NaviGadget

2006 Civic Hatchback has smart navigation system

Apr 10, 2006 gps navigation

This 2006 Honda Hatchback comes with a smart navigation system that can answer some basic questions like ‘how far to destination, where’s the nearest pub, what time is it etc…’. You should watch the video even if you’re not interested in the gadget; the car is pretty impressive (how about a refrigerated glove box?). It costs about £14,000 but you can’t get it in North America.

On the road, the Honda feels broadly impressive. Ride quality is good on all but the roughest tarmac, and decent high-speed refinement should ensure effortless mile-munching. Cornering responses are keen and the electrically assisted steering offers better weight and feel than some other such systems. The appeal of the basic 1.4 litre petrol engine will be limited to the least demanding – it takes a yawning 14.6 seconds to dispatch the 0-62 mph dash. The heartland 1.8 litre i-VTEC petrol motor is far better, responsive, keen to rev and available with an optional (and slightly lurch-prone) i-Shift semi-automatic gearbox. But we were disappointed by the lack of refinement of the range-topping 2.2 i-CTDi turbodiesel. It’s the same 2.2 litre engine that offers turbine-smooth performance in the Accord, CRV and FRV – but here it feels relatively harsh and noisy, despite impressive fuel consumption figures.

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