A journey of 5km to 28,000 km in 365 days!
Today, my Honda Civic completes one year with 28020 kms on the odometer. The ownership and driving experience over the last year has allowed me to observe the car’s dynamics closely. I have enjoyed every km on the Odo and cannot wait for some extensive road trips in the future. I bought it brand new on January 13, 2024 with 5 km on the odometer.
The review is meant to share my observations as a car enthusiast but also convey to others out there what owning a non-hybrid gas powered Honda means in 2025. The first observation is that I absolutely LOVE the colour!
Driving Experience
My Honda Civic Sport has a 2.0L DOHC I-VTEC engine that delivers 158 hp and 138 lb-feet of torque. It is mated to a 7-step CVT gearbox. The model comes with three drive modes ECON, NORMAL and SPORT. The calibration of the engine to the gearbox is phenomenal. Honda engineers have mated the car to a gearbox that does not feel groggy or strained under most conditions. The Civic Sport retains its sportiness even while being an excellent city car with commendable fuel economy figures. Currently, I get about 6.6l/100km or 37 MPG. Occasionally, I have also enjoyed using the SPORT mode.
Highway rides are butter smooth and cruising at a constant speed is the real charm. Overtakes, however, are a bit strained if I put my foot down on the pedal – a common CVT issue. I have a very sedate driving style, and I like to keep a light foot on the gas pedal. I am 100% sure that my driving style gels extremely well with the engine and gearbox. Steep hills or terrains are also a no-brainer for the Honda, and it holds ground really well without much pressure.
The speed pickup from 20-70 km/h is responsive and enjoyable. Moments like these make me appreciate the I-VTEC engine even more. Ultimately, my Civic is a smooth, reliable and fun highway cruiser and makes covering distances a hassle-free task.
So far, I have done two oil changes and regular maintenance as required.
Comfort and Convenience
The interior of the 2024 Civic is by far the most eye-catching part of the car. The well-laid-out, beautiful and practical interior scores 10/10 on all fronts. The gloss black panels complement the silver-finished honey-comb mesh design. Soft touch plastics and a carbon-fiber-like design on the centre console are some of the many features that stand out. However, my favourite are the knurled finished knobs for the A/C and temperature gauges. They make the perfect sound and uplift the overall look of the cabin.
There is plenty of storage space with cupholders all around. The infotainment touch screen works efficiently but feels a bit outdated for a 2024 car. It supports wired Apple Car Play and otherwise gets the job done. The heated steering wheel has a sleek design, and the buttons have good fit and finish. Lastly, the semi-digital instrument cluster or MID is simple and neat. It displays the right information and is easy to toggle through. The only downside is the placement of the fuel level indicator which is often below eye level and requires extra effort to look at while on the go.
Additionally, the front seats offer generous comfort and the cushioning is plush. Longer rides are comfortable and the lumbar support is adequate as well.
Safety Suite
My trim comes equipped with a wide variety of ADAS (driver assist) features like Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Vehicle Proximity Brake reminder. 10 airbags are standard across all trims. The driver assist systems while effective rely solely on a camera-based system which tends to give up in difficult weather conditions. Lastly, the cruise control is extremely sensitive to picking up speed. For example, if the cruise is set at 115km/h and it slows down due to the car ahead, it then goes hard on the pedal to come back to the set cruise speed. RPM blasts to over 3.5k and then comes to normal in a few seconds. I have learned to live with this and tend to take control myself in such situations.
My car was also subject to the nationwide safety recall issued for the sticky steering problem. Honda worked on the recall free of charge. Incidentally, I got the required parts replaced on 13 January 2025, the first ownership birthday of the car.
Design and Exterior
The car looks sleek and pretty from every angle. The sharp lines of the Civic are highlighted greatly by the Aegean Blue Metallic paint shade. The clamshell hood flows smoothly to the wrap-around sleek LED headlights. The looks and design are typical Honda – simple, practical and good-looking.
My favourite is the side profile from the front which is enhanced by the 18-inch gloss back alloy wheels. The rear taillights are positioned well and complement the rear profile of the car. The chrome exhaust tip is a neat little addition too. The boot is extremely spacious, and airport runs or shifting houses is not a challenge at all. Finally, rear seat space is best for two average-sized adults. Friends have had comfortable road trips in the rear but have complained a little about road noise filtering into the cabin.
For reference, here is a picture of a friend who is 6ft tall and sat in the rear after the front seat was set to my driving position. I am also 6ft tall and the knee room is quite evident in the picture.
I have always hand-washed my car or have gone to a touchless car wash. I take care of the paint and alloy wheels regularly and it has allowed me to keep the car free of any swirl marks to date. Next summer, I plan to get the windows tinted.
Gimmicks I love:
- The walkaway Auto-Lock feature
- Remote Start
- A very accurate AUTO high beam and dim feature
- Heated Steering and Wing Mirrors
- Paddle Shifters
- Graphics of the car ahead when cruise is in action
Ergonomic Issues and Flaws:
I dislike the wiper washer design as it is not effective at all. The 2022 and above Civics came with the washer attached to the wiper itself as opposed to the traditional sprayers placed on the hood. The washer wastes a lot of water and does not wipe the entire windshield properly. It leaves behind grime marks and the washer tank requires very frequent top-ups.
Moreover, the exit passage for the wiper fluid was not designed well. As seen in the picture above, the water leaves dirty streaks on the driver-side window and door. It becomes a hindrance on highway runs.
Being born a Honda means low ground clearance is in its DNA. The low stance though sporty requires extra care on steep speed bumps or raised plaza entrances. I remember the bottom of the front bumper scraped in Boston where I entered a rough and uneven plaza parking lot without paying attention.
Lastly, road noise is a persistent issue on highway runs. The 18-inch low-profile tires look amazing but come at the cost of excessive road noise filtering into the cabin. Also, every jolt of a pothole is felt inside the cabin. Noise insulation could be better, and I hope Honda works on resolving the issue.
Road Trip Log
- Milton, ON Canada to Brookline, Massachusetts USA – 1786 km
- Milton, ON to Quebec City, Quebec – 1756 km
- Milton ON Canada to Detroit, Michigan – 770 km
- Milton, ON to Severn Bridge, ON – 402 km
Add Ons:
HPD Front Bumper Gloss Black Spoilers
DOHC I-VTEC 2.0L stickers on the front two doors
Paint matching blue interior door panel covers
- Carbon Fiber covers for the A-pillar vents
- Honda Cushion Pads for all 4 seatbelts
- Black Emblems
- Anti-Skid Boot Mat
Interestingly, my friend Daan who is a new driver also drove my car on multiple occasions. Here is a little review from him,
“As a first time driver the Honda Civic provided a great experience. At no point were there any surprises or hiccups in the performance. The car was smooth and easy to drive, allowing me to practice at ease.”
Final Verdict
I have enjoyed every kilometre I have driven in the Civic. The car scores high on practicality, comfort and driving pleasure. It is a well-packaged combo of Japanese engineering, reliability and sportiness. Numerous road trips, highway and city driving along with chaotic traffic rides have allowed me to observe the dynamics of the car very closely. Like every car, it has its flaws, but it is worth the investment. I enjoy driving and as an auto enthusiast, my Civic ticks all the right boxes for me. It is the perfect first car to buy in Canada at this price point!
I look forward to the next 30k km and more with my Blue Blaze.
Written by: Shloak Srivastava
Know Your Car 
best blog about the best car lessgooooo
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