The Honda Civic has managed to accomplish a non-easy feat—to enter its 16th year as Canada’s best-selling passenger car. Since the company launched its ninth-generation (!) Civic in 2012, it’s had to perform some tweaks on the styling on more than one occasion to appease customers. Fortunately they seemed to get the recipe right with the current mid-model refresh.
The bumpers have received a significantly more aggressive do-over: big black cutouts in the front flank the center mesh opening. The grille above sports a subtle inset strip of chrome that appears integrated with the high beam section of the new, more chiseled headlamps. Stylized grooves have been carved into the painted side mirror caps, and, on the rear bumper, a pair of red reflectors and a black mesh diffuser have been added.
The rest of the body appears largely unchanged, from the appearance of the curvy body panels to its high-strength, lightweight steel construction that contribute to the Civic receiving a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Speaking of safety, the 2014 includes availability of Honda’s smart LaneWatch blind spot monitor. When the driver flips his or her turn signals on, the optional seven-inch capacitive display shows a camera view of the sides of the car, and is helpful for spotting cyclists and other well-hidden objects.
One downside to the new touchscreen is the disappearance of a rotary volume knob—I challenge any driver to try and quickly mute the sound by tapping their finger. I found the infotainment system in general tricky to use, an observation I have made on more than one occasion in regards to some of the Japanese carmaker’s latest vehicles. At least the Civic has only one center console screen to contend with, unlike the Accord.
On my EX trim press car with the all-new continuously variable transmission, the heart is a 1.8-liter 143-horsepower four-cylinder engine that is found throughout the range except for the Si. With 129 lb-ft of torque at 4,300 rpm it won’t knock your socks off, but it will save you money at the pump with posted fuel economy numbers of 30 mpg in the city, 39 on the highway, and 33 combined. My observed result was 27.7 mpg in mixed driving conditions.
Not surprisingly, the CVT—with its wider ratio range and reduced internal friction—fares better in fuel consumption efficiency than its five-speed manual counterpart, which has a manufacturer estimate of 28 mpg city and 36 highway. I'd bet it’s more fun to drive, though. And smooth as the CVT is, engine noise is still a factor when you get on the throttle for highway merges and passing scenarios.
Like all other Civics before it, the new Civic fares well in the handling department. The relatively compact size and low weight of the vehicle make it easy to drive and park in the city. The much-needed exterior refresh helps it stand out in an increasingly saturated compact car market, as well.
MSRP: $20,290
Motor: 1.8-liter four cylinder
Horsepower: 143 @ 6,500 rpm
Torque (lb.-ft.): 275 @ 4,300 rpm
Gearbox: CVT
Layout: front-wheel drive
Fuel economy (Observed): 27.7 mpg combined
Seats: five
