2016 Honda Civic

The Honda Civic has consistently been a strong seller for Honda but, those powerful numbers in recent years, have been more the effect of the nameplate’s sound standing rather than of the vehicle, if we are being brutally honest.

Actually, Honda was compelled to run a refresh of its last-generation Civic after the compact was panned by critics for cheap interior materials and excessive road noise. Consumer Reports even lost the ninth-generation Civic from its enviable “recommended” list.

But even with those defects, the Civic flew out of Honda showrooms. We are happy to report that is not true in any way, although given that sort of devotion Honda could have readily sent it in the with the 10th generation Civic.

The Heroic Honda Civic

Honda has consistently assigned grandiose names to its in-layout Civics (including “Wonder Civic” and “Miracle Civic”), with the most recent auto pulling the nickname “Epic.” That is a rough adjective to meet, but the 2016 Civic (mainly) does.

Based on an all-new platform, the 2016 Civic is wider, longer and sleeker than the version it replaces. The Civic’s wheelbase is up by 1.2-inches, netting an additional 2.2-inches of rear seat legroom. Meanwhile, the Civic’s front overhang was reduced by 1.2-inches while back overhang has grown by 3.0-inches, allowing for a more fluid roofline and larger luggage compartment. The Civic’s roofline has come down by 0.8-inches while the the hood and cowl are down by 1.6-inches, adding to the car’s sporty appearance.

The 2016 Civic uses a mix of high- and ultra high-strength steel for most of its chassis parts, producing a more powerful framework that’s not about 68 pounds heavier than the unit it replaces. That strong base is significant because to it Honda bolted better brakes and a sportier suspension.

The new model year ushers in a fresh DOHC i-VTEC 2.0L four-cylinder engine that now stands as the Civic’s foundation motor. It creates 158 hp at 6,500 rpm and 138 lb-feet of torque at 4,200 rpm. It can be had with a six-speed manual or a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

Discretionary on mid-level automobiles and standard on the upper end of the Civic range is a new 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder. As a result of its turbo, Honda says the 1.5L makes the same power of a 2.4L naturally aspired four-cylinder — 174 hp and 162 lb-feet of torque to be exact. It is now only available with a CVT, but we are told that Honda has plans to offer the turbo engine with an enthusiast-accepted six-speed manual gearbox.

Fuel economy is quite great for either engine choice. The 2.0L is set to return 31/41/35 mpg city/highway/combined while the more strong 1.5L will return 31/42/35 city/highway/combined.

All that new hardware was enveloped by Honda than the last Civic in fresh sheetmetal that’s much more fashionable and upscale-looking.

The 2016 Accord inspires the front of the Civic and contains a fresh chrome grille bar that goes above the broad and thin headlights of the car. Though true on the bling-y side, the chrome layout component give a face to recall to the Civic.

Top-spec cars like our Touring version include LED headlights that seem much like the headlight treatment given to modern Acura vehicles. Mid- and upper level automobiles additionally receive fog lights incorporated into an aggressive-appearing lower fender.

Go further back and you’ll locate a distinguishing crease and flared wheel arches along the lower part of the doors, giving a muscle appearance to the Civic. The black-and-silver five-spokes on our examiner would not be our first wheel option, but they fit with the amazing and youthful vibe of the Civic.

The back three quarters is likely the Civic’s greatest angle, providing you with the chance to to soak in its fastback-like roof line and boomerang- . With the new Civic, we can see what Honda was going for — but missed — with the Crosstour.

Honda Civic’s Interior

The inside of the new Civic is also considerably enhanced, both in relation to layout and materials.

Whereas the last Honda Civic felt like affordable in top-zoot guise the foundation 2016 Civic LX feels like somewhat of a superior automobile. That is because substances are used throughout the variety and soft touch. The only real inside differences between a top and a base LX -spec Touring are an LCD center and leather seats, a bigger infotainment display -gauge readout. Honda has made its package of Honda Feeling safety features — which contain technologies like lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control — available as a standalone alternative on any Civic for 2016.

The complete interior design has been toned down from the last car, which we believe is a great thing. Gone is the two-grade dashboard, replaced with a traditional unit that sets the speedometer and tachometer in the center pod. Two other readouts sit on the other for temperature and either side — one for gas. Like other modern Hondas, a stalk that sprouts from the dashboard like Jack’s beanstalk handles excursion functions.

The entire dashboard and center stack layout reminds us of the latest Toyota Corolla, which is not always a bad thing. We dig out at the straight lines that give the car a classic-but- appearance that is fresh. The brushed aluminum trim in the Civic is some of the finest we have seen and much better than any faux wood choice.

The Civic’s discretionary seven-inch infotainment display is basically the same unit used in the -new Pilot. Getting a page from Mercedes’ novel, slights protrude from the dashboard like a tablet PC.

The display is general answer to reach input signals and itself offers great resolution. The unit also supports Android Auto systems and the most recent Apple CarPlay. Nevertheless, we can not get used to the volume slider button. To make matters worse, that slider has migrated to the steering wheel where it’s just not as easy to make step-by-step volume changes. Fortunately you can nevertheless click down or up, along with the slide attribute, if you pick.

Upon slipping behind the wheel of the Civic promptly you get the sense of sitting in a cockpit that is proper. That is because Honda has important lowered chairs location and the Civic’s IP. The truth is, the hip point in the 2016 Civic is the same as the Audi TT. A center armrest that is higher adds to the wraparound encounter.

The new center console also contains a bi-level storage area at front which allows you to keep your smartphone without exposing any twines that are unsightly. The centrer section boasts a storage area that’s big enough to consume an iPad.

The Civic’s front buckets are supportive and comfortable with an excellent number of reinforcing. Shorter drivers will likely find themselves using the Civic’s seat height adjustment attribute as the lower stylish point of the automobile does make it challenging to peer out over the hood.

Despite its sloping roof line, the Civic supplies more than ample headroom in its second row. Legroom is, in addition, fairly good, enabling those over six-feet tall to stretch out a bit. On the Touring version backseat passengers also reap the benefits of outboard seats that are heated.

After years of scrambling to satisfy with modern crash standards, it seems as though automakers are beginning to perfect the art of strategically using high- and ultra-high-strength steel. Honda used those light-but-powerful stuff in the greenhouse place of the Civic, netting thinner A pillars that are prone to cause dangerous blind spots.

The storyline is a bit different at the back of the Civic where thick C-pillars can block the motorist’s view. On the other hand, the Civic does come with Honda’s Lane Watch, which uses a camera mounted on the passenger’s side mirror to project any potential dangers lurking in the side blind spot on the infotainment display of the auto. The system automatically activates anytime the right hand turn signal is turned on.

Honda Civic Drive Opinion

A large proportion of our driving time was spent behind the wheel of a Civic Limited equipped with Honda’s 1.5L turbo and CVT. On the performance front, Honda is about spot on with their comparison of the 1.5L turbo to a naturally aspirated 2.4L. Although peak hp does not come on until 5,500 rpm, a level and comparatively wide torque curve (maximum turn is accessible between 1,800 and 5,500 rpm) provides power in a smooth and linear manner. Those hoping for a sudden whoosh from the turbo will disappointed, but those seeking for a peppy compact will be totally satisfied with the 1.5.

Honda’s CVT is a great fit for the turbo factory, which is partially as a result of incorporation of a torque converter. The rubber band effect is almost nonexistent at lower rates and the CVT is willing to kick down to lower “gears” for higher-speed passing plays.

Operation from the naturally-aspirated 2.0L four-cylinder compares favorably to the rivalry when equipped with the six-speed stick shift, but the CVT choice saps most of its get up and go. While the engine sounds like it’s working under full throttle, that sound is prevented by the CVT from being turned into almost any critical forward progress.

The total width of the Civic has grown by two inches for the 2016 model year, leading to more stable handling and better road-holding skills. A more sporty suspension keeps body roll in check without being overly stiff during day-to-day driving. Brakes are also substantially enhanced over the last-generation car.

Direction is managed by an increased stand that provides direct and fast direction. We had likely dial in a little more weight, but the system functions well complete and fits the new placement of the Civic as a driver’s automobiles.

Base versions do not manage as aggressively as upper-end Civics, but that is down to inferior rubber rather than any differences that are mechanical. In addition to lacking the grasp of the Civic’s higher-end tires, the lower-spec tires have a taller sidewall, creating more flex in the corners.

See what Honda Civics are currently available here.