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June 22, 2016

First Drive: 2016 Honda Civic 1.8 E


There’s a saying that goes: once you go boosted, you never go back. Say what you want about the linearity of a normally-aspirated engine, but once you’ve tasted a sweet turbo, it’s hard to replace that feeling. The instant power, the feeling of being dug into the driver’s seat—it’s intoxicating. And after putting the 2016 Honda Civic RS Turbo through its paces, it’s a confirmed drug addiction on wheels. But now, in the hilly roads of Bohol, there’s something that’s just as good: the 1.8 E. Despite losing the turbo, it’s mighty good. This drive confirms what you’ve all known all along: the Civic, in any form, is great.

Truthfully, the expectations are set quite low for the 1.8E; after all, what’s so exciting about an entry-level model? But goodness, you can never be so wrong. As the rains came down in Tagbilaran City, there’s only a few minutes to settle in, and it’s doable in a matter of seconds. A nudge of the seat here and a tuck of the steering wheel there, and you arrive at the perfect driving position. In typical Honda fashion, the seats are low and the dashboard, high. Still, visibility is excellent thanks to the thin, chamfered A-pillars and hood bulges that act as corner markers.



What’s even more surprising is this entry-level model’s high value quotient since there’s little separating this variant from the RS Turbo. Sure, the flagship’s got leather thrones, a power adjustable driver’s seat, paddle shifters, built-in navigation, dual zone climate control, and rain-sensing wipers. But that’s it! Given it’s the same price as the outgoing model, it’s upped the equipment ante. Passive entry with push-button start/stop? Check. Full-color TFT instrument cluster with animations and multifunction display? Check. Automatic LED headlights? Check. Cruise control? Check. Touchscreen infotainment with Bluetooth? Check. Rear parking camera? Check. Vehicle Stability Control? Check. It seems, Honda is removing all stops when it comes to the Civic’s tech package.

Equally impressive is how the Civic behaves on the road. The RS Turbo’s been getting the lion’s share of attention, but the foundations are so good, you cannot dismiss the 1.8 E. The new platform makes it fun to toss around. The quick, precise steering is easily the best thing in the new Civic, making it feel agile. The steering effort is a bit on the light side, but thanks to touches of feel and a quick 2.2 turns lock-to-lock, it rotates quickly through corners. There’s some roll dialed into the suspension, but it’s restrained and becomes part of the fun-to-drive equation. It also rides through rough, muddy patches of road with a well-damped, composed ride. At last, this is a Civic built for spirited driving.




The Civic’s propulsion is provided by a drivetrain that’s not associated with something sporty: a 1.8-liter SOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission. If this setup sounds so familiar, it’s because it’s shared with the HR-V. With 141 horsepower and 174 Nm of torque, it finishes the century sprint in around 10.4 seconds, some 3 seconds down compared to RS Turbo. Yet, it feels livelier than that, especially if it’ll be relegated to city driving. The CVT shuffles its ratios quickly resulting in good low-end punch. It also reaches highway speeds fast enough to be labeled as exciting. 

On the open road however, it shows chinks in its armor. You do have to wring the engine a bit more to get decent pace and managing to keep it can be difficult. The engine’s sweet spot is so narrow, a couple of times, you’ll feel hesitant in completing an overtaking maneuver unless it’s singing at full revs. This reliance on top-end power nets a lower fuel economy rating compared to the RS Turbo: 9.7 km/L versus 11.2 km/L. Thankfully, NVH is way better than the HR-V’s, reducing the droning noise to negligible levels. The brakes also provide a good bite with a linear pedal feel.



This Civic’s uncompromising sporty behavior forms a big part of its appeal, but you just have to talk about its looks as well. This 10th generation model is, without question the biggest one yet, especially once you see it parked next to an Accord. Its proportions are already bordering on mid-sized sedan levels, and yet, designers have managed to mix some playfulness in there. The front has a wide, confident face with the chrome wing grille pushed out to the corners. The back, with its fastback profile and C-shaped taillights, is a controversial aspect; yet it works because it ties in quite nicely to this Honda’s newfound love for the cutting-edge.

Inside, the Civic restrains much of that science-fiction vibe in favor of something more straight-forward. The dashboard is simple, concise, and laid out for easy operation. It also doesn’t compromise in interior room, especially for the front occupants, something its rivals clearly have. In terms of fit and finish, it’s been upped a notch with soft-touch plastics and brushed aluminum accents dotting the cabin. Interestingly, though the steering wheel is great to hold, it’s made of urethane. Honda should have at least gone for a partial leather number here.




Undoubtedly, the RS Turbo presents itself as the Civic pinnacle, but it’s also hard to ignore that it’s priced at around P 300,000 more than the entry-level 1.8 E. Because of that, this variant is looking like the best value sedan that doesn’t compromise much in driving fun. Compared to its rivals in the same price range, the 1.8 E is shaping up to be a complete and formidable package. After driving the RS Turbo and now the normally-aspirated 1.8 E, there’s only one conclusion you can gather: it’s time to party like the 1990s because the Civic is back.

146 comments:

  1. Sir, how was the sound system compared to the Mazda 3 or Focus? I hope it has good quality speakers

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    Replies
    1. Didn't get to test the audio system with the exception of local FM stations. Wouldn't say it's super wow, but run of the mill.

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    2. hi sir uly..i want to ask the difference between honda civic E CVT VS i-vtech,rs turbo as well.except for the engine,rim..thanks!

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    3. Is it okay to put turbo on a 1.8 E variant and add oil cooling on it?

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  2. So to shut up the haters, especially the mazda fanboy, which is the better car overall? Mazda 3 or Civic? Uly, what's the verdict so far?

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    1. If you're going to need a family car? Civic. If you're just going to drive just by yourself? Mazda3.

      Personally? Civic because there are less compromises to interior space while still providing a fun to drive atmosphere.

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    2. Aside from the interior space, what are the other advantages of the new Civic as compared to the mazda3?

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    3. We're talking about the 1.8 civic right? Well how about the 1.5 turbo civic vs the top of the line mazda 3, which is better?

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    4. When it comes to Civic 1.8 E versus Mazda3 1.5, yes, the Civic wins by a long shot. The 1.8 E is easily the best among its similarly-priced rivals such as Corolla, Elantra, etc.

      Going to the 2.0-liter/1.5 turbo class, the Civic and Mazda3 are very, very close to each other. In the end though, the Civic wins it for me because of better ride and more interior space.

      Civic Pro:
      - Bigger, more spacious interior.
      - Better ride.
      - Same fuel economy with more power (without needing idle start/stop and/or capacitor-based i-ELOOP).
      - Better NVH.

      Civic Cons:
      - Steering still not as sharp.
      - Suspension a tad softer.
      - Price of RS Turbo.

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    5. ^Err, may I ask what is the cost of ownership for the civic and mazda 3 for a 5yr period?

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    6. The Civic is more expensive at both the 1.8 E(1,088,000) vs the 1.5 V(975,000)and the 2.0 R(1,200,000) vs the 1.5 RS Turbo(1,398,000). Is the price difference at both variants worth it? And speaking of cost ownership, the Mazda 3 has 3 years free maintenance. Though I'm quite leaning to the Civic. I need help please. I'm just a bachelor, no wife yet.

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    7. I suggest to give both of those two cars a try. Only you can decide what's the best car for you... All we can do is help point you out to the right direction :-)

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    8. Uly, which of the two transmissions are better, Honda's CVT or Mazda's 6 speed auto? Thanks. I really like the Honda, but the CVT puts me off.

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    9. The steering, handling, & transmission of M3 is superior than this civic.

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    10. ^^ you know what you are talking about?

      have you driven both? if no.. then shut up... sterring, maybe.. but handling and transmission? come on...

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  3. Hi Uly, how will this base Civic model match up with the similarly-priced Focus Ecoboost (non Plus) models? They are all just below 1.1M.

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    1. Ah good question.

      The Focus has the pace but none of the fuel economy. Plus, the packaging is on the tight side for the Ford.

      I'd still go for the Civic.

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  4. For those who plan on replacing their beloved 1.8FD and not after the more expensive RS, this entry level model's performance suffices, plus you are treated with more safety features. LED headlights with auto-leveling, VSA, ABH, EPB, bigger interior and a fresh design. Looks promising to me.

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  5. Where is the Civic made?

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    1. AFAIK, it's still made in Thailand, just like most of the Hondas now. Only exceptions I can think of are the Pilot (US), Odyssey (Japan), and the CR-Z (also Japan, I think)

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  6. Very tempting. Honda got it's mojo back with this.

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  7. Having seen the new Civic in the metal, it looks as big as the Accord. Interior feels premium and the low driving position is akin to the EK Civics of old. The high center console feels you are wrapped around and there's a sense that you are driving a car of higher class. Rear seats are also positioned lower than say, the FB and FD. Overall I reckon that this Civic will be a very good daily driver.

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  8. Thank you, Uly! With all the attention the RS is getting, the 1.8E review is very welcome. This trim is perfect for a guy like me who's getting married soon and upgrading from a first gen Vios. One thing wasn't mentioned though... Is Apple Carplay included in the package?

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    1. No Apple CarPlay. Apparently, it has to go through regulatory approval from NTC, etc.

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    2. What a bummer! Siri integration would have been nice but i guess the stock one will do.

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    3. Won't be surprised if it's easy to install it.

      The 1.8 E actually has a GPS module built in. I'm sure they can put in the maps when they want to.

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    4. Fotunately, car play is enabled on 1.8 variant

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    5. I saw James Deakin's review of the 2016 Honda Civic. He mentioned in the review that Apple CarPlay is available. He immediately said thereafter that he was asked not to reveal its availability. With Apple CarPlay, you'd be able to project Apple Maps onto the car's touchscreen. It also comes with Siri integration, among others.

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  9. This is the car you drive when you want to get laid. Back in the 90s when you own a civic, you automatically get a free pass inside college girls' pants.

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    1. What is it with you and getting laid ? Not every car needs to get you laid. If you drive a Ferrari but you're a bi*** I doubt you'll get laid. If you drive an Innova and you're nice then maybe there's a chance. It's not all about getting laid !

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    2. Maybe he has an ugly face and compensates it with his ride. Trying too hard, dude.

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    3. I remember watching a youtube video where the guy drives a Ferrari I think, and without saying a single word, calls the ladies using hand gestures to hop in and they do get in. Lesson? Girls love dudes with nice looking cars especially in the Philippines where owning a car at a young age is a rarity.

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    4. @ 4:24, you do realize that the video you are talking about was staged, right?

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    5. Nice cars MIGHT help you get girls, but do you really want to sleep with somebody as easy as that? Maybe if you're desperate for a lay...

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  10. Hi Uly...comparing it with Altis.. Which car is better.


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  11. There's no way the Altis is better than this Civic. Heck, even the top of tgr the line Altis is lacking in the safety department, no VSA, just 2 airbags..c'mon Toyota.

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  12. Hi Uly, from your experience driving the RS version, does this model handle similarly? Info gathered from the internet says that the RS uses fluid filled suspension bushings for better NVH. Does the 1.8E make use of these too?

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    Replies
    1. Doesn't seem too different in terms of handling. A full on test drive is needed though, but the 1.8 E is just as good as the RS.

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  13. Nice but the grill should have been black or carbon fiber. The chrome grill looks like its for old people

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  14. The only thing holding me back from the Civic is the fact that the CVTs have historically had reliability issues. Remember the GD Jazz and City iDsi's? Recommendations were to replace the CVTs, costing an average of 300k per transmission. At that point the value of the cars were not too far from the asking price for the CVT resolution that it becomes moot and academic.

    Do we know if this generation of CVTs are reliable or are we guinea pigs for trial and error once again?

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    1. That's the main negative of CVTs, it can't be repaired. If it conks out you have to replace the whole tranny. It's not just Honda's, Nissan is even worst. In the States Nissan was forced to extend the Altima's tranny warranty to 7 yrs because it suffered reliability issues. Some say Honda's CVT is better because they make it in-house unlike Nissan and Suzuki. I donno if that's accurate.

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    2. Thanks for the info. I was right to prefer a conventional 6 speed auto then. I won't buy any car with a CVT, even a Honda. Wished they spec'd the new Civic with a conventional 6 speed auto, a shame.

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    3. Then if that's the case, we can all also expect the Resale Values of these CVT units (almost the entire product range of Honda and Subaru, and also the Toyota Corolla) to tank with second-hand buyers wary of reliability after the 3 year warranty period. Only time will tell. Such is the dire risk involved in acquiring, owning and maintaining such vehicles.

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    4. Unreliable and rubbery CVTs are a thing of the past. Besides, the old CVTs broke down mainly because the owners are negligent and they do not follow the recommended schedule for replacing the CVT fluid. Unfortunately there is no way around it, CVTs are replaced as a whole. Just take care of it properly and you'll be fine, it'll probably last for the duration of your ownership until the car becomes obsolete.

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    5. So if 9/10 of your friends had CVT issues in the past, are you saying 90% of them did not maintain their CVTs properly? 9/10 of my friends experiencing faulty CVTs doesn't make me feel any better. The majority of them religiously maintain their vehicles with the dealership casa. Personal experience says a lot.

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    6. I know a lot of people who "religiously" maintain their cars in the casa too. Problem is medyo nagmamarunong sila. My guess is that owners of those cars with broken CVTs think these are like conventional automatics na pwede mo patagalin konte ang pag change ng fluid. I myself am guilty of this practice since my car has a 5 speed automatic but I never had problems. CVTs were very new back then, lots of mistakes were made. Companies probably were still inexperienced and so were the owners. But didn't you notice most companies are now leaning towards CVT? It has become mainstream now, meaning the technology has become somehow more stable and more durable. Only time will tell really.

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    7. Only time will really tell. Besides, Japanese customers in mainland Japan won't feel the pinch too much since they use their cars for just 5 years as a rule.

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  15. Wow, free passes from just owning a car-- well, if cheap and drive-thru stuff is your thing, go for it. Tawanan ka na lang namin nang patago.

    Most kids nowadays don't *own* cars. They're still paid for, registered and maintained by Daddy. I remember one time I had a conversation with a kid who brought a Monty to a car wash.
    Kid: Kuya, ba't ka kumuha ng strada eh parang pareho lang naman cargo tas puwede pa 7 seater kung kailangan, tas...blah blah blah
    Me: Pang-relyebo sa negosyo eh. Sayo yang Montero?
    Kid: Oo
    Me: Ilan na tinakbo ng odometer? Nag 20k ka na? Magkano inabot ng PMS?
    Kid: ?

    Yep, kids with cars.

    And just in case you ask, the first car I had all to myself was an EK VTi. Bought by Daddy. I didn't go for the cheap stuff though-- I prefer cultured and challenging prospects.

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    1. If their parents can afford it, then whats wrong with that? Isn't the reason why parents strive at work is to give the best to their sons/daughters?

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    2. Clearly, it's a matter of pride and ego.

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    3. Especially those damn douchebag kids with the Toyota 86 or WRX. Mga feeling, akala nila sila may ari at pinaghirapan nila mabili. Pa post-post pa sa instagram at facebook nila. Proud owners kuno. Kung pumorma akala mo kung mga sino.

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    4. WTF! Eh di bilhan mo din anak mo ng magandang car! Napaka inggitiro mo na nman na tao!

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    5. Lagi mong tandaan, the world is unfair. Hindi yan kasalanan kung mayaman ang pamilya and ikaw hindi. There's nothing you can do about it. After all pinaghirapan din naman ng parents ung pera para makabili para sa kanilang mga anak.

      It's the parent's fault they raised their sons/daughters to be spoiled brats/rich kids and not the kids themselves. May mga mayaman naman na mga kids na mabait at hindi spoiled. Just my 2 cents. :)

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    6. Just read this - Inggit? - in two words, Di Rin. Saddened is more like it, cause these kids will grow up with a sense of entitlement, which will make them crash when they come up against the real hard world.

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  16. yung ngang scrambled egg pinopost na. Kotse pa kaya. Wag na maging bitter. E unfriend mo Kung d mo matanggap or naiinis ka.

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  17. CVTs are cheaper to make and it does make fuel efficiency better, that's why car makers are making it their choice in automatic trannies. But it does have limitations and durability issues. I understand CVTs are limited to smaller cars and, compared to conventional ones, more fragile. Earlier versions were bad, newer ones must be cared for well. Donno if that is reassuring enough.
    Me, I'm a manual guy. All I look for is a soft clutch and a precision shifter. I do wish for a car maker to make a stop/go mode for manual during heavy traffic. Or does it exist already?

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  18. Hi Uly, im contemplating on my first car purchase (on a regular basis, i'm gonna use the car mostly from home to ofc. Maybe some road trip occasionally). Would you reco the civic in terms of FC and porma (it's gonbe my first car after all)?
    Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. For now, it's well balanced for all your needs. If you can afford the Civic, why not? It's a great first car. Comfortable, roomy, and reasonably "porma". Of course, if you're a bit on a budget, there's also the Jazz which I happen to like as well.

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  19. What can you say about the lower ground clearance (133mm vs previous gen 150mm) on our roads, especially speed bumps and potholes? Will this be a major issue?

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    1. yun kapatid ko sa Circle nangyari yan yun civic nya 17 mags sira eh.

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  20. may sightings na ba nito sa daan?

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    1. May nakita na akong 3 units today. 2 white 1.8E and the cosmic blue 1.5RS. Damn...that cosmic blue is really a looker! Parang chameleon eh..sa ibang angle nagkukulay black. Yung trunk spoiler lang ang medyo off for me.

      Hay...kailangan na naming mag-divorce ni FD.

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  21. The ground clearance of this new Civic is just 133mm. The FB Civic is 150mm. Would the lowered ground clearance be an issue when going uphill/downhill, entering/exiting parking in malls, humps, and other related concerns of low cars?

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  22. Hi sir Uly.
    You mentioned that the fuel consumption for the civic RS turbo is 11.2 km/l.
    How about for the focus 1.5 ecoboost?
    I'm choosing between the two turbocharged variants.
    Thank you

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    Replies
    1. Rest assured it's not better than the Civic. How would I know you ask, I bought one and I regret it completely.

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    2. Sir, If I may ask, what is your current average fuel consumption?
      Thank you.

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    3. Focus 1.5 EcoBoost? 5.28 km/L at average speed of 11 km/h.
      http://www.carguide.ph/2015/11/review-2016-ford-focus-15-ecoboost.html

      I'm still waiting to re-test it again...I think Ford's afraid to let me one of their vehicles...I haven't driven one in months! LOL!

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    4. FORD Focus? stay away. Ford stands for Fix or Repair Daily.

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  23. love the turbo, dont like the black grill and spoiler. im reserving and plan to buying rs, anyone here plans to buy 1.8e and wants to change front grill and trunk with rs?(with extra cost)

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    Replies
    1. What. You'd rather prefer your civic to look like a base model? Seriously?

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    2. i've reserved a 1.8E already and waiting for my unit..interested to change grill and spoiler with you.

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    3. what color? il be getting the cosmic blue - we can switch, if you'd like

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    4. the spoiler im sure i dont like. its the black grill i have to think about. i prefer my rs civic to look like a touring model.

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    5. im getting the orchid white. i dont know how to get about the changing of trunk. the emblems might be afected. whnt to retain the rs badge

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    6. I'm getting the white orchid pearl as well sir.

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    7. How much are you willing to pay for the spoiler. Can we chat on msger?

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    8. i already have my unit..still interested on letting go your spoiler/grills? thanks

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    9. i sent an invite on gmail sir..if you're still interested..thanks!!

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    10. hi sir. i also have my unit already. and im certain to let go of the spoiler but not the front grill. facebook account jershon kho

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  24. Is there a drive lock mode on the civic (where the doors lock once it hits 15kph)?

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    Replies
    1. i think soo, you will have to go to setting and set it. 9th gen civic has, im assuming 10th gen also has it

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    2. Got the E and it doesn't activate. It doesn't have it on the settings too. It's written in the manual that not all the models have the setting to turn it on and off. Does it activate automatically on the 9th? or you can set it on and off too?

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    3. When we drove the 1.8 E, it had speed sensing door locks. You set it in the center display. Settings then Doors. That's if I remember the menu right.

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    4. I have the same thing on the menu: http://www.civicx.com/threads/doors-autolock-at-9-10-mph.3239/
      No auto door lock setting on my center display. Asked my sales agent and she said even the turbo didn't have speed sensing door locks which is weird. Thanks for the reply.

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    5. This warrants a full test drive LOL

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    6. I did test the turbo but didn't notice the speed sensing locks anymore. It's just weird that everything is automatic except for that one.

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    7. My RS doesn't auto lock too. The option isn't available in the center console? maybe they can check if there's a firmware update for it? It's really annoying considering it's the top of the line model but doesn't have this feature.

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    8. Hi Uly,
      Just want to confirm, I saw on brochure the RS vs 1.8e differs on arm front center. RS has leather with pocket and 1.8e has standard with pocket. does this pertain to center armrest? I cannot verify since I'm at abroad and planning to buy when I get home.

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  25. for 9th gen civic i had to go to settings and chose weather the door automaticaly locks when it reaches a certain speed or when shifting from drive to park or neutral.

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  26. Test drove one, the 1.8. Its okay....and thats as far as I'll go. Lotsa toys, but comes across as cheap and gimmicky. Ricer-magnet looks. Many better choices out there for the money.

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    Replies
    1. VW is currently matching the price of the 1.5 Turbo with its Jetta TDI DSG. Quite tempting though DSG has similar reliability issues with CVTs.

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  27. got the unit. my only problem is, with all the keyless access to the car, the trunk can be opened (by anyone from outside) when using the car. do you guys know how to fix this? :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Simple. Lock your doors.

      They passive key is only detected within a certain range. Once you're inside, just lock your doors and it will lock the trunk as well. It won't allow the trunk to be opened unless you press the open button near the driver's door.

      Using the key fob to open the trunk once the engine is started won't work, I think.

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    2. lol thanks uly. realized how dumb i am for not having to figure this out on my own. hahaha. prior to this car, i was driving a very old one without a hint of technology - time to learn hahaha. :)

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  28. Honda had 3 years headstart to beat out the Mazda3 and this Civic disappoints. They have more competition now and not just before like they had only to deal with the Altis

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  29. Is this a better buy than the Elantra 2.0? The Elantra is cheaper and comes with a more powerful engine 2.0 engine

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    Replies
    1. Koreans have a penchant for being disposable like diapers. Once your warranty expires, it's all downhill from there. I have a lot of disappointed friends who have bought, owned, maintained and experienced Hyundais.

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    2. Baka yung 90s pa na Korean. Ngayon pareho na lang yung quality nila dahil Thailand lang ginawa ang Civic dito. Yung kapitbahay kong balikbayan mas madali pa nasira yung Fort niya kesa sa Soul na pareho lang binili 2015

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  30. Give it 3 months. Siguradong meron ng riced up civics kayo makikita sa daan.

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    Replies
    1. Let's just say leave it in stock. Unless you want to be called a ricer.

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  31. Hi sir ulysess, what is the average speed for the FC you mentioned for the 1.8. Planning to buy a civic to be used as a replacemenf for my daily drive altis 1.8 2008 model. My car currently averages 6.5km/ltr at around 11-12km/hr speed (edsa rush hour) so hopefully the civic is much more efficient :)

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  32. Sir is this updated? Meaning, if you connect your iPhone the Apple CarPlay feature would not launch? Or could you even simply play music using your phone?

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  33. Anyone else have the new civic and have rattling sounds coming from the rear left passenger side of the car? Been searching on the net and it also seems to be an issue also in the US. Happens when the road surface is rough.

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  34. I was fortunate enough to test drive the 1.8E variant while my car was being serviced. Drove it from Eastwood to Makati via C% vis-a-vis. Here were my observations:

    1. Dashboard still had cheap plastics and the faux stitches added insult to injury.
    2. The steering feels light but not as light as the City.
    3. There was a bit of body roll but the car took in in stride. Experienced this while going down the ramp going to C5.
    4. It handled road bumps better than the City.
    5. Fuel economy was not its strongest suit; however the car was agile, nimble and responsive given its size and weight. Apt for spirited driving indeed.
    6. Infotainment system was user friendly.
    7. Definitely a stunner. The design captured attention of drivers, giving way in the process as the car passed by.

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  35. question about sa fuel consumption ng civic RS turbo vs 1.8E may idea ba kayo kung gaano kalaki difference in city drive and highway

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  36. i think my rs dosnt have automatic lock or unlock features..... correct me if im wrong...

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  37. im from mindanao and i wana get rid of rs spoiler. anyone intrestd changing trunk and rear dash with a cost.thank you

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  38. I will buy one as soon as they get Android Auto like the rest of the world.

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    Replies
    1. I saw a Reddit thread where someone said it's available. You have to download Android Auto and install it on your phone (apparently, your phone must be running at least Android Jellybean and must be a flagship device). Thereafter, you connect your phone to the info-tainment system using a USB cord to trigger Android Auto.

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  39. Hello Ulysses,
    Wow! The car looked very nice. Civic 1.8 E features is very nice. Thank you for the sharing. I wish I could drive it first.

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  40. Need expert advice in choosing my first car. After reading reviews, I've narrowed it to 2016 Civic 1.8 E OR Honda HR-V E. Any thoughts? The profile is city driving (QC to Ortigas). As a newbie driver, I'm also terrified of flooding. Does the height difference really make an impact?

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    Replies
    1. Yes, same concern about ground clearance. I drive a city and my side sil has suffered a lot from all those irregular gutter heights. Ma's mababa pa pala ang civic :(

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    2. http://www.carguide.ph/2016/08/review-2016-honda-civic-rs-turbo.html

      Your answer is in the review ;-)

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  41. fuel consumption report from new owners please

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  42. around 500 km pa lang ang mileage ko, talaga bang malakas pa sa gas consumption or will it get better?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. it should get better after a certain period. what's your current FC sir?

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    2. 8km/l at an average speed of 30-40km/h city driving (marikina-c5/bgc-makati-manila), while the econ button is not activated.. i will have to gauge the fc while the econ button is activated, hoping that there is a difference. Also, apple carplay doesn't work, it turns out it is not available in the Philippines.

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  43. Hi there!

    Im just wondering. Is it worth going for the more expensive 1.5 ra turbo engine because it is more fuel efficient? Thinking of getting the 1.8e variant but it is less fuel efficient than the 1.5 ra turbo variant tho. Your opinion on this is really appreciated!

    Thanks

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  44. Hi,

    Would you be able to explain the differences among the models of the new civic?

    Civic 1.8 E CVT
    Civic RS Turbo CVT
    Civic 1.8 E CVT Modulo
    Civic RS Turbo CVT Modulo
    Civic RS Turbo CVT Modulo Sport

    I'm sorry, I'm a bit new to cars. :)

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  46. there should be a Kia Forte vs Honda Civic comparison

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  47. Hi! I'm torn in choosing my first car, entry level Civic or top of the line City? City driving (Sucat-Makati/Ortigas).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tipid honda city cvt vx..
      Pangkarera honda civic kya bka malakas dn s gas lalo n ung 1.8

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    2. Civic..kaso pgdating s features mas loaded ang city vx cvt plus sobrang tipid sa gas..depende nlng s preference m sir kng speed or tipid plus loaded ng accessories..

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  48. Mga Sir im planning to buy Honda Civic 1.8E this end of year or maybe.. early ano po ba exact FC - City and Hiway and Average Combined. Thanks really appreciate. God Bless

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  49. I would take my chance here. Do you sir got any news whether honda civic 2017 hatchback would come to Philippine market. AFAIK Honda Thailand will manufacture those for Australia market. Will it come to us too?

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  50. Ano na po fc ng civic 1.8?malakas ba sa gas?planning dn mag civic sana kht 1.8

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    Replies
    1. We reviewed the 1.8 E already:

      http://www.carguide.ph/2017/01/review-2017-honda-civic-18-e.html

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  51. Hi sir uly..ask ko lang po Hindi po ba matagtag?
    Hindi po ba maugong?
    Rinig n rinig po ba ingay sa labas pag nakaclose ung door?

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    Replies
    1. It's one of the quietest Civics ever. Noise is well isolated and the ride is very good.

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  52. HELP!honda civic 1.8 or toyota innova gas or diesel?

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  53. Tipid dw ung diesel kaso maingay makina at mahal ang maintenance..kung sakali first time ko sa diesel engine..ano po ba pros and cons at maganda po ba if gas kunin ko o mas maganda ung diesel engine?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kung tamad ka sa preventive maintenance at gusto mo makatipid sa gastos, mag gasoline ka, mas mahal nga lang yung fuel. Yung tinipid mo sa diesel fuel gagastusin mo rin yun sa maintenance ng diesel engine.

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  54. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  55. Planning to buy entry level civic or the new 2017 city vx modulo black edition. Ano po kaya mas maganda?

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  56. what gasoline do you recommend for the civic 1.8 e. considering economy and efficiency,

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    Replies
    1. Any regular unleaded fuel will do. Other than brand, I suggest that you fill up at a reputable station (clean, well-maintained pumps, etc.)

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