Random input here, but I wonder how much better this new Civic is compared to the '15 model, because the one I drove a couple weeks ago was a pile. Among 5 cars I drove that day, it was by far the worst one of the lot.
Well, here are my thoughts after checking out a '16 EX (w/o Honda Sensing) today.
Overall, I'd say this is the best looking Civic we've had, inside and out, since the EP hatch more than a decade ago. The front is aggressive, and gives it a look that's very different from a lot of its compact competitors (a plus), but I do think it looks a bit too much like the larger Accord from the front and side. I think the divisive thing for a lot of people will be the back. So far, it seems that it'll be something like when the Stingray first came out, the color will likely determine your preferences. On the inside, I'd give the overall style and layout a 9/10, colors are a bit too dark for my taste on the black/gray interior I had, and while the tan improves it a bit, I'd be curious to know where the gray/gray goes (they didn't have one with that choice - yet). Overall quality on the cabin was quite good, plenty of soft touch plastics where your hands and eyes will be most, only real cheap bits are on the rear door panels. Back up front, the gauges are modern and light up in a way that make them look interesting, although I'd be curious to know how different it looks at night with the numbers back-lit, along with the buttons and knobs.
Speaking of knobs, I've heard people complain about the lack of a radio knob, and I don't think its entirely justified. The capacitive touch sensors on the wheel to control volume and so on works exceptionally well, and while I think the seek function could use and overhaul when doing it from Honda's head unit, it isn't as though its the worst thing ever. The head unit does both Android Auto and Apple Car Play, and I didn't get to try either today. I might go back just to see, but from everything I've seen/read, its what you'd expect depending on your preferred OS (sorry Windows users). The audio was quite good in the cabin, with pretty well placed speakers in the EX balancing things out nicely around you. With the volume turned down, there wasn't much wind or road noise that you'd normally expect with a compact - Less than a Subaru Impreza or the Scion iM, the Ford Focus as well. I'd be curious to know how it compares to the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze.
As far as the driving is concerned, I think the Civic strikes a nice balance that a lot of its competitors lack. The ride is tight enough for you know where bumps and cracks are, but they don't shake things up in the car as they do in most cars. It isn't as well damped as the Scion iM, but, the Civic
feels things much better. I get where the reviewers are saying that there is a "dead" on center feel, but the steering overall is weighted nicely (maybe a little lighter than I'd like, but I'm also driving a 16 year old sports car) and is very communicative with what's going on beneath you. I think part of that goes down to the tires, which seem to have good lateral grip while still being designed for fuel economy... But there is room for improvement. All around, its a
very good sign for the Si and the Type-R in the US.
The mechanical bits are surprising as well. The one I drove had the N/A 2.0L matched with the CVT, and overall, its a package that works together in a way that I didn't expect. The 2.0L has the typical Honda howl you'd expect, but it really doesn't become evident unless you're running it hard. Between 1,200-3,000 RPM where most people are going to keep it, its quiet and comfortable, with a good bit of torque that the 1.8L absolutely did not have. The CVT impressed me as well, doing a much better job of "faking it" than most other modern CVTs I've used. I'm betting that if I handed it off to someone who didn't know, they still wouldn't. The car does have a Sport mode, which seems to hold RPMs much longer to get things going. Not sure if its that much better for passing, but, it did seem to do the job well when merging onto a busy highway. I'll probably head back and drive one with a stick when they get one in, but they aren't expecting one for a while.
Overall Pros:
- Stellar value in the segment given its resale value and usual quality/dependability ratings
- More European ride/handling balance puts the Civic in a comfortable place between the Mazda 3 and Ford Focus
- Low, long, and wide makes it seem like a much bigger and much more practical car
- Fuel economy is crazy-good
Overall Cons:
- A lot of cool features are locked away in higher trims, which quickly run the price up the flagpole
- No 6MT in the EX is a mistake in my book
- Standard Honda infotainment system is just not competitive in the segment
- Burdened with the last two generations of outright bad Civics, not "hip" like the Mazda 3 anymore
I think for me, its really a matter of what I value most when being behind the wheel... On the one hand, I'd hate to give up driving stick, but sticking with that part of the equation cuts you off from so much good stuff the Honda can have. On the other hand, in order to get the one or two things you'd want on an EX, the price jumps up by $2000. We did run the numbers on both for me this afternoon, and on a lease with a relatively small amount down, its about $25 that separates the LX and EX per month. I think people like me are going to really have to consider how much that Android Auto, moonroof, Lane Watch, rims, remote car start, and so on are worth.
Oh, and one other thing. If you like the typical black/gray/silver color schemes, that's going to be most of what you see for a while. White and red will be in the mix too for the earlier cars, but, its going to be a good bit before the burgundy and electric blue show up at dealers. Perfect for me since I'm already willing to wait, but bad news if you've got your heart set on those "different" colors as of now.
