The '09 Civic Gets A Much-Needed Refresh

[YSSMAN]

Nothing really huge to talk about here other than it looks better than the current version. The look is a bit more "clean," and little less "sharp," and overall just more-appealing.

 

[Jim Prower]

At least it's a step in the right direction...the opposite direction of where Honda's been moving lately.

 

[Robin]

Im sorry but the US Civic looks horrid compared to the EU/JPN version.. I don't get why they can't just sell the version we have here over there...

Robin

 

[Jim Prower]

That metallic hamster? With it's torsion bar suspension?

*Squeek!*

However, the JDM version...

Now THAT'S better.

 

[homeforsummer]

Agreed. The JDM Civic is a great design. I prefer it to the USDM version, which I like about equally with the European one. The Euro one is interesting but I prefer saloons in general hence the versions I like.

As for the facelift, looks okay. Front end from the FCX again.

 

[Robin]

That metallic hamster? With it's torsion bar suspension?

True, but every inch of the interior and exterior is visually a design perfection!

 

[Jim Prower]

In your opinion. It looks like an angry hamster to me. very busy, too. It looks even worse in standard form, with that silver thing that extends the headlights all the way across like the old Mercury sable.

 

[Tornado]

Don't be hating on the old Sable. Find one where the front light assembly actually works and you have night driving perfection.

 

[Robin]

In your opinion. It looks like an angry hamster to me. very busy, too. It looks even worse in standard form, with that silver thing that extends the headlights all the way across like the old Mercury sable.

Yeah, the one piece light cluster thing is slightly odd (cars did it in the 90's) but I do like the Honda logo suspended in the glass. I think the angryness of it all does it for me. It was as edgy as the Reventon before the Reventon!

The interior looks out of this universe and I guess its just all the craziness around the car that makes it look unique... the side profile of the US civic looks like any other 4 door saloon... its even got normal handles as apposed to the arrow head style ones on the civic we have here.

But I guess its not to everyones taste, you don't actually see all that many of them round the UK, and if you do they are usually type-r's.

Robin

 

[Wolfe]

Sorry, Robin, but I think the Euro Civic is hideous. If it makes you feel better, I think the USDM Civic looks like it rolled out of the factory in 1999 and the JDM Civic is just "meh."

 

[Jump_Ace]

Im sorry but the US Civic looks horrid compared to the EU/JPN version.. I don't get why they can't just sell the version we have here over there...

Robin

I questioned the same thing in college and its their perception/marketing to what they think we want in the USA vs. everyone else. Its so dumb, but there for a reason I mean look at Nascar...a left turn, oohh another left...Infeneon? Oh let's make a stock car course, its gotta be 'simplified' to be accepted in America. That was my stance on the paper at least. To each his own tho

Jerome

 

[Tornado]

I questioned the same thing in college and its their perception/marketing to what they think we want in the USA vs. everyone else.

Stylistically deficient or not, our Civic is better than their Civic. And no one in America would have bought the Euro Civic anyways.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

I really like the Si we get in the US. The others are kind of meh, but the JDM four door is pretty decent.

 

[homeforsummer]

The four-doors aren't trying too hard like the Euro one is.

 

[JCE]

I like the current Civic's aethetics actually...while this new refresh doesn't make them look ugly perse...it does emphasize way too much chrome and the current direction Honda is going which is completely rubbish.

 

[YSSMAN]

Stylistically deficient or not, our Civic is better than their Civic. And no one in America would have bought the Euro Civic anyways.

...I would have bought a Euro Civic...

Then again, I'm not like "most Americans." Between the three, the Japanese Civic arguably looks best for enthusiasts, but because that style language isn't used in the US, and for that matter the US Hondas have to look different than the Acuras, it wouldn't have flown far. Ours is a good balance between the current US style and the JDM look, and at least in my opinion, it ends up leap-frogging the Corolla by a long-shot, sticking it right behind the Jetta and the Mazda3 for "best in class" design.

 

[ND4SPD]

Im sorry but the US Civic looks horrid compared to the EU/JPN version.. I don't get why they can't just sell the version we have here over there...

Robin

And if you're desperate enough, but don't want to pay an arm and a leg for the JDM front end. Just import over the front end pieces and tail lights of the Canadian CSX's we get here. Pretty much the JDM civic in terms of looks.

 

[JohnBM01]

I remember in 2006 when we saw the Civic. Lots of those who hated it (much less hate the Civic in general). I actually thought it was alright compared to the previous-gen Civic at that time. The sporty Civic SI coupe was my favorite of the late model Civics with its sporty design. The fender flares adds some character to the sides including the side skirts. I like the front grill/grille on this one better than the late model Civics. The rear of the car remains unchanged from the first few pictures.

If it were up to me, I'd get the design of either that JDM Civic in post #4 or even the Honda Mugen Civic RR to the United States. Seems like the best Civics right now. I say the design of those because I'd be a bit fearful of 240hp in a FWD (or "wrong wheel drive" as someone called it) car. It isn't like the Civic is a sports car or anything. Say future Civic go RWD. Would they sell better and be better respected?

By the way, this new Civic gets 87% approval from me. The grill is a lovely improvement for me. I'd like larger and more aggressively-styled headlights for the front look.