HONDA CIVIC e:HEV LX

The name is a tad confusing but the new Honda Civic e:HEV is a conventional petrol- electric hybrid that competes against cars such as the Toyota Corolla hybrid. Launched here in September, 2022 it’s not the first Civic hybrid. The previous model was sold here from 2004 until 2016 when poor sales saw it dropped. Civic e:HEV is the third mainstream Honda model to be offered with an electrified powertrain in the Australian market, following on from HR-V and Accord. A fourth, the all-new ZR-V, will arrive here later this… Read more

CIVIC TYPE R – THE CAR’S IN THE MAIL

If you thought the previous Honda Civic Type R was expensive, you probably won’t be surprised to learn the latest version is even more so. Type R is priced from $72,600 driveaway, $12,000 more than before, and you can order one now. But don’t expect delivery any time soon. You could find yourself at the end of a waiting list that now stretches out to more than two years. The drawcard is that it’s the most powerful Type R ever, with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that now produces up… Read more

NEW ZR-V ADDS HYBRID OPTION TO THE HONDA SUV RANGE

Honda Australia has announced details on its new ZR-V mid-sized SUV due to arrive here midway through this year. The ZR-V will sit between the well-established smaller HR-V and the larger (and soon to be larger) CR-V. It’s built on the same platform, and is around the same length, as the current Civic hatchback. In its press release Honda states that the ZR-V “sits lower than most SUVs for a sedan- like driving position” which is a bit odd given that one of the main selling points leading the SUV… Read more

HONDA CIVIC e:HEV LX

The Honda Civic e:HEV LX is a petrol/electric hybrid and is the latest model in the long history of electric propulsion in vehicles. The Honda Insight was introduced in 2001 and the Honda NSX supercar was sold in 2017. We drove both of these vehicles at the time of their release and came away impressed. Now it was our time to spend an interesting week in the Civic e:HEV LX and see how the Japanese company has advanced over the years. It’s a fascinating machine in many ways including the… Read more

HYBRID CIVIC MAKES A RETURN

It’s been several years since the Honda Civic range has included a hybrid. But it’s back, as promised, boasting fuel consumption of 4.2L/100km and CO2 emissions of 96 g/km. Oddly, in releasing the car, Honda makes no mention of the fuel or emissions figures — one needs to consult the specifications to extract those details. If those numbers are of interest, then you might also be interested to learn the price, at $55,000 driveaway ($8000 more than the petrol only model). The hybrid Civic e:HEV LX is the second stage… Read more

FORD FIESTA 2010 – 2021

Ford Fiesta is quite a small car that was mainly sold in the UK and Europe. A reasonable number came Downunder as well, but they didn’t sell in as large numbers than their bigger brothers. The Ford Fiesta was sold as a three-door or five-door hatchback and a four-door sedan, though not all were on offer in the new car market at all times. The front seats are larger than average for a car in this class and are reasonably comfortable, though some may find them on the firm side… Read more

HONDA CIVIC VTI-LX

This is the latest in a long line of Civics. It’s a smooth, refined, urbane motor vehicle that’s easy, comfortable and rewarding to drive. But I wonder if Honda has done enough to justify the sharp increase in price, with just the one model and no sedan on offer, arguably the better looking of the pair? I understand why Honda has culled the lineup, with sales of sedans and hatches in decline across the new car market. Just a couple of weeks ago Ford announced it was cutting the Focus… Read more

HONDA CR-V VTi-L7

It was a case of Deja-vu. Subtle styling changes, especially those at the front, give the Honda CR-V a more aggressive look. But inside it all looks so familiar – same layout, same instruments and same infotainment screen. Prices for CR-V start at $35,300 for the 2.0-litre Vi. The rest of the range gets a more powerful 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, starting at $38,300 for the VTi or $40,300 for the VTi- 7 with seven seats. Then there’s the VTi-X at $41,200, followed by the subject of our test, the seven-seat… Read more

2022 HONDA HR-V Vi X

Honda has been a major player in SUVs for many years and the HR-V is a small to medium sized model that is being chosen by quite a few buyers in this burgeoning market segment. The third generation of the HR-V is offered with a two-motor e:HEV (hybrid electric vehicle) powertrain technology for the first time on this model. It comes in two specification levels with two different powertrains starting with the Vi X that’s powered by a 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine, and the HEV L hybrid powertrain. Our test… Read more

CIVIC DUTY A PUSH FOR POWER

In the middle of the last century the only thing populating shopping centre car parks more than Honda Civic models were discarded supermarket trolleys. Indeed, my little brother was convinced that the latter, metal baskets on wheels, were aliens taking over the Earth. Since then, the little Honda hatchback diaspora has matched the ‘invaders’ in longevity, if not in numbers. How things have changed, now it’s the ubiquitous sports utility vehicle that has taken over from Honda’s compact car. Hang on, what’s this? There is a single Civic that still… Read more