Honda Civic 2020 Review

The C-segment sedan market has always been a core choice for Malaysian consumers, needing to balance practicality for daily commuting with a certain level of comfort and brand reputation. The 2020 Honda Civic 1.8 S, serving as the entry-level variant in the lineup, offers features such as keyless entry and electric seats at a price just over 100,000 MYR, which once made it a popular choice in the market. Through this static experience and dynamic test drive, we aim to verify whether it can maintain the balanced performance typical of the Civic family while providing sufficient power, and at the same time, identify its core competitiveness within the same price range.

In terms of appearance, the 2020 Civic 1.8 S continues the iconic fastback design of the series, with smooth overall lines and a sporty look. Even as the entry-level version, it retains a high level of recognition. The front features the signature Honda family wide chrome trim connecting the headlights on both sides. The trapezoidal lower grille, paired with black honeycomb trim, enhances the visual layering. The headlight assembly consists of a mix of halogen and LED lights, with the LED daytime running lights extending as strips to the edge of the hood, offering a striking effect when illuminated. The automatic headlight function improves everyday convenience. On the side, the dual waistline design runs from the fender to the rear, complemented by 16-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, further enhancing the sporty vibe. At the rear, a small spoiler and the L-shaped LED taillights echo each other, while the black diffuser-style design on the lower rear bumper adds tension to the rear view. Overall, the exterior of the 1.8 S doesn’t appear cheap just because it’s an entry-level version, maintaining the youthful and sporty positioning of the Civic.

Inside the car, the interior of the 1.8 S mainly uses dark tones with silver trim accents, resulting in a simple and neat layout. The upper section of the dashboard is covered with soft-touch materials, which feel decent, while the inside of the door panels is wrapped in leather, adding a sense of quality. The central control area is equipped with a 7-inch touch screen that supports Sound Plus functionality, offering smooth interface response. Daily operations such as adjusting the air conditioning or switching music are quite convenient. The instrument cluster is fully digital with various display modes that clearly show information like speed, fuel consumption, and mileage. In terms of features, keyless entry and engine start come as standard, eliminating the need to frequently fetch the key. The driver’s seat is equipped with 8-way electric adjustment, making it easy to find a comfortable driving position. The rear provides air conditioning vents and a central armrest, enhancing comfort for rear passengers. The storage performance is commendable, with a spacious central storage box in the front, door bins that can hold large bottles, and a trunk capacity of 519 liters. The rear seats support a 60:40 split-fold configuration, allowing for larger items to fit—perfectly sufficient for daily family needs.

In terms of space, thanks to the 2700mm wheelbase, the front and rear seating areas are quite spacious. A tester with a height of 175cm sitting in the front had a fist-worth of headroom remaining, while the rear offered around two fists of legroom and one fist of headroom. Even for long journeys, rear passengers won’t feel cramped. The inclusion of ISO FIX child seat anchors also makes it convenient for families with children to use.

In terms of dynamic driving, the 1.8 S is equipped with a 1.8L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum power of 141PS and a maximum torque of 174N·m, paired with a CVT transmission. During the initial acceleration phase, the power response is quite linear, without the abrupt feel commonly found in turbocharged models. When commuting in urban areas, pressing the accelerator by one-third is sufficient to provide enough power, making it easy to handle traffic jams or low-speed following. During acceleration, the CVT transmission delivers excellent smoothness, with almost no noticeable shift jerking. When overtaking is necessary, a deep press on the accelerator will swiftly push the engine speed to the torque peak range above 4300 rpm, significantly enhancing power output, allowing the overtaking maneuver to be completed smoothly. However, on highways, when the speed exceeds 120km/h, the acceleration capability weakens, necessitating sufficient distance for overtaking in advance.

In terms of handling and chassis performance, the front MacPherson and rear multi-link independent suspension combination are mainstream setups in vehicles of the same class. The steering wheel has a moderate level of effort, with relatively precise steering. During daily driving, the steering feels light, while at high speeds, it becomes stable, providing sufficient confidence. The suspension tuning leans toward comfort, filtering out most minor bumps on the road. When passing speed bumps or uneven sections, the body does not exhibit significant bouncing, ensuring passenger comfort in the rear seats. However, while cornering quickly, the suspension's support is slightly inadequate, leading to some minor body roll. That said, the overall posture remains stable, without compromising driving safety.

The fuel efficiency of the 1.8 S is a highlight. During our test drive of 50km in urban traffic and 50km on highways, the combined fuel consumption was approximately 7.2L/100km. This result is above average for naturally aspirated models. Coupled with the 47L fuel tank capacity, the vehicle's maximum range on a full tank is around 650km, ensuring that frequent refueling is unnecessary. As for braking performance, the front and rear ventilated disc brakes deliver uniform braking power, and the brake pedal provides clear feedback. During emergency braking, the car remains stable without veering off course.

As for driving and riding comfort, the vehicle's noise control performs well. While driving in the city, both tire noise and wind noise are minimal. On highways, wind noise increases slightly but does not affect normal conversations among passengers inside the car. The seats offer moderate support and cushioning, preventing discomfort during long drives. Worth mentioning is that the 1.8 S is also equipped with rain-sensing wipers and a 220V power socket, features that further enhance daily usability.

Overall, the primary advantage of the 2020 Honda Civic 1.8 S lies in its balanced performance. Compared to other competitors in the same price range, it boasts a youthful and sporty exterior design, as well as practical space and features. Priced at just over 100,000 Malaysian Ringgit, it includes features like keyless entry, electric seats, and a fully electronic instrument panel, making it highly cost-effective. Compared to its 1.5T sibling, the 1.8 S may have slightly less power, but it is nearly 16,000 Ringgit cheaper and offers lower maintenance costs in the long run. For consumers with a limited budget who prioritize reliability, it is a more practical choice.

In terms of the target audience, the 2020 Honda Civic 1.8 S is suitable for family users who focus on balanced performance. Its space meets the needs of daily travel and family outings, its fuel consumption is economical, and its configuration covers most usage scenarios. At the same time, its youthful and sporty appearance can also attract some budget-conscious young individuals who pursue uniqueness. If you do not require strong power but want a reliable, practical, and somewhat refined C-segment sedan, the 1.8 S would be a good choice.

Overall, the 2020 Honda Civic 1.8 S is a "well-rounded" model without obvious drawbacks. It delivers balanced performance across various aspects, and combined with Honda's brand reliability and a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty policy, it maintains strong competitiveness in its price segment.