Honda Civic Tourer – The Best Small Family Estate Cars

Does the petrol version of spacious new estate stack up?

The Honda Civic Tourer 1.6 i-DTEC that we drove in Issue 1,297 turned out to be one of the best cars the brand makes, but how does the petrol-powered model compare?

Honda is playing down the petrol Civic Tourer’s chances in the UK – where it expects just one in every five cars sold to use the familiar 1.8-liter i-VTEC engine from the five-door hatch. Still, in entry-level S trim, the petrol Civic Tourer is $1,826 cheaper than the diesel model. It’s also close to a second quicker from 0-62mph and has a higher top speed as well.

It shares the same class-leading 624-liter boot, and although that figure includes a hidden stowage space under the false floor, the loading bay and seats are impressively versatile, and you can rearrange the boot layout with just one hand.

In town, the petrol engine is refined, too, even if the lack of a turbo means it has to be worked hard. The limited in-gear grunt is particularly noticeable on the motorway, and you’ll often find yourself grabbing a lower gear in the six-speed manual box.

A traditional five-speed torque converter automatic is also available, but it blunts the performance and pushes up CO₂ emissions by 7g/km to 153g/km. by contrast, VW Group rivals with a seven-speed DSG gearbox produce as little as 116g/km.

Choosing the S trim also means you get less standard equipment, but the interior is well finished, and basics like Bluetooth, alloys and air-con are all covered. However, S models have to do without the clever new ADS damping system – it’s not even available as an option.

Even so, the standard set-up is firm but well controlled, giving a comfortable ride on all but the smoothest surfaces.

The 1.8-liter petrol version of the Civic Tourer is faster off the line than the diesel, and quieter than the diesel in town, plus just as spacious and cheaper. Yet it feels less able as a relaxing family car, as it needs to be driven hard, and it’s not that efficient. The diesel is our pick.

Verdict

We can see the appeal of the petrol Civic Tourer – it’s more responsive and quieter than the diesel in town, plus just as spacious and cheaper. Yet it feels less able as a relaxing family car, as it needs to be driven hard, and it’s not that efficient. The diesel is our pick.