Honda Civic: Variants explained

The Honda Civic is one of the more good looking and better selling compact sedans out there in the global market. The Japanese automobile manufacturer brought out the 10th-generation of the ever so popular Civic in 2015, and the four-wheel beauty is still doing just as good in the market as it has been doing since 1972, the year of its inception.

If you are also looking for a compact sedan with alluring looks and best-in-class features & powertrain options, that too at a not so high price, the Honda Civic could very well be the car you want. Honda offers the 2018 Civic in the UAE in four different variants, and that's where the trouble is accepted to begin. To make sure that you purchase the variant that suits you the best, this story is going to be of great help. So, let's know the different variants of Honda Civic and the stuff that they have on offer.

Honda Civic DX 1.6

Out of the four different variants on offer, the Honda Civic DX 1.6 is the entry-level model for the UAE masses. However, do not emphasis too much on the term "entry-level" as the DX 1.6 trim in itself is a great option for someone looking for a value-for-money compact sedan. Starting with the exterior, we find the Honda Civic DX 1.6 flaunting slim LED DRLs, 16-inch steel wheels, rear fog lamps, a stylish chrome grille, and LED turn signals on the ORVMs.

Speaking of the interior, the cabin inside the Honda Civic DX 1.6 is quite a good place to be in thanks to the automatic climate control, multifunction steering wheel with audio controls, cruise control, electronic parking brake, 5-inch infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity and four speakers, 60:40 split rear seat, and much more.

Power comes from a 1.6-litre four-cylinder 16 valve i-VTEC SOHC engine that makes 123 hp and 151 Nm, power is delivered to the wheels via a CVT. At last, the safety equipment on the Honda Civic DX 1.6 includes dual front SRS airbags, ABS with EBD, traction control, hill start assist, vehicle stability assist, emergency stop signal, brake override system, engine immobiliser, ISOFIX child seat mounts, angle handling assist, and tyre pressure monitoring system.

Honda Civic LX Sport 1.6

Coming on to the second model in the Civic lineup in the UAE, let's talk about the LX Sport 1.6. The second model in the lineup brings onboard the same set of exterior features as the DX 1.6 with updates & additional elements like 17-inch alloy wheels, smart entry, rear parking sensors, decklid spoiler, and front & rear fog lamps.

On the inside, the likes of push-button start/stop, paddle shifters, rear A/C vents, and sport pedals form the additional features. The powertrain and the safety equipment on the Honda Civic LX Sport 1.6 remain identical to the DX 1.6.

Honda Civic EXI 2.0

The major change on the Honda Civic EXI 2.0 comes in the form of a 2.0-litre DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder 16 value engine instead of the 1.6-litre unit. The larger engine produces 158 hp of maximum power and a peak torque of 187 Nm. Thanks to the more power, the EXI 2.0 provides you with better performance and a bit of thrill. The gearbox, however, is still the same CVT unit.

While most of the exterior of the Honda Civic EXI 2.0 is similar to the previous two variants, peculiarities like 16-inch alloy wheels and a sunroof increase the premium feel of the sedan. The updates and comfort creatures inside the EXI 2.0 comprises of dual-zone automatic climate control, walk away locking, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, leather-wrapped steering wheels & gear knob, Honda LaneWatch, and a rearview camera. Safety equipment on the Honda Civic EXI sees the addition of side and curtain airbags.

Honda CIVIC RS 1.5 TURBO

The RS 1.5 TURBO is the range-topping model of the compact sedan in the UAE. As the name suggests, the Honda Civic RS 1.5 TURBO is a performance-oriented and sportier variant of the Japanese icon. In terms of the exterior features, the top-of-the-line model vaunts dual exhaust outlets, 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, LED fog lamps, and a wing trunk spoiler with high mount LED stoplight in addition to the other standard elements.

The interior of the Honda Civic RS 1.5 TUBRO is also much plusher than the other variants. The upholstery is now all-leather and other updates like i-Dual Zone automatic climate control, navigation, HDMI port, and a multi-angle rearview camera also make their way to the four-door sedan. The title of the variant is then justified by the 1.5-lite turbocharged DOHC VTEC four-pot mill. Power figures read 180 hp of maximum power and a peak torque of 220 Nm. While a manual gearbox would have made the deal a lot more sweet, Honda decided to equip the RS 1.5 TURBO with a CVT as well. Safety equipment on the Honda Civic RS 1.5 TURBO is identical to the EXI 2.0 model.

These were the different models of the Honda Civic that the UAE masses can get their hands on. Honda Civic price starts from AED 69,900. To be honest, all of the four models make for a good deal, don't they? Anyway, we believe you'd now be quite sure about the variant that suits your needs the best. So, why wait and waste time then? Head over to the nearest Honda dealership and get yourself the Japanese icon.

Also read: 2019 Honda Civic Type R comes with new features