2016 Honda Civic Review: A Sporty and Sophisticated Sedan

Event Launch

Honda Motor Company held an exclusive event for the launch of the all-new 2016 Honda Civic. The event was attended by Honda Middle East management and the members of the media (you can read more about the event here). The event included a test drive to Fujeirah and back to provide journalists with firsthand impressions of the car. There were also a Toyota Corolla and Hyundai Elantra available for comparison. So, let’s look at the Civic in detail (you can read more about the car details here).

Key Features

Also See: Honda Civic specs and prices

Exterior

From the first glance, the new 2016 Honda Civic is a winner. It is everything the previous Civic wasn’t. The 2016 model features sporty looks, a wider and lower frame, LED headlamps, and tail lamps. The car has a strong presence on the road and due to its sophisticated styling, it is a head-turner. Everyone loves the Civic, so it is certainly worth a look. Thankfully, the new generation is worth a look or two. The only issue is that the RS model has twin tailpipes, but there are no exhaust finishers. The pipes are tucked away behind the rear bumper and are very hard to spot.

Interior

The new Civic’s interior is a pleasant place to be. It was mentioned during the press conference that European luxury compact sedans were the benchmark for designing this car, and that is clearly reflected. The interior cabin feels upscale. However, the armrest fabric in the EXi needs to be changed, as it is likely to get dirty quickly. Additionally, the glove box needs dampers, as it tends to fall down when opened. The rear A/C vents are a nice addition to the Civic, but for some reason, the air blower's intensity is divided between the front and rear vents. Other than that, the Civic has everything that today’s customers need from this segment.

Drive

The new Civic has replaced the 1.8 liter engine with two new engines: a 1.5 liter turbo and a 2.0 liter naturally aspirated engine. The EXi incorporates the 2.0 liter engine, while the RS model features the 1.5 liter engine. Both engines are paired with the CVT. For daily driving, the 2.0 liter CVT combination performs excellently. The engine is punchy, and the CVT helps maintain high revs for instant takeovers. However, the 1.5 liter CVT combo doesn’t appeal to me; the sporty nature of the turbocharged engine is not felt due to the CVT. There is no ‘turbo kick’ present in the RS, just a progressive surge accompanied by engine noise. If Honda provided a traditional automatic transmission with the turbocharged engine, it would create a proper sporty sedan, as having a manual transmission in this market is not practical. Other than that, there are no complaints. The ride quality is smooth with negligible road noise. Driving back and forth from Dubai felt effortless, which is a compliment in itself. All in all, well done.

Also See: Audi A8L Extended 2016 Limousine

Verdict

The Civic we all love and adore is back and has the potential to sell in high numbers.

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