At least Honda should put this engine in Elevate just to compete with the rivals.
Bhpian abhisekbit recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
2024 Honda Civic 1.5L VTEC Turbo
Hello Everyone
I recently had the pleasure of driving a 2024 Honda Civic 1.5L VTEC Turbo on a 1000km road trip through Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur –> Penang -> Cameron Highlands -> Kuala Lumpur) rented from Europcar. This car is truly impressive, with a remarkable engine that makes it a joy to drive. It’s sad to see sedans losing popularity in India, and equally disappointing that Honda has been slow to introduce international-standard models to the Indian market.
Tldr;
1. The Honda Civic 1.5L VTEC Turbo is a remarkable car, with an exceptional engine and a simple, elegant old school sedan design.
2. Impressive power figures with a decent fuel economy.
3. Regarding Fuel – Cost of Petrol is 2.05 MYR per litre in Malaysia which translates to 41 INR per litre !!!
4. Driving on the roads and highways in Malaysia is a delight, thanks to the wide laned highways, well-marked lanes and disciplined driving culture making it ideal for ADAS Tech.
Review in Details
Exterior and looks
It was the 2024 model, likely the E variant(base), with only 13,000 kilometers on the odometer and was in excellent condition. It has a simple and elegant charm, moving away from the flashy, sporty exterior of its previous generation. While the previous generation’s dynamic design was eye-catching, it could be considered a bit too loud. In contrast, this version offers a more executive and understated look, which might seem less exciting compared to the futuristic designs of today’s market, but it will certainly appeal to those who appreciate classic long sedans. The car’s design almost feels like a German Sedan, with its ideal 4.6-meter length giving it a sleek, elongated appearance. The LED headlights and tail lights are seamlessly integrated and looks extremely good.
Some pictures of Exterior taken in Cameron Highlands
Its sibling seen on road, the RS Version in white
Interiors and space
Again simple and functional. Unlike the 2018/2019 Indian version of the Civic, which was raised to accommodate Indian road conditions, this model sits very low, resulting in a knees-up sitting position with poor under thigh support. For longer journeys, I would still prefer the high seating position of an SUV, like the 2021 Creta that I drive back home. Ingress and egress can be challenging due to the car’s low height. On the positive side, there is ample space for both front and rear passengers. The cabin quality and fit/finish are top-notch. The dashboard features a soft-touch feel, and the long horizontal honeycomb AC vents look fantastic. The physical knobs and dials are a welcome touch, offering great tactile feedback. The instrument cluster, identical to the one in the Honda City, is elegant and functional. The steering feels great in hand, with audio controls on one side and ADAS controls on the other. The seats also have great cushioning and feels accommodating. In typical Honda fashion, the 7-inch touchscreen is basic, though it supports wired CarPlay coupled with a basic sound system. Even by 2024 standards it should have a Type C USB port instead of Type A.
Minimalistic Dashboard — 7 inch Touchscreen looks small. I guess Higher version has a bigger unit.
Instrument cluster — Have a look at the Fuel Economy in MID for 236km journey
Driving Experience
This is where the magic happens. The 1.5L VTEC Turbo engine, paired with a CVT gearbox, delivers an impressive 182 PS of power and 240 NM of torque. It’s fast, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 8-9 seconds. A gentle tap on the accelerator sends the car flying, and surprisingly, the typical rubber band effect of a CVT is non existent. True to its VTEC nature, the engine loves to be revved, effortlessly reaching speeds of 120-130 km/h and beyond. Switch to Sports Mode and feel the revs climb higher and higher, along with a sporty note. Honda’s steering is a delight, offering light handling at low speeds and weight at high speeds. With a relatively stiff suspension and low center of gravity, this car can glide through corners when pushed and is a pure driving delight.
When a company has such a gem of an engine in the portfolio its hard to understand why is it not bringing this engine to India. The 1.5L NA IVTEC though good, is miles behind this 1.5L Turbo VTEC.
Cant really say anything about the suspension performance over bad patches or potholes since didn’t encounter any in the 1000km drive. Roads are an absolute delight in Malaysia.
The fuel efficiency was quite impressive, delivering a mileage of 16-17 kmpl on the highway at speeds of 110-120 kmph, and around 9-10 kmpl in city traffic and mountains.
By the way the cost of 95 Octane Petrol is 2.05 MYR per litre in Malaysia which translates to 41 INR per litre…!!!
ADAS L2
Malaysia boasts impressive highways with well-defined lane markings, making it an ideal environment for ADAS to shine. The ADAS, powered by a single windscreen-mounted camera, performs exceptionally well. Throughout more than half of my journey, I relied on Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, and Lane Departure Mitigation, all of which operated flawlessly. Initially, the Lane Departure Mitigation felt a bit aggressive, but once accustomed to it, the added assistance became quite enjoyable. With proper lane markings and disciplined driving culture from all motorists, the true potential of this technology becomes evident.
Honda please the CIVIC back to India with this Engine. Though dynamically a sedan is more sorted than a SUV, the low ground clearance (especially in India) and the low sitting position are potential deterrents. Couple that with Honda’s lack of intent in providing feel good/bling features and this car is never coming back. At least Honda should put this engine in Elevate just to compete with the rivals.
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