Review: 2016 Honda Civic Coupe

Honda, you’re killing me smalls!

That has been my attitude toward the Japanize automaker for the past few years now and it pained me.  Honda has always made killer automobiles that are both dependable, pleasurable to drive and retain a great resale value.   Like many consumers, I was impressed with the trailblazing standards the company has made in the auto industry throughout its history but particularly during the 90s and 2000s when I began driving. When it comes to compact cars and sedans, Honda has time and again shown the industry what those type of vehicles could aspire to be and in the process created a following of dedicated buyers that still cling true to the brand today.

However, the auto industry eventually woke up and with a quickness caught up with these standards in aesthetics and engineering that Honda helped to set.  It can be argued that the anchor vehicles in Honda’s lineup, the Civic and the Accord, even began to fall slightly behind in creating engaging and inspiring experiences.  When was the last time an Accord or Civic turned your head?

This year, Honda upped their game and came out swinging with their 10th generation of the Honda

Civic. It’s a fantastic new chapter for the classic compact – a chapter that in some way feels like Honda went back to the Civic’s roots and to create a sporty car that will inevitable turn heads.  To top it off, Honda released a coupe version of the 2016 Civic and it’s sleeker than before, roomier than I remembered Civics being and an overall thrill to drive.

Leaner and Meaner

Recently, Honda’s Civic has basked within the shadow of the popular Accord and was content with sharing a design concept that was certainly classy but un-invigorating.  There were no exciting lines, subdued sport elements or modern frills that scream excitement in the recent generation.  By contrast, this new Civic – particularly in the Coupe LX that I tested – could easily be mistaken for a pricier luxury car by looks alone.  A brand-spanking new body structure gives way to a sweeping shape that emotes power and acceleration.  From almost every angle, there is something to love about the sexy curves and robust design that at once seems familiar but also fresh as the same time.

The bold chrome band that spans the grill and spreads up above the headlights like a pair of wings is brilliant because it immediately reminds me of Honda, even if the logo wasn’t dead center. The entire front end is an evolution of Honda’s trademark design with unique updates of pizzazz that transform even the simplest elements. Take the headlights for instance. Their aggressive new slant is nicely flanked by a hook of LED daytime running lights that immediately ratchet up the cool factor.

Along the body, sculpted indentions form an upward traveling side frame that travels up behind the rear passenger window and perfectly complements what could possibly be this coupe’s best feature: it’s fastback hood.  The roof’s downward slope to the rear of the car is, of course, much steeper than the sedan’s, but even on the 4 door model, it’s attractive from rear angles.  The coupe, though, has a slight sweet advantage over the 4 door model: the absence of a rear passenger door allows for a sporty side in the side body rise above the rear wheel well.  It’s a small touch that make makes this version of the Civic leaner and meaner.

If the Civic’s front end is a modern take on classic Honda design then the same can be said that the back end.  Big and bold, the coupe’s back end is in your face but still sophisticated and almost futuristic. The large chunky taillights aren’t as aggressive as the headlights but the way Honda curves them around the lip of the truck door like a pair of parentheses is stylish.  Admittedly, there is almost too much going on in the back end design, but it never cross a bad design line and feels more like Honda experimenting with some super cool elements, like the hexagonally panels that flank the small lower taillights. Elements like these are what I’ve been waiting for from Honda.

A Surprisingly Subdued Interior

The Civic is a compact car, no doubt, but despite its size, Honda has managed to squeeze every bit of space it can out of the interior for the 2016 model. I’m a tall guy and even I never felt confined nor did I have to duck whenever entering or exiting the car.  Upfront, passengers get a nice 38.2 inches for headroom and slightly less 34.6 inches in the backseat. (An optional moonroof will take those numbers down slightly)  Up front, driver and passenger can expect a generous amount of leg, shoulder and hip room.  While legroom is limited for rear passenger, as should be expect with a vehicle this size, they also benefit from excellent hip and shoulder room thanks to the Civics body structure.

During my week with the Coupe I hauled my two nieces around town and they had no problem with the back seat. True, they are smaller than an adult but I hadn’t mentioned yet that they constantly travel with backpacks full of portable entertainment.  The backseat of the Civic coupe easily accommodated both nieces and their plethora of “necessities”. Good thing to keep in mind for parents with youngsters.

Styling across the entire interior is surprisingly subdued and at first glance the layout might appear underwhelming, but upon a closer shows a sense of a sophisticated restraint and craftmenship.  The dash isn’t overtly aerodynamic like other vehicles in this segment but instead a very linear design dominates.  I liked that the dash protruded out, just a bit, in front of the driver but recedes and dips back towards the engine in front of the passenger.  This type of layout adds depth and inches of space for passengers to, says, stretch their knees.

For 2016, Honda has thrown in a lot of goodies that are not always found in base models.  Features like a 5.0-inch LCD display, LED Daytime running lights, keyless entry and Bluetooth can be had for the $19,475 LX model.  Price goes up from there, as does the list of features, but even at the LX model, those are great options to start from.

She Sure Looks Fast But Can She Fly?

From a stand still, the new Civic appears ready to rocket off in a blink of an instant and it certainly looks agile enough to weave in out of traffic with enough power to get you where ever you’re going fast.  For the most part, this is entirely accurate.  However, looks can be deceiving if what you’re searching for is performance grade driving capabilities in the base LX model.  Sure, this new Civic looks like it can fulfill your “speed racer” fantasies and for most consumers the LX model offers more than enough power – but if the exterior styling begs for anything, it’s the upgrades that come with the turbo inspired Civic models.

All that to say, the engine in the base LX model is more than enough to satisfy the majority of drivers.  A 2.0-liter inline-4 engine that produces 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque sits under the hood. Interestingly the LX trim is the only model of this year’s Civic that gets the super-forgiving 6-speed manual transmission.  I’m curious why the manual transmission isn’t an option with the other engine option offered in higher models: a 1.5 liter VTEC engine that produces 174 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque.  Apparently the rumor is that Honda will one day release a 1.5 turbo engine with a manual transmission, but when that will be is anyone’s guess. I’d wager that with that peppy engine, this new Civic design and a manual option, the new Civic could truly be the speed demon it sure likes looks it wants to be.

Thankfully the LX model I tested came equipped with the manual transmission because it was quite the enjoyable experience.  Besides being forgiving in the lower gears, there was a nice constant throw between the higher ones.  Admittedly, it did feel a bit uninspiring compared to what is offered in other vehicles in the same class, but that’s not to say that the Civic isn’t fun to drive.  On the contrary, the driving is engaging and I would highly recommend the LX’s manual transmission to any young driver who wants to learn how to drive a manual.

The smooth shifting six-speed creates a nostalgic driving experience for anyone who’s driven Hondas throughout its automotive history.  The slightly electronic rev of the engine sounds undeniably like what a Honda engine should sound like.  There is solid low-end power in this transmission and there is no compromise in acceleration here; 1^st and 2^nd gear combine to make for some sick 0 to 60 launches that will make you gleefully.  Beautiful responsiveness means that city driving is as comfortable as open highway ventures, but in both scenarios the Civic feels firmly planted to the ground in the best way.

Striving for Greatness at Every Turn

It’s been a long time since I’ve admired a Civic in the same way I did with this new 2016 model.  It’s a work of art that isn’t perfect but strives for greatness at every turn.  Perhaps most importantly, it’s a breath of fresh air from Honda and there are enough new goodies that warrant a consideration from any compact car consumer.  When compared to other compacts in this segment, you’d swear the new Civic was a luxury car just by looks alone.  The LX Coupe model may not have all the bells and whistles that the higher trims offer but there is more than enough to value in this base model.

If speed and track performance is what you’re looking for, you’re most likely waiting for the Type-R version. If comfortable and a solid driving experience is what you’re after, the LX coupe has it in spades.  Honda has magic on its hands with the 2016 Civic and it will be exciting to see what each new year’s model brings to the table.  For now though, if you come across one don’t hesitate for a second: jump in and drive.