A practical traveling companion

If Honda Cars Phils., Inc. was targeting the market segment of middle management professionals, married with 1-2 children, and is very conscious about the family budget, then it may have hit the bullseye with the 2001 Honda Civic 1.5 LXi. If you belong to that segment, this car will fit you like a glove.

The LXi shares the new Civic body with the 1.6 VTi and VTi-S, and has most of the amenities of its more expensive brethren. The new body boasts of a compact front design, a significantly roomier interior and bigger trunk space. The short nose was due to the new front suspension design, a ladder sub-frame, a high mounted gearbox and a compact engine design.

The new 1.5-liter 16-valve sohc engine is a few ponies short of the horsepower rating of the 1.6-liter VTEC engine (110 vs 130 PS), but still a gallop more powerful than its competitors, including some 1.6-liter engines of other brands. It is stingy with its fuel consumption, yet has enough oomph in the upper engine speeds to satisfy even the consummate Formula 1 fanatic. The broader torque curve ensures excellent acceleration and less down shifting when passing slower cars.

The Civic’s interior has a decidedly industrial look, avoiding ornamental faux wood panels, and concentrating on a flushed fit and high quality finish. The driver grips a new 4-spoke steering wheel and faces a clearly legible instrument panel with two large dials for the tachometer and the speedometer (with digital trip odometer), and two smaller ones for the engine temperature and the fuel gauges. The controls are readily accessible and ergonomically designed. The aircon controls have rotary knobs that are logically instinctive to use. Along with the jog dial of the factory supplied Fujitsu Ten cassette tuner, the controls rotate clockwise for more volume (fan speed, temp. range for the A/C controls, music level for the stereo) and counterclockwise for less. You don’t need an engineering orientation to master these controls.

Rear seat passengers are treated to a flat floor, which was the result of an intelligent rerouting of some under chassis components. Interior quietness is likewise improved with most of the road noise, vibration and harshness suppressed by a generous amount of sound absorbing materials. Some thoughtful designs are likewise crafted into the interior like card holders, front and rear beverage holders, illuminated window switch, lidded vanity mirrors and useful cubby holes throughout.

For practical people, the LXi may be a more sensible choice than the VTi or the VTi-S. Besides the lower price (P688,000 with the 5-speed manual, P718,000 for the auto), it has unique features that make it more ideal for the daily traffic of Metro Manila: For example, the 14-inch wheels are covered with 185/70R-14 tires. The taller aspect ratio absorbs road shock better than 65-series tires and translates to a quieter ride. The black side mirrors can better weather the occasional scrapes from the tight traffic than body colored ones.

The glass-mounted antenna is likewise a welcome convenience. My only complaint is that the factory-installed stereo does not have a removable front panel. Since it is mounted high in the center of the dashboard, it is very visible and inviting to thieves. A removable front panel will lessen the risk of a break-in, although HCPI has thoughtfully installed a keyless entry/security system with a blinking LED on the steering column.

Overall, the Honda Civic 1.5 LXi is a practical choice for a family car. It has the flair and styling of up-market automobiles, European brands included, and the roominess and comfort of larger sedans. It has excellent fuel economy, power to spare and a smooth, supple ride. And with Honda’s enviable brand image, a healthy resale value is practically guaranteed. The only choices left are whether to get it with the automatic or the manual transmission. And which color the better half will agree to.