Hello friend, hope you’re doing well!
Today I’m going to talk about the Honda Civic — a car that for me always felt like it had a bit of class, a bit of fun, and a bit of practicality all mixed together. If you’re thinking of buying a sedan (or simply curious), then read on… I’ll try to keep it simple, speak like one common guy to another, and share what I like about this car, what things to check, and whether it might be worth it in our town.
Introduction
So brother, the Honda Civic has been a car many people aspire to. When you see one on the road, it doesn’t feel ordinary. It has a certain presence. Now, in India, the price for a new Civic (last recorded) starts at around ₹17.95 lakh and goes up to about ₹22.36 lakh ex-showroom.
In our town the price will vary (state tax, dealer margin, maybe discounts) but you can take that as a ballpark figure.
Do you know it’s very special because Honda doesn’t produce it anymore in many markets, so the model you’ll see might be from a past generation.
I’ll walk you through the design, engine, features, pros-cons, and whether I think it makes sense for you (or us) in our area.
Design & Looks
Friend, first impression matters. The Honda Civic stands out with a sleek roofline, bold front grille, sharp headlamps and a low, sporty stance. It’s not the typical boxy sedan. In traffic or on the highway, it catches your eye.
Inside, the cabin gives you decent space. The boot is about 430 litres, so if you go on a family trip with luggage, you won’t curse the boot for being too small. The overall feel is premium for its class. And for many, that makes a difference when you drive it every day.
From real life: I once got into a Honda Civic driven by a friend. The moment I sat, the lowered roofline didn’t feel cramped (which can happen with “sporty” sedans), and the ride felt more composed than many cheap sedans I’ve tried. That was a good feeling.
Engine, Performance & Running
Brother, under the bonnet there are options. If you look at the petrol version: 1799 cc i-VTEC engine making around 140 bhp and 174 Nm of torque. The mileage for that petrol automatic is about 16.5 kmpl (as per ARAI) in ideal conditions.
If you go for the diesel version (1597 cc i-DTEC), you get 118 bhp, but torque is strong, and mileage is better: about 23.9 kmpl in that version.
Do you know it’s very special because the diesel version gives you that “high torque at low revs” feel which can be handy in city traffic + highway. If you drive on highways often, that diesel might appeal.
The ride quality: from my experience, you feel the roads more gently. On bad patches the car smooths things out fairly well (for its class). Steering is decent, you don’t feel like you’re driving a heavy truck. Though: if you expect “sports-car” level sharpness, you might be slightly let down.
Interior & Features
So brother, what do you get inside? A 5-seater layout (2 rows). Front and rear seats are comfortable. For our town (imagine mixed roads, some good, some rough) comfort matters.
Highlights:
- Boot of 430 L as mentioned. Good for family luggage.
- For petrol CVT version: 7-gear paddle shifts + sport mode.
- Colours available (in India): Lunar Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, Radiant Red Metallic, Golden Brown Metallic.
- Build quality is good; leg-room rear is okay for adults (though super tall guys might wish for more headroom because of the sloping roof).
In real life: A cousin of mine sat in the rear seat during a city drive and commented the knee-room was decent but for very long trips he would wish maybe a little extra headroom. But then he appreciated the leather+soft-touch bits.
What about price & value?
Brother, when you see a car priced at ~₹18-22 lakh, you have high expectations. The Civic’s pricing in India (last recorded) as above.
Now think in our town: On‐road cost (tax, insurance, extras) will bump it. So budget accordingly.
Value: If you get a well maintained Civic (if new stock is not available) or consider “used but good” examples, you might get something special. But you should check for service history, parts availability.
Pros & Cons
Let me be honest with you, brother. Every car has two sides.
Pros:
- Striking design, stands out.
- Good build and premium feel for a sedan in this segment.
- Decent performance (especially diesel).
- Good boot and space for 5.
Cons:
- The petrol version’s mileage (16.5 kmpl) is not extremely high, so city running might cost more.
- Interior finish, though good, might not match luxury brands. One review pointed this out.
- Because production/distribution may be limited (since the model is less common now), resale or parts might be slightly less convenient than mass models.
- For rear headroom, the coupe‐like roofline means taller passengers may sacrifice some comfort.
Suitability for our town & driving conditions
Now, brother, in our town, we face mixed conditions: city traffic, sometimes potholes, maybe highway stretches. So let’s think about how the Honda Civic performs.
- City: The automatic petrol version will make life easier. But the fuel cost might be higher than a smaller engine car. If you mostly drive in city, you may ask whether you’re using the car’s full potential.
- Highway: If you often go on long drives, the Honda Civic shines. Comfortable cabin, stable ride, good for a weekend trip.
- Maintenance & parts: Since Honda is a known brand, parts are available in many places. But check the local dealer network, spare availability for this model in your region.
- Resale: Since fewer people may choose this model ( vs mainstream models), resale value might be a bit unpredictable. But the standout factor may help.
If I were you, and I found a good Honda Civic at the right price, I would consider it. But if the price premium is large compared to a regular compact sedan, I might weigh up what else I could get.
Real life usage example
Let me give you a real-life scenario: I had a friend who took his Honda Civic on a family trip from our town to a hill station. Packed 4 adults + luggage in the boot. He said: “The steering felt good even up the winding road, the car didn’t feel stressed, and the boot handled all the bags without one person having to sit with a suitcase on their lap.” He also mentioned that on the return trip, despite heavy traffic, the seats remained comfortable.
On the flip side: In city morning traffic, he noticed that he didn’t get “super high mileage” because of stop‐and‐go. He said: “Yeah I like the car but for purely city commuting maybe I don’t use all the strength it has.” That’s honest.
Should you buy it? My verdict
Bro, after looking at everything: if you have the budget, you like a car that stands out, you’ll use it for more than just city, and you’re okay with slightly higher running cost (in city) – then yes, the Honda Civic is a very good buy. Especially the diesel – if you can find one – because you’ll get strong torque and better efficiency.
If your budget is tight, or you do mostly short city trips, maybe a simpler sedan might make more sense.
Also check: year of the model, service history, parts availability for your specific version/engine (petrol vs diesel), condition if used.
Final words
So brother, the Honda Civic is one of those cars where you feel you’re driving something special—not just another car on the road. The look, feel, and performance combine well. Yes, it costs more, and you’ll want to maintain it well. If you treat it right, it will give you joy.
If I were you, I’d go for the diesel version (if available and cost works) and test drive it on both city and highway. Make sure you check handling on our local roads, comfort over bumps, and service availability.
Hope this article helped you understand the Honda Civic from a common guy’s point of view. If you like, I can compare the Civic with a few other sedans in the same budget so you can see what your other options are.
