The tenth generation Honda Civic gets an all-new design language, upgraded chassis, new engine options improving in multiple ways over its less-liked predecessor.
One of Honda’s more popular cars globally, the Civic is a highly loved product that the automaker managed to complicate in its ninth generation. Hence, a correction was in order and the Japanese auto major seems to have finally got it right as the tenth generation Civic has made its official debut at a special event in Los Angeles, USA and certainly carries a ton of improvements in almost all departments. The styling harnesses those futuristic lines once again, featuring a smoothly finished front fascia with a step-up grille flanked by optional LED headlights, sporty bumper and sleek hood.
The side profile gets a coupe-like roofline and justifies the four-door coupe tag Honda wants to call it. The roof-line seamlessly integrates in the rear that gets C-shaped LED tail lights and comes with a lot of sharp cuts and creases, which lend a sporty appeal. In terms of dimensions, the new Civic has grown 51 mm wider and 25 mm lower, while the wheelbase has grown by 30 mm. This has helped improve rear seat legroom by 2-inches while the boot capacity has increased by 73-litres. The rear headroom could be a concern.
Honda has also intensively used ultra-high strength steel in the 2016 Civic’s construction for 25% better torsional rigidity and has shaved 31 kgs over its predecessor. Inside the cabin, the D-segment sedan gets updated with improved plastics, a new 7-inch HD touchscreen display with Honda’s new infotainment unit that is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The instrument cluster uses a TFT display in the centre now, flanked by traditional gauges on either side.
Engine options on the new generation Honda Civic include a 1.5-litre direct-injection, turbocharged in-line, four-cylinder petrol said to produce around 30 HP more than the outgoing 1.8-litre unit’s 173 HP, and comes paired to a CVT transmission. There is also a 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine for the base variants that makes 158 HP and will come paired to a 6-speed manual and CVT autobox. The Civic Type R will also be offered in the US powered by a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol mill producing 306 HP.
Other mechanical upgrades include a new chassis featuring a revised front strut and a new multi-link rear suspension mounted on an ultra-rigid rear sub frame. Further, the new Honda Civic gets four wheel disc brakes, beefier front and rear stabiliser bars, disc brakes on all wheels and Honda’s Agile Handling Assist brake-torque vectoring technology. An Indian launch can’t be anticipated given the sluggish sedan sales in the D-segment, but we will surely appreciate the model making a comeback with a diesel heart.
