Road Trip with Honda Malaysia

When driving long distance, there are many features to consider in a car such as safety and comfort. I got to experience the 10th Generation Honda Civic earlier this month where 15 bloggers test drove the Civic all the way to Penang! :)

The All-New Civic is one of the most comprehensive and ambitious new-model developments ever undertaken by Honda. Their engineers set out to benchmark the Civic not only against the C-segment vehicles but also European premium compact vehicles. With this, Honda is able to offer a Civic that is a game-changer in terms of design, dynamic performance, fuel-efficiency, spaciousness, interior quality and safety features - all in a very attractive price package.

After breakfast, we were flagged off to start our journey with Honda Malaysia. Since it was a 3 person team, we all got to take turns to drive and experience the features of the car. Being a passenger at the back during the start of the journey, I was very impressed by its spacious back seat where I can place my legs comfortably.

The brand new 1.5 VTEC Turbocharged engine is developed under Honda's Earth Dreams Technology provides 'Joy to drive' with its dynamic performance and excellent fuel economy. Honda Malaysia is the first Japanese mass market manufacturer to introduce a turbo engine in the C-segment. The other engine variant is 1.8L i-VTEC. Both variants of the All-New Civic are mated with Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) for a smooth driving experience and fuel efficiency.

The first stop was lunch at Tanjung Tualang. With the Civic Walk Away Auto Lock feature, the car will lock itself at a 2m distance. This is one of the safety feature that I like because there are times I will forget to lock my own car.

Feasting on the delicious food at Tg. Tualang.

For me, parking outdoors under the hot sun makes the car very stuffy and uncomfortable as I need to wind down the windows to let the hot air out and with our humid weather, I will be drenched in sweat!

With the Civic Remote Engine Start, the car is able to start the engine and air conditioning from a distance to cool down the car before you get in! Not to worry as even though the engine is already started, the doors are still locked until you are within the remote range.

I also like that the All-New Civic has low noise penetration from the outside. The interior package is fitted with light-weight sound proofing system to achieve cabin quietness and further enhancing the ride quality. This includes underbody covering and high noise isolation door system. Overall, this has managed to reduce the Noise, Vibration and Harshness.

After lunch, we drove to Stadium Batu Kawan and learnt further about the Civic safety feature, design and differentiation between competitors. The gymkhana activity was done by professionals and to demonstrate the VSA safety feature. Although we were laughing inside the car, it was still pretty scary...

VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist)

VSA is a built-in safety system that is always on. There is a off button as well but it is not recommended to turn it off as you will never know when accidents will happen. During certain moments when the car skids, you may not have enough time to react accordingly and it might cause your car to overturn. Best to keep the VSA turned on at all times! 

Besides VSA, there are also 6 airbags to keep you and your passengers safe (Dual Front Airbags, Side Curtain Airbags and Side Airbags).

Driving long distance often takes a toll on the body especially the legs. With Cruise Control Mode, I am able to set the speed accordingly and rest the feet for a while. Once the break is stepped on, the cruise mode will be turned off automatically.

The Smartphone Connectivity feature enables me to answer calls and also get my texts to be read by the system, which I can concentrate on driving and not get distracted by fiddling with my phone. The 7" Advance display audio allows the home screen to be displayed. Currently only iPhones can be connected immediately via USB and it is still in progress for Google Play. Since I am using Andriod, I am able to connect the audio using the Bluetooth feature to answer calls and also listen to music on Spotify. There is no need for an additional auxiliary audio cable!

We arrived at Botanica Mansion in the evening for sunset view and dinner. Built in early 1881, Botanica Mansion was restored and currently functions as a clubhouse solely for Botanica.CT residents. A gymnasium, swimming pool and restaurant is available for daily dining and private events.

We were spoilt with many choices of food especially the buffet and also individual stalls that were setup to serve the local Penang delicacies like Asam Laksa, Cendol etc. It was a satisfying dinner!

It was time to check-in to the hotel after a day of activity and good food! On the way back we were shown the light features of the Civic. Using LED Lights (headlights & fog lights), the light reaches out to a wide area. Especially when driving in very dark areas , the driver is able to see the nearby surroundings and drive safely.

As there was a traffic congestion towards G Hotel Kelawai, it took a little longer than expected to reach our accomodation. The Civic Auto Brake Hold system came in handy as we did not need to constantly put our foot to hold the break. When you are stuck in traffic, turn on the auto break hold and then press on the break where the system will light up on the display to indicate that you can let go of your legs. Upon acceleration, the break hold will automatically turn off.

As I stepped foot into the Executive Room, I was amazed by the clean architecture, interior design and its welcoming presence! The bed was super comfy and I was definitely well rested throughout the night! I can't remember the last time I slept so soundly :)

I also had a relaxing shower session with the complimentary eco-friendly Appelles toiletries, that is imported from Australia. All the products smell amazing!

The infinity pool on the 24th floor gives an amazing view on the Penang landscape. Seating facing the window while looking out the quiet street of Penang in the morning, I enjoyed my breakfast at SPOON where the meals are cooked by the culinary team led by Chef Ong who specializes in Asian cuisine. G Hotel Kelawai also offers a 24-hour gym which allows the guests to work out using state-of-the-art fitness equipment while enjoying the breath-taking view of the greenery hills.

What is a road trip without adventure & fun? Escape Adventureplay is a fun destination with exciting outdoor games and rides! It challenges your physical strength and stamina as there are variety of obstacle courses.

Since we had only a few hours in the park, I played the Monkey Business course that challenges the balancing skills, got my adrenaline pumped by leaping off 20m above the ground, and sliding downhill with the tubby tube which was really exhilarating! The facilities at Escape Adventureplay is really good as they have lockers and also shower areas for you to freshen up. I would definitely go back to Penang again to complete all the obstacle course :) 

Famished from our morning activity, we drove to a restaurant in Bukit Tambun which was famous for their seafood.

We had prawns, fish, crabs...ate until our stomach were about to burst! Haha...

After lunch, it was time to head back to KL! Traffic from Penang to KL was quite congested and being a person who is sensitive to the cold, I made use of the Climate Control mode to adjust the temperature of the air-conditioning. It was really useful to be able to adjust the temperature and fan speed as compared to other cars with the fan speed control only. I love to stay warm especially when it is raining and cold outside! :)

Other unseen but crucially important safety aspect is not forgotten by Honda. All variants of the All-New Civic are equipped with top class safety features:

• Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
• Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
• Bake Assist (BA)
• Hill Start Assist (HSA)
• Emergency Stop Signal (ESS)
• ISOFIX

As a driver that relies heavily on the car workshop reminder for servicing, the Civic Smart Monitoring System allows its users to have a peace of mind in maintaining the efficiency of the engine performance. This feature will indicate the timing of oil change and notify customers with an indication lamp on the speedometer on their service status.

The All-New Civic is available in five colours: Dark Ruby Red Pearl, Modern Steel Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl. Lunar Silver Metallic and White Orchid Pearl.  The price for the 3 variants are:

• RM 113,800 for 1.8S (On-the-road with insurance)
• RM 127,800 for 1.5 Turbocharged (On-the-road with insurance)
• RM 135,800 for 1.5 Turbocharged Premium (On-the-road with insurance)

For more information on the All-New Civic, you can visit any Honda dealer, call Honda's Toll Free number at 1-800-88-2020 or log on to www.honda.com.my or www.ridethedream.my to discover more about the exciting features of the All-New Civic.