Honda Civic SMT priced Rs 12.2 lac, cruise control comes to Honda Civic SMT photo

Honda has launched a refreshed version of its popular sedan Civic in New Delhi.

Honda Civic SMT – Civic gets refreshed! — Photo: New Honda Civic SMT

The new Honda Civic SMT gets some additional equipment added to its features list. The Civic SMT has a steering-mounted cruise control system, turn indicators on the outside rear view mirrors. The Civic V-MT and the V-AT variants get the same cruise control, plus backup sensors as standard. The SMT is now the cheapest Civic.

So is this big news for Honda Civic fans, or is it not? We have to say this is a minor refresh, and adds some features which were sorely lacking ever since the Toyota Corolla Altis was launched. More recently, the Chevrolet Cruze was launched, and it was also well-received. We are Honda Civic fans ourselves, but let us be frank – some of the new small cars in India offer much more creature comforts than the Civic.

General reaction to the announcement has been lukewarm in automobile blogs and forums. The only real addition seems to be the cruise control – and in the SMT model, price goes up by Rs 13,000.

The Honda Civic 1.8 SMT is priced at Rs.12.2 lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi.)

To recap what the Honda Civic already offers – buy a Civic and you get ABS (Anti – Lock braking system), EBD (Electronic Brake – Force Distribution System) & Brake Assist, Dual SRS airbags and pre-tensioner seat belts – all very useful safety features. Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering Body (ACE) and G-CON (G-Force Control Technology) provide a high integrity survival zone that enhances self-protection and better compatibility in collisions with other vehicles. The Honda Civic comes with a 2+2 year warranty and 24-hr roadside assistance as standard value for all new Civic buyers.

The engine remains the same in the new Civic SMT model – the reliable 1800 cc i-VTEC engine returns fuel efficiency figures of 15.5 kmpl according to ARAI tests. In practice, 11 kmpl is what you get. Very careful driving might take that up as high as13 kmpl.

The Honda Civic was launched in 2006 in India and was highly appreciated for its sporty design and cabin. The i-Vtec engine is also very sporty in character. The Civic was one car in the D Segment that found favour with many enthusiasts who were amazed by its LED dash board, and the sheer power and refinement of the 1.8 i-Vtec engine. The car sold rather well and its direct competitor, the Toyota Corolla, suffered until it was face-lifted as the Altis which then took on the Civic head on.

Off late the D-segment of passenger cars saw many new entrants: The facelifted Toyota Corolla Altis ,Chevrolet Cruze with its 2.0 liter diesel engine, the Skoda Laura, Volkswagen Jetta with their refreshed CRDI engines are spoiling the Civic’s party. Of late, sales were dipping to alarming low figures.

Honda SIEL Cars India has a wide array of cars for the Indian market that include the Jazz hatch, City mid-size sedan, Civic in the D segment, Accord in the luxury car segment and the CR-V which is a soft roader.