Used Honda Civic Tourer 2014-2017 review

The Honda Civic Tourer is for those who admire the 2012-2017 Honda Civic hatchback, but would like an extra slice of practicality. This estate car has more head room for the rear passengers and a boot of splendid proportions, amounting to 624 litres of usable space with the seats up and a whopping 1668 litres with them down.

There are two engines available: a 118bhp 1.6 i-DTEC diesel and a 140bhp petrol. Both come with a slick six-speed manual gearbox, while the petrol model can also be specced with a five-speed automatic.

The diesel version is the better performer. The petrol car is quicker from 0-62mph (9.2sec vs 10.1sec), but it's a little breathless, while the diesel pulls strongly from low down and plays on its massive torque advantage, although it can be a little noisy when pushed.

Trims range from entry-level S, which comes with climate control, 16in alloys, a DAB radio and Bluetooth, through SE Plus, which adds dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and automatic lights and wipers, to SR with standard sat-nav. Top-spec EX Plus gets all the kit you could want, never mind need.

To drive, the Civic Tourer is much like the hatch, with both engines strong enough to pull a fully loaded car, and there’s plenty of grip when the road turns twisty. The car steers quickly, although it’s a little too remote to be truly fun. There are three modes to the damping that can alter the ride: Comfort, Normal and Dynamic. In all of them, though, the car rides well, with a comfort-biased feel.

Inside is a controversially styled and unnecessarily complicated dashboard that puts the instrument dials high up above the line of the steering wheel; many shorter drivers will struggle to see the entire display. In addition, there are too many buttons to decipher, the instruments are prone to reflections and visibility to the rear is poor.

There is better news in the seating department, with supportive seats up front and plenty of room for rear passengers. Interior quality feels good, too, although the switchgear looks and feels a little dowdy.

If you're interested in finding a used Honda Civic Tourer or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

Around £9000 will get you a good-condition 2014-2015 car with an average mileage for the year and a full service history, from a trader or a private sale. Up the wedge to between £10,000 and £12,000 for good 2016 cars, while £12,000-£14,000 will net you a 2016 car with a low mileage from an independent – maybe even a franchised Honda – dealer.

Check the value of a used Civic Tourer with What Car? Valuations

Find used Honda cars for sale

Go for the diesel and running costs will be low. In the Civic Tourer, this engine returned a claimed 74.3mpg in official fuel tests; in our experience, it will top 65mpg in normal driving. Not only that, but because it only emits 99g/km of CO2 and is registered before the April 2017 tax changes, it’s also free of road tax.

Insurance groups are low, too, although the Civic Tourer will usually cost more to service than the equivalent Ford or Vauxhall. Servicing is required every 12 months or 12,500 miles.

The petrol unit is a strong and smooth performer but it’s hard not to be attracted to the diesel, which offers outstanding fuel economy and plenty of oomph.

We’d rather take our Civic Tourer with sat-nav, so although other trim levels are well equipped, we’d opt for SR trim.

Our favourite Honda Civic Tourer 1.6 i-DTEC SR

The Ford Focus Estate takes all that’s good about the regular Focus – lively engines, eager handling and comfortable ride – and adds more practicality, thanks to its generous load bay.

The Skoda Octavia Estate has a simply huge load space, as well as good standard equipment and some great-value options. It’s massive inside and great to drive, with a range of efficient engines. It’s an excellent all-rounder.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter here

If you're interested in finding a used Honda Civic Tourer or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.