#PRODUCTWATCH: 2019 HONDA CIVIC 5D SPORT REVISITED

How do you mess with perfection? Honda long has been refining its top-selling showpiece, the Civic, and we were lucky enough a second time to get to review the 2019 Honda Civic 5D Sport.  This time around we won’t talk about specs and features but more how it was our saving grace when we needed it most.

We had all sorts of plans to celebrate Black Friday and Cyber Monday. That is, until we got a concerning phone call from our Mom Thursday afternoon. I advised her to have Dad looked at as he was showing erratic behaviour last week, often tired and growingly-confused. After bringing him in to see their Family Doctor, he told her to have Dad checked-in at the ER right away and that’s when the phone call came. My Mom was inconsolable.

I began suspecting the worst, that maybe he had a stroke and having to leave work early to be by his side, every worst case scenario ran through my mind driving-up the DVP. I picked them up in the Honda Civic 5D Sport and off we went to the Hospital.

After several tests, ultrasounds, CT Scans and about eight hours of waiting, we were so relieved that while it was deemed his symptoms weren’t related to a stroke, it was revealed he had an infection incubating, which affected his coherence. It wasn’t till he was asked to do so, he wasn’t able to remember my name, the current year, nor could he write his own signature on his admittance forms at the Hospital. And this apparently is commonplace in elderly people experiencing this infection.

The Doctor sent us on our way after everything, referring us to multiple specialists to follow-up with. We had a late night dinner, all of us starving. Dad’s appetite was ferocious going for a third helping despite initially insisting he wasn’t hungry and didn’t want to eat. The Civic 5D Sport took us around as we struggled finding a place open in the wee hours  of  the morning. Google, while great at generating search results, isn’t always on-top of restaurant business hours. We were lucky finding a Pharmacy open late too to fill his urgent prescription, again made possible by our time in the 5D Sport.

Dad slept well that night and first order in the morning was getting him fed and medicated. He had no energy and insisted on sleep.  While I was ready to cancel my cross-border Black Friday shopping plans, Mom let me know a short road trip was in good order, so skipping out for a few hours while Dad caught-up on sleep while oddly-timed, worked out just great. One of my brothers came by also to help, thankfully. One, we missed all the traffic at the Border and two, the crowds weren’t so bad at the Walden Galleria as all the early-rising shoppers had cleared-out. Getting a table at The Cheesecake Factory (the only American restaurant she likes)  was quick and simple, as we ate an early dinner, beating the dinner rush. I snagged a couple winter coats – one dressy and one practical – got some Christmas shopping done and got Mom a new bag, which made her day. I even tried on a few ridiculous jackets which gave Mom some much-needed laughs! We then head back home to check-in on Dad.

 

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#BlackFriday! Dad hasn’t been so well lately. We gave him a day to just sleep after spending all day at the hospital Friday. I think he will be alright. I took Mom to #WaldenGalleria as a pick-me-up and got her a new bag. We went to the only American restaurant she likes, #CheesecakeFactory. She was like, “That place isn’t even good!” but then forgot how good it was, devouring everything and having room for dessert. I tried on all sorts of ridiculous jackets, which made her LOL. Got a couple deals on coats but honestly where were the real deals? All I saw was old stock getting cleared at 20% off. I feel like everyone’s gotten smart and just buys online. #Target still is one of the reasons I wish I had a Green Card (some kind American, just marry me💍.. the love part is optional!). And man, #Macys shoppers are rough 👠!

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Nov 30, 2019 at 5:02am PST

 

Sometimes life’s roadblocks aren’t always on the road itself, sometimes they are. Sunday was my day to catch-up with our namesakes A Pic by Mrwill and Mr Will. I was less than thrilled to read the Forecast. While the weather was a mess to say the least, I was driven – pardon the pun – to see my beloved babies. While nobody likes driving in bad weather, we were pleasantly surprised by the few cars on the road. Our Snowplows on the 401 were working hard to keep us safe. And Yorkdale Shopping Centre, which notoriously is horrible for parking, was actually relatively empty for once enabling a quick visit for more Christmas odds and ends.

As we drove into Caledon on country roads, the scenic snow-filled route was actually meditative and driving was a breeze. This, paired with SiriusXM‘s Hallmark Channel blaring Holiday favourites, was just perfect.

 

A Pic by Mrwill, with her mom Emily and Chico 

Mr Will 

While some roads were slippery, the Civic 5D Sport‘s Traction Control System kept us safe, as did its Forward Collision Warning, Honda LaneWatch Blind Spot Display and Multi-angle Rearview Camera  – which we can’t live without!

Now, with the heavy snow, we did get a warning: “Some Driver Assist Systems Cannot Operate: Radar Obstructed”, but as always, it is best to drive with that extra bit of caution in inclement weather and reduced visibility anyway.

 

The Civic 5D Sport‘s Fuel Economy using ECON mode remains a game-changer and our week of travels, taking us from the burbs to the City, to the countryside and even Buffalo, tallied-in at less than $100 CAN. Its Fuel Economy comes in at:

City 9.3 L/100km
Highway 6.5 L/100km
Combined 8.0 L/100km

 

This beauty in Aegean Blue Metallic is controlled by a 7″ colour TFT centre meter display. Climate control, an array of audio and entertainment options are at the control of your finger tips. We adore the charging plate for our Smartphone, plus several charging ports for our passengers. Our passengers and I loved the heated seating options which are a necessity in these frigid conditions.

That Audio System once again proves superb. It sounds so great, we thought we’d sprinkle a little of that Holiday mood over your way!

 

Every year we make a point of visiting some of our most valuable partners before the Holidays, dropping-off some Holiday goodies. We are happy we had a chance to do that, because our partnerships are what keeps us thriving! We are saddened our dear dog Billy couldn’t be our Co-Pilot like in past years.

 

The Civic 5D Sport certainly won’t solve all our life problems. Dad is feeling a bit better. We got more of our Holiday shopping done. And well, we can’t avoid some of the weather conditions we’ll face. The car was there for us and was a reliable friend when we needed it.
 
2020 Civic models are now available. More here.

 

Also, this wouldn’t be a Mr. Will adventure without a star sighting. Happy to spot Vikings star Travis Fimmel, in-town filming DIE IN A GUNFIGHT!

 
 

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)