First Generation
The First-Generation Honda Civic was introduced in 1972, and was meant to be a car that could be sold across the world. The Civic was one of Honda’s first cars to be sold in Europe, and it achieved instant success thanks to its practicality, compact design and excellent fuel efficiency. The Civic used Honda’s Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion engine, which helped it to be one of the first cars to comply with the 1970 clean air act, the strictest emissions regulations at the time. The first generation Civic was made at the Suzuka Factory in Japan and sold over 1 million units within the first four years in production. This helped it stay in production till 1979, before being replaced by the second generation.
Second Generation
The second generation Civic came with a number of changes when compared to the original. For a start, it comes with an updated iteration of the Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion engine, making it smoother, more powerful, whilst also being more economical. Honda expanded the range of models to include a saloon, with a 1.5 litre engine, a hatchback and an estate, and you could also now have the Civic with a 5 speed manual gearbox. This generation of Civic also introduced the distinctive trapezoid design within the front fascia and headlights, to give it a more stylish and angular appearance. As customer demands changed, the second generation Civic was replaced just 4 years after its introduction, given the requirement for larger vehicles to suit families.
Third Generation
The third generation Civic came in 1983 with a much wider wheelbase and an enhance design, with a more angular approach. This generation of Civic is also notable for introducing a key Honda principle, ‘Man Maximum-Machine-Minimum principle, a more human focused approach to design which utilises technology to prioritise the needs of the driver and passengers. This is something Honda have carried on into the current generation of models across their range, to help deliver space and practicality. This generation could be had in three different body styles a three door that was meant to focus on sportier driving dynamics, a four door saloon which was meant to deliver a more practical alternative to the three door, and a five door estate, the shuttle wagon, which delivered incredible space and versatility. There was also a sportier version, the Si variant, which came with a 1.6-litre engine, capable of 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds!
This generation was also the basis of the iconic Honda CR-X, a two-seater wedge shaped coupe that is arguably one of the most iconic cars of the 1980’s!
Fourth Generation
The fourth generation Civic came in 1987 with an array of new engine options, with Honda’s VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) system. The variable timing mechanism within this new range of powertrains was revolutionary in engine technology, helping to deliver better engine performance at higher revs, and better fuel consumption at lower revs, which helped this generation of Civic to land a number of different awards. The Fourth Generation Civic was also the basis for an updated variant of the CR-X, which featured a fresher design which looked more sleek.
Fifth Generation
The Fifth Generation Civic was introduced for 1991, with a much sleeker design, allowing for better aerodynamics and a much sportier appeal, which was done without impeding the practicality that Civic owners had grown to know and love, which was helped by an increase in size. In terms of body styles, the previous generation Civic estate was carried on until 1995, meaning that for a while, the Civic range was a mixture of the fourth and fifth generation. This meant that the Civic fourth generation was available as a three-door hatchback and a four-door saloon.
This generation again was the basis for the CR-X, but this time, instead of it being a wedge shaped coupe, the CR-X was now a targa top convertible.
Sixth Generation
The sixth generation Civic was designed to be better value for money than other vehicles in its class. In the 1990s, fuel efficiency and other environmental actions had become more of a concern for customers when choosing a new car. Therefore, Honda introduced a new version of the newly developed VTEC engine. This was also available with a new transmission, ‘Hondamatic’, an automatically continuously variable transmission (CVT) which offered seamless gear changes, without affecting its fuel economy.
This generation of Civic introduced a performance focussed iteration of the Civic, the Type R. Given how popular performance-oriented hatchbacks had become, it made sense for Honda to release one of their own and the Type R went on to make Honda one of the most competitive manufacturers in this segment!
Seventh Generation
The seventh generation Civic came in 2000 and featured an evolutionary design, and 3 distinct body styles, a 3-door hatchback, 5 door hatchback and four door saloon. This generation of Civic brought with it the first hybrid version, which for a time, was the world’s most fuel-efficient production 5-seater petrol car.
The seventh generation also received a new version of the Type R hot hatch, with a more powerful iteration of the i-VTEC engines.
Eight Generation
The eighth generation Civic is easily one of the most influential Civics’ on this list, as it marked a huge jump from the previous generation, whilst still maintaining a number of the features that had helped to make the Civic popular prior to 2005. The Eight Generation had a really futuristic design with a Perspex grille and triangular accents throughout the body work, including the rear exhaust pipes.
The eighth generation Civic was the first generation of Civic to feature Honda’s revolutionary Magic Seats, which had been seen on the Jazz supermini, with rear seat cushions that can be folded up to make it easier to load tall items. This was possible thanks to the engineer’s decision to put the fuel tank beneath the front seats, something that is still done in a number of modern Hondas.
Ninth Generation
The ninth generation Civic was introduced in 2011 with an evolutionary design, that followed a lot of the philosophy from the previous generation.
This model was available again as an estate, for the first time since the seventh generation as well as the Type R performance model. The Civic was available with a revised version of the 1.6 DTEC engine which was noted for its impressive fuel efficiency, which helped it to win a Guinness World Record.
10th Generation
In 2015, Honda introduced the 10th generation Civic, this time with a completely new, sportier design, as well as two VTEC TURBO engines. It also incorporated a range of advanced safety features and driving aids, including Honda SENSING, a suite of features designed to keep all occupants save, and make driving as easy and intuitive as possible. This generation of Civic was engineered to have a stiffer chassis, allowing for greater dynamic performance, making it the perfect platform for the Civic Type R, which came in 2017.
The Civic Type R, based on the 10th generation Civic set new boundaries for the hot hatch genre, thanks to its direct handling, instant throttle and high top speed, helping the Type R to set a new benchmark lap time for front wheel drive cars at the Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany in April 2017.
11th Generation
The latest generation of Civic, the 11th generation is going to be with us shortly, and features an exhilarating design, with improved levels of interior comfort, practicality and usability. This generation of Civic is a new milestone for Honda Europe as it completes Honda’s Electric Vision commitment to electrify all their mainstream models. This is all thanks to the fact that the new Civic features the most advanced version of Honda’s multi award winning e:HEV full-hybrid powertrain, which combines two motors with a standard combustion engine, to give you seamless performance, and amazing fuel efficiency.
The newest iteration of the Civic is now available to order, why not find out more about the new Civic here?
