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Honda Civic 2017 review

Hatchback Petrol

Honda Civic 2017 — front three-quarter view

Overview

The tenth-generation Civic reached UK showrooms in March 2017, built at Honda Swindon, and it was a clean break from the car before it: lower, wider and far more grown-up, with a hatchback-only UK range after the old Tourer estate was dropped. The 1.0 VTEC Turbo 129 SR is the launch sweet spot, priced at £20,180 on the road, sitting between the sparse S and SE trims and the pricier EX. The 1.5 VTEC Turbo 182 was the only other launch engine; the 1.6 diesel did not arrive until March 2018, so a 2017-plated diesel Civic does not exist.

Its 988cc three-cylinder turbo petrol makes 129 PS and 200 Nm in manual form, reaching 62 mph in 10.9 seconds and 126 mph flat out. Official economy was 55.4 mpg combined on the old NEDC test, with 117 g/km of CO2, which put it in VED Band C under the pre-April 2017 system, and the 46-litre tank gives around 556 miles of range. The six-speed manual is standard and the CVT automatic was a £1,400 option; note the CVT is detuned to 180 Nm, so do not quote the manual torque figure for an automatic car.

Space is where this Civic embarrasses rivals. The boot holds 478 litres with the seats up, one of the biggest figures in the class, and the rear seats are genuinely roomy. SR trim brings 17-inch alloys, Honda Connect 2 with Garmin sat-nav and Apple CarPlay, dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, adaptive cruise and lane-keep assist. The car carries a five-star Euro NCAP rating from the 2017 test, with 92 percent for adult occupants.

As a used buy, one check dominates everything else: the wet timing belt. The 1.0 belt runs in oil, and debris can block oilways and starve the turbo, with owner-forum consensus putting the change at six years or 75,000 miles and a dealer cost of roughly £1,100 to £2,000. A 2017 car is past six years, so demand proof the belt was changed or a Honda VIN check. Also check the live 2026 alloy-wheel recall, covering 46,152 UK cars with optional accessory wheels, test the air conditioning on full cold before buying, and remember the 129 PS engine was re-rated to 126 PS from June 2018, so a later 129 PS listing is a mistake.

UK price from: £20,180

Specifications

Engine	988cc 3-cylinder turbo petrol, direct injection
Power	129 PS (127 bhp)
Torque	200 Nm (manual; 180 Nm CVT)
0-62 mph	10.9 seconds (manual)
Top speed	126 mph
Fuel economy (NEDC combined)	55.4 mpg
CO2 emissions	117 g/km
VED band	Band C (pre-1 April 2017 system)
Gearbox	6-speed manual (CVT optional)
Boot space	478 litres (1,209-1,267 litres seats folded)
Kerb weight	1,275 kg
Fuel tank	46 litres
Insurance group	15
Euro NCAP	5 stars (2017 test)

Features

478-litre boot, one of the biggest in the class
1.0 VTEC Turbo with 55.4 mpg combined (NEDC)
Honda Connect 2 with Garmin sat-nav and Apple CarPlay
Adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist and collision warning
17-inch alloy wheels and LED daytime running lights
Dual-zone climate control and reversing camera
Five-star Euro NCAP safety rating (2017 test)

Common parts & prices

Part	Price (GBP)	Notes
Front brake pads (axle set)	£35	Typical UK pattern-part retail estimate, parts only excl. fitting, not catalogue-verified
Front brake discs (pair)	£80	Typical UK pattern-part retail estimate, parts only excl. fitting, not catalogue-verified
Wet timing belt kit (1.0 VTEC Turbo)	£450	Parts only, typical retail estimate; fitted average c. £1,100-£2,000 at a dealer
Battery (12V)	£115	Typical UK pattern-part retail estimate, parts only excl. fitting, not catalogue-verified
Wiper blades (front pair)	£20	Typical UK pattern-part retail estimate, parts only excl. fitting, not catalogue-verified
Oil filter	£9	Typical UK pattern-part retail estimate, parts only excl. fitting, not catalogue-verified

Prices are typical UK aftermarket/OEM guide prices and may vary by supplier.

Pros

Huge boot and roomy rear seats for a family hatch
Frugal, flexible 1.0 turbo with strong low-end pull
Generous SR equipment including safety tech
Sharp handling and a quality Swindon-built feel
Five-star safety

Cons

Wet timing belt is an expensive must-check on 2017 cars
Firm ride on 17-inch wheels
Infotainment feels dated next to newer rivals
Cabin plastics are hard in places for the price

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Honda Civic 1.0 reliable?

Generally yes, but the wet timing belt is the critical check. Demand proof it was changed, because a 2017 car is past the six-year mark and a failed belt can cost £1,100 to £2,000 or more.

What is the wet timing belt problem on the 1.0 VTEC Turbo?

The belt runs in oil, and debris from it can block oilways and starve the turbo. Owner-forum consensus puts the change at six years or 75,000 miles. Honda is reported to run a VIN-limited free-replacement programme, so check the specific car with a Honda dealer.

How big is the boot on the 2017 Civic?

478 litres with the seats up, one of the biggest boots in the family-hatch class. Parkers lists 550 litres for this variant using a different measure, so expect figures to vary by source.

Is there a recall on 2017 Civics?

Yes, a live 2026 recall covers 46,152 UK five-door Civics with optional accessory alloy wheels, where wheel nuts may have been tightened to too-low torque. No DVSA recall number has been published, so check the specific car with a Honda dealer.

Is the 2017 Civic ULEZ compliant?

Yes. The 1.0 VTEC Turbo petrol is Euro 6, so it is compliant with London ULEZ and clean air zones. Verify the individual car on the TfL checker by registration, as always.