Review of the new Honda Civic - Hidden Practicality

Couched in terms of passenger space, the most efficient shape for a car is a big rectangular box. Look at a bus or a train and you'll get the idea. It's the reason why so few MPV people carriers are truly desirable and most supercars are. The extremes of the scale are easy to justify, compromise not being their business. When it comes to family cars, however, things are more difficult. These are expected to do a bit of everything - look good, entertain the driver, offer decent fuel economy and still be able to fulfil all of the family duties. Since we took delivery of our long term Honda Civic we've yet to grow bored of its next generation styling, but can a shape that sassy be anything other than a practical disaster?

Honda is a company that likes to do its own thing. When it launched the Stream mini-MPV a few years ago, it targeted that car at people who needed such a vehicle because of family commitments but probably didn't actually want one. Therefore, it was sleek and great to drive but, despite its seven seat billing, not the most practical mini-MPV around. Since then, Honda has launched a rather cleverer MPV, the FR-V, and the suspicion was that the existence of this model, alongside the CR-V compact 4x4, would allow the designers of the Civic a little more leeway with their more creative side.

That was the first impression but closer inspection reveals the depth of thought that has gone into the Civic. The tip-up, dive-down rear seats are unique, and fundamental to achieving a comfortable, spacious environment was a central fuel tank layout which permits a low and flat rear floor to the benefit of both passengers and load carrying capacity. The compact look of the Civic is a neat styling trick. In terms of cabin space and practicality, the Civic sets new standards in the family hatch segment, taking the baton from the Ford Focus, the car that for many years defined the class best.

".closer inspection reveals the depth of thought that has gone into the Civic"

Honda's designers are rightly proud of their work and can point to all sorts of arcane measures that highlight the extent of their achievements. Ever heard of the tandem distance? Me neither, but it's defined as the distance from the hip point of the front seat passenger to that of the rear seat passenger. In the Civic it measures 835mm, a figure on a par with some larger medium range family saloons of the Mondeo class and it's better than many executive saloons. It'll put a BMW 3 Series to shame in this key regard.

That centrally-located fuel tank mounted just beneath the front cabin floor plays a key role in achieving spaciousness and the flexibility of the cabin. Another key element is the H-shaped torsion beam rear suspension which allows for a much lower rear floor. At the same time, this rational layout provides increased body rigidity, enhanced crash protection in all directions as well as improved protection of the fuel tank, since it has complete perimeter protection provided by the floor cross members and the floor frame. Much has been made of this rear suspension layout, some commentators dubbing it a retrograde step compared to the sophisticated all-independent rear suspension of the previous generation Civic. Let's examine that argument. If pushed to nominate the best handling hot hatch of recent years, most experts would give the nod to the Renault Cliosport 182, a car that rides on, you guessed it, torsion beam rear suspension. The all-new Civic Type-R could well finally silence those who think a twist beam rear is unduly detrimental to handling.

Diverting tangent that it is, this isn't about handling and we're back in the Civic armed with tape measures, empty boxes and the 22-stone tyre fitter from the garage down the road. He's 6'5" and he can get comfortable in four of the Civic's seats. Folding the seats is no problem for this guy either, a man we once watched for the best part of an hour trying to lever a sixteen-inch tyre onto an eighteen-inch rim.

Collapsing either section of the 60:40 split rear seat completely into the deep footwell to create a flat load floor requires one easy step, and unlike some competitors, it's all possible from a position standing just inside the rear door. Added versatility comes from a 60:40 split seat base that can be tipped up and locked against the seat back, so creating a second load area between front and rear seats (1,205mm in height), that opens up a whole range of loading possibilities: two mountain bikes with their front wheels removed, a folded wheelchair, even a completely unserviceable Corghi Artiglio Master tyre changer machine can be levered in. It can also provide an alternative load area when access is limited because the tailgate cannot be opened, or when the weight of an item means it is easier to lift it the short distance into the rear footwell. Young children can also stand up - to change wet clothes while at the beach, for example. Equally, it also serves as a convenient area to place wet or dirty items to prevent the damage of luggage in the rear. That's true depth of design.

The luggage compartment is the largest in class by a substantial margin and even exceeds the capacity of some much bigger cars. While the class average is around 320 litres, the Civic provides 485 litres (1,352 litres to the window with rear seats folded down) of totally unobstructed space. Manufacturers love to measure things by golf bag capacity. The Civic takes three full sized bags in its boot.

As well as offering plenty of room, the load space also provides excellent flexibility by means of a clever two level storage configuration. There are also loads of small storage areas scattered throughout the Civic's cabin, but these are provided with lids wherever possible to ensure everything is neatly concealed. The glove box has a vast 14-litre capacity and includes a map pocket inside the damped lid, in-box illumination, and a 'fridge-like' cooling feature for drinks. Warm, flat cola can really harsh your vibe.

Look elsewhere and you'll spot a litre capacity centre pocket, while located behind the 12v power outlet is a convenient double cup holder with sliding lid. The 6.9-litre console box can hold 22 CDs, maps, phones, organisers, and sunglasses. Both the front and the rear doors are equipped with storage spaces ideally used for bottles (500ml) and maps (front doors).

It's only now that you begin to realise why there was such a deep depression cast over rival design teams when the Civic made its debut at the 2005 Frankfurt Show. Expect cars that crib the Civic's ideas to be appearing in a year or two. In the meantime, if you want a family hatch that fulfils its practical duties whilst still having the most head turning shape on the block, you're looking at it right here.

TOP 5 CIVIC DEALS

The results below show the top CIVIC deals on buyacar

Honda Civic 1.4 i-VTEC Type S 3dr Hatchback
Price £12,939 Click for a Civic Review	Save £2,487
Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC EX GT 5dr Auto Hatchback
Price £19,384 Click for a Civic Review	Save £3,080
Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC ES 5dr Auto Hatchback
Price £16,460 Click for a Civic Review	Save £2,809
Honda Civic 1.4 i-VTEC Type S 3dr i-Shift Hatchback
Price £13,689 Click for a Civic Review	Save £2,557
Honda Civic 1.4 i-VTEC Type S-T 3dr Hatchback
Price £14,110 Click for a Civic Review	Save £2,596