2019 Honda Civic 1.8 Technology & Safety Review

Going down a variant in the Philippines can be a hard decision for some car-buyers as it involves losing some features found on range-toppers – may it be important or superfluous, it’s your call, really. But, for this year, the Honda Civic 1.8 E mid-variant isn’t so much of a compromise, especially if you consider the P423,000 price difference from the top-of-the-line Civic RS Turbo.

To give you a better look, here’s a technology and safety review of what you can expect in the middle child of the Civic family.

What’s included: speed-sensing door locks, keyless entry, push-start ignition, digital instrument cluster, auto up/down windows (driver and front passenger), automatic LED headlights, Eco-coaching and Econ button, steering wheel audio and call controls, e-parking brake with brake hold, cruise control, and 7-inch infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple Carplay, and Android Auto.

Aside from losing the 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline mill, the Honda Civic 1.8 gives you almost a complete set of niceties even as a mid-variant. The half-a-million price difference doesn’t reflect if you’re for tech features in a car. Even better, Honda reinstated the tactile knobs for the infotainment and climate control system, which are things needed for a more road-focused driving.

For the record, the only things you’ll probably miss are the auto-dimming rearview mirror, dual-zone climate control, navigation, power-adjustable driver’s seat, and ambient lighting.

What you won’t like: not much to complain except for the flat-sounding 6-speaker system

There’s nothing much to complain in the Honda Civic 1.8’s set of tech features, except for the sound that the 6-speaker system makes. It’s a bit flat and lacks depth, but this comes more of a nitpick rather than a full-blown complaint. Honda could have also added rear USB ports for those who need to charge their gadgets while seated in the back.

What’s included: front dual SRS airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX child seat tethers, hill start assist, stability assist, and seatbelt reminders for the front occupants.

Again, comparing to the range-topper, the Civic 1.8 only loses side airbags in its set of safety features. For its class, however, the Civic isn't a standout, especially with the arrival of the all-new Mazda3, but it’s at par with the rest of its current rivals. For security, it has an immobilizer, security alarm, and a walk-away automatic lock – the latter is a heaven-sent feature for those who forget to lock their cars.