I went for an oil change on my Accord today when I noticed there are some new
4-door Civic sitting on the dealer's lot. I proceed to check it out
immediately after I was done with the paperwork on my Accord. It looks like
what everyone has been describing...short front and pretty large interior
inside. The engine bay is definitely very tight which a lot of aftermarket
people has been complaining about not enough room for a strut bar.
Fortunately, they can fit one even though it's going to be a bit off around
the reservoir for the brake and the power steering fuilds. When I started up
the engine, the immediate response that I get was this very quiet engine
which is very smooth compare to the 6th generation Civics. The throttle feel and response is light and direct. The new power steering does provide the easy
effort getting out of tight corners of the lot. Even though I was not able to
test drive it on the freeway, kickdown was very smooth. There was no jerking
around like the Accords or older Civic's transmission. The transmission stick
is very ergonomic because with the slight pressure of my finger, the stick goes
out of park with ease. There is noticeable torque compared to the previous
generation where the latter will rev to move, rather than the immediate
movement of the 7th generation. One thing I still don't like about Civics, both
the 6th and the newer 7th generation, was that the the seating position is a bit too high. It is pretty much like when you are driving a CRV rather than driving a sedan. I wish they could lower the position a little bit more.