New 2020 Honda Civic is Coming Later Today, and This is How It Feels to Drive it

After making us wait since last September, Honda Malaysia will finally be presenting the facelifted 10th gen Civic in all its glory tomorrow.

Details like the pricing and the list of variant-specific features are still somewhat limited, but that is only until tomorrow’s event.

What we DO know is that the Civic will come with Honda Sensing, which offers a complete package of safety features which include:

• Adaptive CruiseControl (ACC) with Low Speed Follow (LSF)
• Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
• Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
• Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS)
• Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
• Auto High-Beam (AHB)

Further complementing the features listed above is the Honda LaneWatch camera. Other standard features in the new Civic are Remote Engine Start, Electric Parking Brake, and a Front Sensor.

It also comes with standard safety features including 6 Airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Multi-Angle Rear-view Camera, and ISOFIX.

On the exterior, new features include 18-inch wheels, Piano Black front grille, redesigned front and rear bumpers, a new rear spoiler, as well as a rear bumper garnish.

Under the hood, there will be no changes, as the Civic will still be powered by the existing 1.5-litre turbocharged VTEC engine producing 173 PS and 220 Nm of torque, as well as the 1.8-litre engine which makes 139 PS and 174 Nm of torque.

So, if you’re one of those who hasn’t got behind the wheels of the Civic, here’s a quick recap of how the car feels to drive. 

As for the range-topping 1.5 VTEC Turbo, there is not going to be any ‘VTEC opening’ or ‘turbo kicking in’, or anything of that sort with the new Civic.

What we have here is a very refined 1.5-litre engine with a ‘soft’ turbo that makes the car just as capable as a naturally aspirated 2.4-litre sedan, where power delivery is very linear and civilised. At the end of the day, it is still a comfort-oriented car for the masses, but with a dash of sportiness.

As for the 1.8-litre variant, the car is powered by a tweaked version of the 9th gen Civic’s naturally aspirated R-Series engine, which pushes 141 PS and 174Nm of maximum torque.

The only difference here is that it is mated to a CVT gearbox, unlike its predecessor’s five-speed auto. The car feels lively at low rpm during city driving, but while picking up speed, the engine needs to be worked hard.

In terms of ride and handling, the new Civic’s suspensions and chassis are setup more towards comfort, so there is still noticeable body-roll.

But it is still a very enjoyable car to drive, thanks to the well-weighted steering which responds quite precisely to driver input. Noise insulation and refinement have are also quite impressive.  

Overall, if we are to compare it with its rivals, it falls behind cars like the new Mazda 3 in terms of outright driving pleasure, but as far as spaciousness, features, and comfort are concerned, the Civic is definitely up there among the best.