following unless it comes with a stick. ive driven the all new civic and level every aspect of it but to be honest, it feels like the first time i drove the fd (not exactly the same characteristics but you get the idea...good car..good civic..better than the previous one and seems overengineered) but since its an automatic, time came when i got bored of it..didnt even think of modding it coz it was an automatic. the k20 m/t fd though was a different story, it had a potent k20 and was worth modding coz it retains its value.. same with this.. i hope a m/t RS comes out. in the end, its a good daily driver that you will get bored of after driving it for maybe 5 years.
ReplyDeleteExactly my thoughts. This would be great if it came in manual. Now its just for posers
DeleteIt will be a reborn - With the Civic SI, which will be offered in stick. row your own 6-speed. unfortunately it will not reach our shores. It is also retuned to around 182HP, same 1.5 turbo engine.
DeleteObviously people saying this does not have a VTEC does not know what VTEC is, smh. VVT-i/MIVEC/AVCS/VTEC/etc.. they are all (almost) the same.. increase air intake on a certain event.
ReplyDeleteTurbos have been around for decades, and they've addressed all the issues it had. It could have had a twin-scroll though.
Should have a stick-shift variant for purist.
The futuristic tachometer is jologs.
Touch-screen is shit when cruising.
But I'm happy with Honda, releasing a new Civic. Congrats to new owners - enjoy the ride.
Almost every car these days has a touchscreen. You can't argue that against the civic.
DeleteTouchscreens should have been covered by that law on distracted driving. Imho its more distracting than cellphones
DeleteNot "ALL" touch screen are designed the same, buttons are still handy when looking at the road while adjusting the volume or selecting your favorite track. And yes, we can all argue whenever we want.
Deletewhat event?
DeleteYou do know that the civic has steering wheel buttons for stereo controls right?
DeleteYou do know that it is a touch-pad not buttons, right?
DeleteYour point being? It does have buttons and a touch sensitive pad for volume controls. I thought the issue was distraction?
DeleteOh so you prefer swiping while cruising, btw - it is touch-sensitive, you could change the volume by just moving your thumb around, if you hold the steering 9-3 position that is. Still, the concentration level on swiping is way different on buttons. Cheers
DeleteThat's just nitpicking dude. You're clearly on the losing side here. Gumagawa ka ng issue na wala naman dapat.
DeleteHuh? that's my opinion - not yours. Make an opinion - I don't give a sh*t. Buttons are better on steering wheels.
DeleteYeah but there are buttons for skipping songs and for folders (you know, the one with the arrows and shit). You only use the touchpad for adjusting the volume. Geez. Just look at the goddamned photo of the steering wheel. There's still fucking buttons everywhere.
DeleteMazda 3 speed still looks better
ReplyDeleteComparing the 2 reviews, the Mazda 3 still triumphs over the Civic in terms of price, quality, looks, maintenance, fuel efficiency, and driving dynamics whereas the Civic only triumphs on space and the superficial "Honda prestige". There is a 100kg weight difference so 20hp difference would be balanced out. The Civic is also a second faster due to the turbo, but with the cold driving dynamics, you cannot feel the joy as compared to the Mazda 3. And the refreshed Mazda 3 is coming out in a few months or even next month. I put quality highly on my list and the Honda's material quality is poor compared to the Mazda. Still using hard plastics on a 1.4m vehicle?
Deletei'm excited to see the new Mazda 3. The sales agent said it should be released by September. I'm really leaning towards getting the MZ3 2.0 HB (i just don't like the tight rear seat space) by end of the year. But if the budget does not permit, I'd go with the Civic 1.8 instead. I don't think getting the civic will give me a buyer's remorse anyway
DeleteIf you're gonna buy a Mazda3 it should be the 2.0. If you're going to buy the 1.5 you will be disappointed. However, the 2.0 version costs more than P1.2M which is in the compact SUV/PPV territory
DeleteDo a test drive. I'm sure you would not consider a PPV.
DeleteI wouldn't but some with families will given the price point of the mazda3 2.0
Delete1.4M might be a bit costly for a TOTL compact. I guess Honda might be better off if they price the Civic Turbo around the same as most TOTL compacts (less than 1.3M). If I do have 1.4M for a decent sedan, I'd spare an additional amount for a Jetta 2.0L TDI DSG. The interior finish and exterior build is better than the Asian compacts. It's like an Audi A3/A4 but at half the price.
ReplyDelete1.4M TOTL turboed compact is about the right price. (a turbo set up alone costs around 200k give or take). You cannot price this the same as other TOTL compacts out there. Heck, even range rovers use hard plastics. I'll take the civic over the issues plagued jetta anytime of the day.
Deleterule no.1 - never buy a first year new model production car. avoid early mechanical issues to surface. buy it on the 2nd year at least.
DeleteHonda's turbo (compressor and turbine) is still to be proven reliable, unlike Ford's BorgWarner sourced turbo which is the best turbo out there.
The Focus 1.5L Ecoboost comes with a turbocharged, direct-injection engine and costs less than 1.1M. Both cars have the same engine displacement and power output. What makes for the 300k+ price premium? The brand name perhaps, the lighter weight, or the extra fuel efficiency? It is true though that Honda local pricing is overboard sometimes (look at the new Pilot at 3.4M).
DeleteWhat issue with the Jetta? Do you mean the VW cheat software on VW and Audi vehicles in the US? As if it matters here in the Philippines when most jeepneys, buses, and old school diesel-powered vehicles emit an ample amount of smoke and fumes daily on the streets. The Jetta is the sedan twin of the Golf (same platform). I'd take the Golf platform anytime over any other Asian compact.
you are right - Honda's brand perception makes its pricing overboard. It also has more toys than the Focus. The CVT alone is more expensive than Ford's archaic 6speed AT, and the LED lights among other toys. that could make up the 300k price difference. The Jetta's DSG is the main culprit. It's plagued with reliabilty issues up to now. The software cheat is nothing.
DeleteWow that price is really high for a compact sedan. Its hard to justify that price to your wife (or man) when you can buy an SUV at that price. The 1.8L Cruze and 2.0L Elantra both cost P1 million or less and finished second and third to the Civic in MT's latest comparison of compacts http://www.motortrend.com/cars/chevrolet/cruze/2016/2016-2017-big-test-compact-sedans/
ReplyDeleteDito nalang ninyo e compare kung ano mas premium.. http://www.carguide.ph/2016/07/mazda-shows-off-refreshed-2017-mazda3-w.html
ReplyDeleteAt 1.3m better get the civic turbo. The 2.0 mazda3 is just the base variant in the us while the civic 1.5t is the premium engine
DeleteWrong, all Mazda 3's in the US have 2.0 engine as standard, look at the list of features and specs, its the 2nd to the highest variant in the US. The highest being the 2.5 which is not offered here.
DeleteI bet mazda fan gheys are now crying. Sigurado pag may na encounter na civic yang mga naka mazda3 sa highway, thei balls will shrink in fear. Alam nila di nila kaya unahan.
ReplyDeleteThis kind of jologs comment makes you cringe.
DeleteYeah but there are buttons for skipping songs and for folders (you know, the one with the arrows and shit). You only use the touchpad for adjusting the volume. Geez. Just look at the goddamned photo of the steering wheel. There's still fucking buttons everywhere.
Delete^
DeleteIgnore this comment. It's for the other thread.
BTW, the civic will whip the mazda3's ass any time, any day.
What if the Civic is a mere second or two faster than the Mazda 3? You cannot feel the fun in the Civic, you'll only feel the cold speed, whereas in the Mazda 3, you'll feel joyfully connected to the car. That's what I love about Mazda, when its competitors are vying for the fastest car, they forgot the driving experience and the joy of driving. Also, the Mazda 3 2.0 is no slouch, it is one of the fastest in its segment, with the Focus and Civic beating it due to the turbo on those cars. Still, the Mazda 3 2.0 sounds better than the 1.5 turbocharged engines of the competitors. Put it on full throttle and it will always make you smile
DeleteWell, MazdaPH did not bring the 2.5 (184hp), so yeah Civic will beat Mazda3 on numbers here in PH. But Torque-Vectoring-like on future Mazda3 is something to look-out. As you said, it is not always the power - it's how you feel driving it.
DeleteI guess some people like the feeling of cowering in fear and not being able to challenge/beat a civic in the highway.
DeleteStraight lines, that's it? lol. Lame.
DeleteNot just in straight lines. But really, what's even more lame is not being to beat a civic. The civic commands respect on the road. Even 3rd world SUVs will fear it unless you're driving other turbocharged cars (forester, wrx, etc).
DeleteMay torque vectoring na yun current ford focus ecoboost across all lineup correct?
Deletebat kailangan mag unahan? ano yan pang racing? tol mga economy car yan. wag gawing ricer pls. mas ok nga itsura ng civic pag di nila sinama yung ricer spoiler. kaya ricer na reputasyon ng mga honda kasi sa mga taong katulad nyo
DeleteThere will always be a car that will beat another car, what's important is how it feels to drive. Most people nowadays always look at the specs..they don't even test-drive! Anyway, good thing Honda put up a fight - Civic almost died. lol
ReplyDeleteJust like how the wrx beats the civic, the civic beats mazda3.
DeleteIt's sad how comments for good unbiased reviews like this end up as pissing matches between fanboys.
ReplyDeleteBut I find it funny how the mazda fanboys can only bring to the table the "fun to drive" argument. I challenge the mazda fanboys to avoid SUBJECTIVE ARGUMENTS and provide us with real data (features, 0-100km/h, fuel consumption, interior space measurements).
DeleteIn terms of subjective, the quality of the materials is better, fuel consumption is 9km/l for the 2.0 Mazda 3, while the Civic 1.5 has 7.7km/l. Just look at the list of features and you'll see that the 2017 Mazda 3 has more and better features than the civic. The Civic beats the Mazda 3 by interior space however. That's your subjective argument.
DeleteCivic is fatter just like their drivers, and that's it.
DeleteSorry, I meant faster. lol
DeleteSometimes, it's not all about comparing real world data buddy. Its about your day to day driving experience with your car. Both cars have its own pros and cons. Mazda is better suited for bachelors or young families who don't need the extra space and enjoys driving. You go for Civic if you just wanna go fast in a straight line and if you need more space. Besides,how often do you do time yourself doing 0-100km/h in Manila traffic? An example is a Ferrari, it's not faster than a GTR but people still buy it because of the experience. It's not always about speed and the features.
ReplyDeleteYou said it yourself. You'll be stuck in traffic so how in the world are you going to enjoy your mazda? But even then, the civic is more refined and comfortable than the mazda3 in all roads and traffic so....
DeleteMag crosswind na lang kayo kung ganon, mas safe pa sa baha kesa dalawang itong pinagaawayan nyo
DeleteMore refined, yes. But the incoming 2017 Mazda 3 has been refined as well. The Civic beats the Mazda 3 in NVH only, but in refinement terms of material quality and driving feel, the Mazda 3 is better. Also the 2017 Mazda 3 has G-vectoring control now.
DeleteMazda's suspension is so firm, it would tire out the driver in no time. The civic is more comfortable. Also that g vectoring crap has nothing to do with comfort and refinement. It only affects the handling.
DeleteFord focus ecoboost already has torque vectoring. If I'm single I'll buy this over the 1.5 mazda 3 and civic 1.8. Better engine good handling and 6 speed auto.
Delete^
DeleteThe fuel efficiency sucks though.
What Mazda did you drove? The G vectoring reduces body roll when cornering, thus the passengers will sway less. I like the focus as well, but reliability and fuel economy sucks. The Civic is more comfy because the suspension is tuned for comfort and it has a bigger interior.
DeleteAnd the M3 2.0 ride comfort is on the firm side due to its 18 inch wheels.
DeleteLOL! Why in the world are you letting passengers in when you're driving like a maniac in the first place! Hindi ka nakikioag racing tol, dahan dahan lamg sa pagmamaneho lalo na may dala ka pala na passengers. Kunyari concerned ka pa sa passenger comfort.
DeleteG vectoring is for handling and nothing else. It will not affect passenger comfort in any way. Saying it will is just plain stupid.
On the contrary, G-Vectoring Control is also built with passenger comfort in mind:
Deletehttp://www.carguide.ph/2016/08/enhancing-natural-driving-feel-primer.html
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DeleteHighly doubt passengers will feel the difference. The driver maybe.
what's with hating Mazda3? or Civic? I don't get it lol.
Deletekung mas mabilis ba ang sasakyan eh mas cool na?? babaw babaw ng issue pinag tatalunan pa! kung ayaw, edi wag. tapos!
ReplyDeleteUh yeah obviously. Fast cars = cool. That's basic knowledge.
DeleteAfter your Yojin package, how's the maintenance cost? How's the resale value vs. Honda? For me, Civic is still better overall.. Power, space, comfort, fuel consumption and resale value. Looks (subjective).. Handling for M3 anything more??? The price of the new Civic (TOTL) would be a big factor considering that there are lots of option or other segment in that price range. It would depend on the buyers needs and preference.
ReplyDeleteNo use talking to them bro. They've all been brainwashed. Puro "driving feel" at "fun to drive" na lang ang mga laman ng utak nila.
DeleteThe M3 2.0 still has better fuel consumption at 9km/l vs the Civic 1.5 at 7.7km/l. The Civic may have 20hp more on paper, but it is also 100kg heavier than the M3, only the turbo makes it feel fast at the expense of fuel consumption. Comfort, yes the Civic triumphs over the M3. About resale value, the reason why Honda's resale value is high due to the so called "brand perception" and the legions of honda fans here. The new Mazda Skyactiv vehicles have better resale value now. An estimate that after 5 years, a Civic would retain 50% of its value and a M3 would retain 40% of its value. Also, the M3 has the best handling in its class. The price of the TOTL Civic also puts it in a disadvantage vs the M3 2.0. All the other competitors in the segment are not as good as the Civic and the M3. The 2 cars are the best in the segment, anyway, choose the Civic if you need space and want the turbocharged engine, and choose the M3 if you want driving feel and luxury(the design and quality of the interior is amazing), even more so in the 2017 M3.
DeleteIf we've been brainwashed by the driving feel and fun to drive, its because Mazda fans love the joy of driving, whereas you Honda fans love Honda's "prestige" and you had grew up around Honda vehicles.
DeleteLOL. Prestige and growing up with honda has nothing to do with the choice. It's all because of honda's beautiful balance of power, efficiency, style, comfort and reliability. Plus add the good resale value.
Deletepag-bigyan, ngayon lang nakaka bawi ang Honda. lol
DeleteHow dare you call the Mazda3 an M3. Your sleazy Mazda does not have a chance against a true BMW M car. Poser.
Delete"How dare you" <- pang pelikula. lol
Delete^
DeleteSabay sampal. Tapos may theme song pa.
Manual please.
ReplyDeleteparang pag-ibig lang yan, asa pa. #hugot
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ReplyDelete1.4m is too much for an econobox built in thailand. hopefully, they bring in the hatch, leave the powertrain, put a 6 speed in it and price it at around 1.2m
ReplyDeleteYup. Or they can do a base model turbo with fabric seats and all that low end stuff in order to bri g the price down. All I'm after is that sweet engine but the price is just way too much. I wish there is a base model priced at around 1.1M to 1.2M. Honda please listen!!!!!!!!
DeleteHatch-back will be more expensive and heavier.
DeleteManual transmission may bring down the weight and price, but not that much.
I don't think you can still consider the Civic as a true econobox now or later on. It's beginning to grow and mature and the size of the new Civic is already akin to the Accord two or three generations ago. That's why C-segment sales are stagnant if not dwindling in the country as the B segment cars (Vios, City) are taking over the greater mass market.
DeleteWill the CVT avenge its horrible reputation or are we expecting disappointment down the line? Only time will tell. For now, I'm staying away and sticking to traditional transmissions.
who needs a car when you have a keyboard!?
ReplyDeletewhen you want balance and resale value, go for the civic; when you want handling, go for the 3; when you choose either of the two, you dont diss the other, you appreciate the other; when you diss the other brand justcoz its the rival of your brand, all you need is a keyboard!
right on! made my own checklist of the two based on my personal preference and i choose mazda. I fell in love with the new civic when i first saw it. But eventually geared towards the M3 after my own review.
DeleteI will still do a drive test though of the two to finalize my decision
Haha comments very entertaining.. pissing contest between fan boys who are justifying their purchases. Just buy what you want. Each has their own reasons for buying a mazda or civic. Pare pareho lang tayo nasa traffic. Haha
ReplyDeleteIn these comments with anonymous being touted as the schizophrenic debater, I always wonder how many of them actually own cars? Did they buy it with their own money or was it through a company car package or daddy? Or maybe, they work for the brand they promote hence why they let the other brand and its product down? hmmm.
Deletethis review explains my experience last night. i saw its headlight beam when i drove side by side with a new civic, and through my light-tinted windshield i knew the poor LED headlight beam is a major safety issue for me. the headlight itself is indeed a stunner but it does not provide enough light suitable for night driving if there is oncoming traffic.
ReplyDeletei hope new civic owners here can provide their feedback on this
"The gauges are pretty much the best thing in the new Civic."
ReplyDeletethen i guess the car's not that good then?
Been driving a 2016 Civic for 2 months now, just the 1.8 E base variant mind you. 4k in the odometer with a couple of trips outside the Metro and a daily route going back and forth through EDSA during rush hour.
ReplyDeleteOverall fuel consumption is 8km/l with an average speed of 15km/hr. During outside trips I get 19km/l, average speed of 84km/hr. ECON OFF during outside trips.
I don't understand why a lot of people are bashing CVTs without even trying them. Having converted from driving a manual transmission to a CVT, I can say that the only thing I miss is the feel of the manual from the get-go. The CVT feels a bit sluggish at start but it keeps pushing without any pause from changing gears compared to a manual.
With regards to the headlights, I can say that it's sufficient for night time driving. I think the Civic's LED headlight has a more directed beam as compared to the usual halogen headlights which spreads out a bit.
Ride wise, I have no complaints aside from having scraped the underside of my front bumper one too many times.
Cheers!
prone to scraping due to slight steep inclines like some sidewalk parking spaces?
Deleteabout the headlights, is your windshield tinted?
also to add, i understand that the ground clearance is quite low at around 135mm (if i remember it correctly). Can't the scraping be avoided by approaching the incline with a slight angle?
DeleteScraping due to the speed of my approach coming from an incline. Can be easily avoided by careful driving.
ReplyDeleteYes. Fully tinted. 20% light transmission.
alright, thanks. Btw very impressive FC
DeleteI don't know why but I feel like you will get tired of the Civic's new looks after a while. I'm not really liking the back end. They should also throw in 18 inch wheels and change the design. Mazda 3 still wins in the design department IMO.
ReplyDeleteditto. after falling in love with it at first sight, the excitement just faded away after three personal visits on different dealerships and numerous internet pictures when I was thoroughly reading reviews. something's just not right and I don't know it really
DeleteI thought it was just me.. parang nakaka-umay. Photogenic though.
DeleteFor "kids" here that are too excited to talk about how "fast" their beloved Civics are and how they love it in manual, GROW UP! Civic (or even M3) isn't a sports car. It's a commuter car which people love modding with ricey spoliers and useless accessories to look fast. Let's stop pretending please. If you want a proper sports car that will make other drivers cower in "fear" (as some douche stated) then get something faster like a Genesis Coupe or Ford Mustang. Or get a WRX. Anyway, if we all get this out of the way, both Civic and Mazda 3 look beautiful but they are NOT sports car so shut up.
ReplyDeleteIs the RS variant worth the price over the 1.8?
ReplyDeletePangit, overpriced, ricer fanb0i magnet, costly maintenance, under-spec'ed, cheap plastics, misleading VTEC label, it's not really camlobe-changing/valve-lift opening varying, just generic VVT cam-phasing.
ReplyDeleteGrow up daw mga naghahanap ng MT? we like MT, you prefer CVT probably because your old and sumasakit na tuhod mo pagddrive ng MT.
ReplyDelete**You're
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