#10YearChallenge - Honda Civic 2010 vs 2020

The Honda Civic made its Malaysian debut in 2006. Its first facelift came in within three years in 2009 in two variants-2.0S and 1.8S. The executive sedan has been assembled locally from the start, and it continues to do so.

Fast forward to 2020, and Honda has mildly revamped the sedan for the current year with subtle cosmetic updates, though it features the same heart, and the majority of features have been carried over as it is. Meanwhile, the changes made over the last decade are immense, be it aesthetics, mechanical or feature-wise.

The automobile industry has evolved over the last decade which reflects well in the Civic, it not only improves visually but packs a more comprehensive safety kit, ensuring a safe ride experience to the occupants. This write-up walks you through the changes it has endured during the decade (from 2010 to 2020), and how it has evolved for better, read through to know more. 

Before we begin, let us first have a look at the 2020 Honda Civic price:

Variant	Price
Honda Civic 1.8 S	RM 113,600
Honda Civic 1.5 TC	RM 129,600
Honda Civic 1.5 TC-P	RM 139,600

What has changed on the outside?

In comparison, the existing version appears more aggressive with a modish touch to it. The single chrome treated grille in front has been replaced by the piano black finished unit which integrates with the upswept bold headlamps. Another major point of distinction is the headlamp design which has improved from the mundane looking dual-barrel to a single unit. Similarly, the bumper, fog lamps and side skirts have been revamped completely. Side skirts have also been added for a more aggressive appearance. Moving to the side, it has sharper lines, chunkier alloys, fatter tyres and new sloping roof which ends in a steeply raked in rear windscreen. The raised lip spoiler, c-shaped tail-lamps and all-new bumper at the back redefine the sedan styling. Given below are the dimensions for the 2020 Civic.

Length	4,648 mm
Width	1,799 mm
Height	1,416 mm
Wheelbase	2,700 mm

How has the interior evolved?

The insides are more upmarket with a completely new and contemporary dashboard. It gets rid of the dated dials, buttons, mundane styling, and sports new trims, upholstery and steering wheel. There is a more advanced audio system with a touchscreen display, supported by the latest smartphone interface. The current version brims with comfort goodies, some of which include paddle shifters, eight-way power adjusting seats, cruise control, touch-panel AC control, full colour LCD meter, walk way auto lock, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto among others. As for comfort, it has grown over the period, offering more space to the occupants at front and at the back.

What does the safety suite comprise of?

Honda packs its new Civic with its Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance features, a major difference between the 2010 and 2020 version. It comprises of cutting-edge safety gadgets such as adaptive cruise control, auto high beam, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, road departure mitigation, lane keep assist system, collision mitigation braking system and low speed follow. Speaking of the standard kit, 2020 Honda Civic specs sheet comprises the following features:

• Driver side airbag
• Co-passenger airbag
• Side curtain airbag
• Front seatbelt 3-point ELR
• Rear seatbelt 3-point ELR
• Rear seat ISOFIX 
• Vehicle stability assist 
• Agile handle assist 
• Anti-lock-braking system 
• Electronic brakeforce distribution 
• Auto brake hold
• Brake assist 
• Hill start assist 
• Emergency stop signal 
• Front sensors
• Reverse sensors
• Multi-angle camera
• Security alarm with immobilizer 

While the Honda LaneWatch camera is missing in the entry-level grade, it comes with the mid and top-spec variants only. 

How does the 2010 version vary from the current Civic on the mechanical front?

Specifications	2020 Honda Civic
Engine	1.8L SOHC	1.5-L
Power	141 PS	173 PS
Torque	174 Nm	220 Nm
Transmission	CVT	CVT

While the 1.8-litre engine has been powering the sedan since the beginning, the new and more powerful 1.5-litre unit has replaced the 2.0-litre unit seen earlier. Also, the CVT unit is a new addition, considering the 2010 version missed out on it. As for performance, it feels punchier and more composed, hence there is a huge improvement there. 

Conclusion

The new Civic witnesses a plethora of changes over the 2010 version on several fronts. One of the prominent changes has been the new 1.5-litre engine, and Honda Sensing, which is exclusive to select models. Visually, it is more delightful now with new elements upping the aesthetic appeal. Another area where it sees stark change is safety, thanks to the new advanced features. Honda now equips the model with the latest touchscreen unit, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Aside from the aforementioned changes, there is a lot more that sets the 2020 Civic apart from the older 2010 version.

Also read: 2020 Honda Civic - 5 things that impressed us