Hondamatic For A New Generation.
What Have We Got?
It seems Honda has listened to the motoring world and come up with a new automatic gearbox. Not just any 3 step box of old the Hondamatic days, or CVT (continuously variable transmission) that is the system much derided by all, but a bonafide 9-speed auto. Here we test it in the Civic 1.6 i-DTEC diesel hatchback.
Driving
It worked well in the 120ps diesel Civic hatchback it was fitted in. It wasn’t hunting for any of its 9 gears during the test run around Droitwich.
The first thing you notice is a lack of gear stick. Honda has opted for the more and more popular choice of push buttons. You’ll find yourself in a yes and no situation as to liking it. In practice, it works well and there are shift pedals on the steering wheel though chances are you won’t really rely on them because the car choices the gears quite rapidly.
The Verdict
It’s a nice gearbox and smooth all the way up and down the gears. The push button selector could put some people off. If I have any gripes, it will be that I’d like to see the P (park) button a bit bigger and in red. In a car full of black plastic, it just isn’t bold enough. And for those used to driving automatics, you’ll understand the importance of park.
So finally there is an automatic gearbox from Honda that we can recommend. It works well in most situations. Long may it roll out to the entire range of Honda cars.
Civic diesel Automatics start at £21,915 for the SE model.
Motoring nurse or medical motorist? It's a difficult one. By day l nurse and by night l drive.
Fingers have always been grease deep in attending the motoring of an ageing fleet. And now l write about new and old.
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