2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi - Jalopnik Comments

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

linky — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 09:48:50 EST

I have oogled this car on the street in europe. I looks a LOT better in person than in photos. You jalopnik boys should be putting a person in the photos standing next to show scale. Its a pretty low sitting stance. Q: What is jalopnik doing driving one of these around detroit anyway? Is honda considering it for US at all? Hmmmm...

linky

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

Pastrafer — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 04:39:37 EST

@Kelly: well, toyota has a 2.2 diesel with 177hp PS? and BMW's 2.0d with one turbo has around 175hp too

Pastrafer

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

superbmtsub — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 02:51:02 EST

@UDMAN: That Si was ugly.

superbmtsub

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

sos10 — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 22:29:23 EST

@UDMAN: Times have changed though.

sos10

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

UDMan — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 21:49:49 EST

Hello, do you guys remember the Civic Si hatch from a couple of years ago? These were imported (yes Imported) from the UK, and did not sell very well at all. In fact, if memory serves me correctly, Honda lost money on each and every one they imported (like the last Insights).

So with this as a background, do you really think they are going to do that again? Their plants in NA are running at full capacity, turning out Civics, Accords, Odysseys, Ridgelines, Pilots, MDX, and the TL's.

UDMan

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

Kelly — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 21:09:10 EST

This will not sell well in the US. Not because it isn't a rockin' ride, if you want compact, nicely done, downright luxurious compared to 15 years ago, and will probably be mostly affordable. It won't sell because the vast majority of those in the US equate diesel with either hulking, slow, city bus, or worse, the gasoline conversion diesels from GM in the early-80's.

I'm still amazed a 2.2L diesel puts out 138HP. My wife's old '81 240D, granted it was normally-aspirated, produced something like 63 HP. 0-60? Maybe... As long as it's not uphill or into a stiff headwind.

Kelly

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

jolietjake — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 17:59:58 EST

I like everything about it except the stereo. I'm not a person who would usually care about this. But that CD play looks VERY proprietary and there is no room in the area to mount something new. I can just imagine the $800 charge from the dealer every time it eats a cd.

jolietjake

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

bmoredlj — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 17:13:04 EST

That light bar is sooooo...Mercurial. But I like it.

And the photography does rule.

bmoredlj

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

charles_barrett — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:43:02 EST

I believe the U.S. gets the Euro-spec Accord as an Acura. Maybe this ought to come to America as an Acura as well. The sheetmetal is eye-catching as all get out. I would think that since there is no expectaion that fuel prices will go anywhere other than up, an entry luxo econobox would find a market.

charles_barrett

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

gotsmart — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:12:21 EST

DEFINITELY WANT.

Honda needs to bring this car over here. The Fit is a great idea and definitely utilitarian, but it's just a wee bit small. The Civic line needs to have a hatchback in it, out of pure principle.

And a Honda turbodiesel? Bring it!

gotsmart

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

Eric Merrill — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:50:18 EST

WANT

Eric Merrill

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

turbo zero — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:40:47 EST

@akirachan: You can get the UK market Type-R in Aus, but the poms (at least Evo mag) are complaining about not getting the JDM Type-R, which is based on the same platform as the US-spec (so has the double wishbones all round, which this lacks). I just wish that you could get the JDM Type-R in this wrapper. I don't mind carrying a few revs, bugger torque.

turbo zero

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

Ash78 — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:47:53 EST

@elhigh: UK reviews put it at 55mpg (UK gallons) on "combined", which is combination driving...though typically closer to the US highway figure. Converted to US mpg, that's 46mpg.

So guessing, probably 38/50 or something along those lines.

Also does 0-60 in 8.6, which is respectable. This engine should be here in the Accord next year, too, which will be a great combination of size/value.

Ash78

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

Elhigh — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:16:52 EST

What are the mileage numbers? Diesel = good, but I associate diesels with ~45mpg in a blocky Passat. These easy curves suggest it'll knock a Passat's mileage results into the weeds.

Elhigh

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

TorkLugnutz — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:12:46 EST

Cool photo. This will be a nice car to pick up used someday, as long as there are enough competing diesels to take away some of the premium from the resale value.

TorkLugnutz

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

93celicaGT2 — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:00:08 EST

God i hate the dash on these things...

93celicaGT2

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

RoninianHoon — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:56:15 EST

Hey Honda I see a Prius killer! Thats given you sell it here in the states. I'd be 1st in line.

RoninianHoon

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

dylanseals — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:55:10 EST

@A strolling player: You called it, it's not redundant on either side of the pond.

dylanseals

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:43:15 EST

@A strolling player: The screen in the center of the analog gauges shows speed along with other selectable information.

Ben Wojdyla

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

eltonito — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:36:24 EST

@TPSreports: I'm really curious what the real numbers are as well, along with the variant of diesel fuel they are running.

Does it get better MPG with ULSD or the still-able-to-be-found old-fashoined #2 Diesel?

eltonito

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

crxtra — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:35:43 EST

RE: the rear spoiler/rear-view blocker. It seems they didn't learn their lesson from the original CRX Si. I had one and I was forever taking second- and third-glances before backing up and the one day I didn't [in snow, no less], I was introduced to a parking lot concrete pole. The nice part was the doofuses who insist on driving with bright lights on behind me, or the macho men with sky-high 4x4s were prevented from blinding me completely. Nevertheless, I say bring it to the states; my kids are just about big enough for me to step down from the Odyssey.

crxtra

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

A strolling player — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:31:15 EST

Wait, redundant digital speedometer? The Civic Hybrid I drove a couple years ago only had the one digital one. Is this different in Europe?

A strolling player

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

Maymar — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:24:22 EST

They need to bring this over to North America as soon as yesterday, but I don't think the Civic we get is all that boring. It's not quite as space-age out there like this, but it's still the swoopy oddball of the compact class. But yes, diesel engine please. Two, even (what's a good hatchback without a backseat fulla engine?).

Maymar

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

Unregular — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:13:07 EST

i DO like the interior! yes!

Unregular

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

Parramore64 — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:11:45 EST

Count me among the un-excited. Maybe if the WRX didn't exist, if my daily driver had less than 251 lb. ft. of torque, or if diesel was cheap.

I get that it's different...I just don't get who could be excited outside of US spec Civic drivers.

Parramore64

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

JHJVJR — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:04:54 EST

@Benson2175: We do. The problem with the current Canadian CSX is that when you look at it, it is very obvious that it's a Honda Civic. I think that would hurt Acura's branding in the US. But if they switched to the EuroCivic for the CSX, I think it would be distinct enough from what is sold in the USA as a Civic that it would be good from a branding perspective.

JHJVJR

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

JHJVJR — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:02:49 EST

@akirachan: So it is based on the Fit? That's what I originally thought, but someone else on this thread told me otherwise.

JHJVJR

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

akirachan — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:00:19 EST

I love the thing! it's based on the Fit so the rear seats do that wonderful multipflip-up thing. I just don't see why it's only sold in the European market. You can't even get it in Japan. I vote YES!

akirachan

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

Benson2175 — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:54:57 EST

@JHJVJR:
We think alike.

Benson2175

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

Benson2175 — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:54:18 EST

This is a great design, one that really stands out and will look good many years down the road. In Canada Honda sells a premium Civic dubbed the Acura CSX; it's basically a sedan Civic Si with leather and all the goodies and JDM Civic styling. I don't know how well it's selling but if they brought this euro-Civic over instead I think it would sell like gang busters; Canadians aren't as averse to Hatches. Alas I'm sure they'll continue to play it safe though.

Benson2175

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

TheTick247 — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:51:00 EST

Please, oh please, oh PUHLEEEEEEEEZE, bring this to the USA soon! Don't change anything (except maybe the exhanust, so it's 50-state compliant)!

Me likey!

TheTick247

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

JHJVJR — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:49:31 EST

They should sell this as an Acura CSX, which is already sold in Canada as a US-Civic based model. Switch it to the EuroCivic, and make it available in the US.

JHJVJR

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

dylanseals — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:38:31 EST

@TheTooth: I agree, a buyer considering this car would not be stopping by any of the Big Three's dealerships to see a <12K vehicle.

It's arguable that the Prius has already carved out a niche in the market for this vehicle. The Prius was an ugly and boring to drive car that seems to have sold really well. This has the same potential for fuel economy with better styling and performance. I think it would be a slam dunk in the current north american market!

dylanseals

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

DoctorNine — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:37:54 EST

I like it. We need it. We won't get it.

This is life in America. (Goes to soak his head.)

DoctorNine

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

JHJVJR — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:36:52 EST

@JHJVJR: Meant to say "subcompact", not compact.

JHJVJR

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

JHJVJR — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:36:06 EST

@sos10: Then these, along with the Alfa, are officially my new favorite door handles.

JHJVJR

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

halfshafter — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:36:01 EST

I dig this little bugger's styling, it's got Wessonality.

Inside, the dashboard and instrument panel look similar to NA spec Civics, yet looks more sophisticated.

I rate it 8/10 for execution. Bam!

halfshafter

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

Isetta — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:34:00 EST

ASH I respectively disagree. I think the styling will hold up quite well in the coming years. This car has an especially nice rakish profile and clean lines, very Italian to me. Front and rear fascias can be easily modified for future models.

Isetta

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

sos10 — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:33:57 EST

@JHJVJR: No, it is the same platform as the US Civic. The door handles are there, well hidden in the window.. a la Alfa Romeo 156.

sos10

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

JHJVJR — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:32:46 EST

@toasteroven: I agree with you, but I think that's why they should be offering both. Ford should offer the Ford Focus and a Mercury EuroFocus. GM should offer the Chevrolet Aveo and a "premium" compact like the one they are considering for Saab, Saturn, or Buick. I don't even know how to address Chrysler's situation.

JHJVJR

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

sos10 — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:32:02 EST

@toasteroven: They are not necessarily costlier. Actually ALL European build car are sold for less money in the US than they are sold for in Europe.

sos10

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

JHJVJR — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:29:02 EST

@BEN WOJDYLA: Is the EuroCivic platform based on the Fit platform? If so, I wish we had this rather than the Fit.

Also, how do the rear doors open? I didn't see any handles, but they don't look like RX-8 type suicide doors.

JHJVJR

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

TheTooth — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:28:43 EST

@toasteroven: I understand what you are saying, but I've always wondered why nobody is trying now that people want eco-friendly gas-sipping vehicles but don't want a cardboard interior.

Seriously, how hard would it be for them to import that to sell to the people who would like a nicer Civic? Hell, they could even badge it as an Acura. People who buy Acura's aren't expecting a $10k car.

TheTooth

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

FreeMan — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:27:01 EST

Pure Ugly.

That last picture makes it look like a Prius that got sanded down a bit in the back. That's not a compliment.

Now, a 6-speed torque monster motor is a good thing, just not in this wrapper.

FreeMan

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

disgustepated — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:26:37 EST

damn, I wish my 07 Si had that interior. :(

disgustepated

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

JHJVJR — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:25:18 EST

I really like everything about this car, especially that torque figure.

JHJVJR

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

beercheck — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:25:04 EST

@Ray Wert: Oh. Heh. Look at that.

beercheck

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

maxforrest32 — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:24:00 EST

Son of a bitch. I want it I want it I want it I want it I want it I want it I WANT IT!

Didn't they change the import laws recently so that as long as it wasn't a model of a car that exisits in the states (i.e. you can't import a UK spec WRX because its sold here) but you can if the model/platform were never sold here?

If so...I WANT ONE!

maxforrest32

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

TPSreports — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:23:01 EST

I'm gonna guess mileage is low-40s in the city and high-50s on the highway, maybe even topping 60mpg.

TPSreports

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

toasteroven — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:22:50 EST

European cars = nicer interiors, more options, better mileage, costlier

American cars = trim the budget wherever, less options, as big and as cheap as possible

That's the reason the Euro Focus, Mondeo, etc are not sold here; they would be priced above what their domestic counterparts sit at, and Ford thinks that the average American is not ready for either diesels or paying for what they're getting.

Would I pay a premium for a Mondeo? Hell yes. Would average Joe? Probably not.

Unless Dodge, GM, and Ford all swapped out their bargain-basement compact and mid-size sedans and coupes, one will not take the lead over the other. They can't risk losing sales to a cheaper, devalued competitor.

toasteroven

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

Ray Wert — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:22:30 EST

@beercheck: Dude, it says it at the bottom of the post. ;)

Ray Wert

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

Ash78 — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:20:04 EST

I like everything about it except the styling. Trying to be objective about it, it still looks like it will be dated pretty quickly. But big points for originality, something Honda is lacking on this side of the pond (including Acura).

The economy is the hero for this thing, so I can't wait to see if it lived up to expectations.

Ash78

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

graverobber- Same great taste, new low price! — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:16:35 EST

So is this the engine that Honda will put in the '09 Accord? Geez, it would go nicely in the CRV too...

graverobber- Same great taste, new low price!

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

rgseidl — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:14:41 EST

@ Morphine -

it would probably wear an Acura badge in the US, just to keep people like you happy.

rgseidl

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

dylanseals — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:14:38 EST

@Dr. Spaceman: That's a pretty standard redline for a diesel engine.

dylanseals

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

beercheck — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:14:00 EST

Fantastic photography. Whodunnit?

beercheck

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

dylanseals — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:13:49 EST

I looked into Grey Marketing this car early last year. I wanted it that bad.

dylanseals

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

Dr. Spaceman — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:13:04 EST

I swear to god, that last picture looks like an imaginary Subaru 2009 SVX STI. Love? Hate? Does not compute.

But 4500 redline?

Dr. Spaceman

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

dylanseals — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:09:41 EST

Best Interior of any budget Import!

dylanseals

2007 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi

Morphine — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:08:24 EST

There's something terribly, terribly wrong with this car. It's the principle of the thing.

A Honda . . . with torque, and a redline under 150 billion?

Morphine