is a honda civic a rover copy?

Question

I recently got a Honda civic and it seems to be very much like a rover, even drives like one.

Answer 1

I had a rover 420 that had a honda engine

Answer 2

The Honda is not a Rover copy. Its the other way round.

The 1995 Rover 400 (and later Rover 45 and MG ZS) was based on the 1995-2000 Honda Civic 5dr hatchback.
The main body panels, the body structure, the steering, most of the suspension, brakes, electrics, glass and much of the interior were common to the two cars. The diesel version of the Civic had a Rover engine, the automatic version of the Rover had a Honda engine.

Answer 3

Kind of, although it's the other way round. Honda own the design rights for the 400 series which was a joint venture back in the early 90's. The 400 and civic are, as you've correctly spotted, closely related to the Honda Civic. You'll also note that the 400 series shape is still going with the MG ZS, which its still based on. Since then, Honda have brought out two new Civics which gives you an idea of the age of the design.

Whn Nanjing return with the MG's later this year the ZS will be dropped since Honda have retained the design rights and Nanjing cannot use the 400 shape.

Oh by the way, there's no problem with spares for rovers whatsoever, Caterpillar own Xpart, which is the spares divsion of rover that it bought up when they went bust, and caterpillar arent known for making bad business moves.

Answer 4

Rover's were a poor copy of the Civic. The Civic will always drive better as the always used Honda engines, where as Rover only borrowed the Honda 1.6 when they needed it for an automatic.

Answer 5

In the mid eighties Rover and Honda formed a loose partnership to develop their range of cars. Honda took care of the mechanical side including the petrol engines which went into the 200,400 and 800 cars and Rover concentrated on the design aspect. They shared engines,bodyshells and most of the drivetrain. The only real differences were cosmetic,the cars hard different lights,bumpers,grilles etc but essentially were the same underneath. As Rover doesn't exist anymore genuine parts are becoming harder to find and it's well worth a trip to your local Honda dealer as a lot of the mechanical parts are the same.

Answer 6

Actually Honda shared their design of the Honda Concerto (Rover 400) back in the early 90's. The model Concerto was then droppped and renamed into the Civic range. This is when it all began....

Answer 7

I'd rather have a Honda than a Rover anyday!

Answer 8

Its the other way around. It all started with the Triumph Acclaim which was a Honda clone

Answer 9

They look to be fairly similar but the quality is much better!

Answer 10

they are basically the same, interior buttons engine exhaust brake parts its just the shell thats different