National Post (National Edition)
Breaking bland
Like it or loathe it, the 10thgeneration 2017 Civic’s looks mark a daring leap forward from the previous generation’s bland banality. There are more creases and folds in the sheet metal’s busy surface than a piece of origami, with edges as sharp as a cheese slicer.
The enormous LED tail lights that bracket the carved rump are a set of Transformer hands in an overall design that could be best described as “futuristic Meccano.” The outrageousness of the Civic Coupe’s appearance is amplified by its boy-racer faux brake vents and Energy Green Pearl paint, a colour that could probably be seen from outer space. Beauty being entirely subjective, I have to admit that while the new Civic is a bit overwrought for me, I heartily approve of Honda’s willingness to break out of the “safely inoffensive” mould.
If the exterior is a departure from the previous model, the cabin is a quantum leap forward. Gone is the two-tier “Star Trek” instrument display, replaced with a full digital speedometer, and the overall design is a step up in refinement. There’s more soft-touch material, along with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration.
Base models are powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, mated to either a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission. Midrange EX-T and top-range Touring models have an allnew turbo-four, producing 174 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately for turbo fans, only the EX-T can be configured with the six-speed manual. The consolation is that CVT-equipped models are compatible with Honda Sensing, a package of advanced radar- and camerabased technology that’s available as a $2,000 option for base LX models, and comes standard on the top-spec Touring. It includes adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, collision-mitigation braking, road-departure mitigation, lane-keeping assist and Honda’s Lane Watch camera. It’s impressive to think this sort of technology, once reserved for premium sedans, is now available on mainstream compact cars.
Wind and road noise are far less noticeable than in Civics of the past, and there’s an overall sense of good build quality and better sound insulation. While the CVT does tend to drone — particularly in Econ mode, when the transmission’s working to keep the engine revs low in the name of fuel economy — this is one of the less offensive of its type. Left to its own devices, the transmission helped deliver an overall average of 7.7 L/100 km over the course of a week.
I’m a big fan of Honda’s Lane Watch blind-spot camera and find it comes in handy living in a town with a healthy cycling population and dedicated bike lanes. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist are nice features for those whose commutes feature heavy traffic. The collision-warning system could be less sensitive; the flashing red BRAKE warning when behind other vehicles is more startling than confidence inspiring.
Annoying, too, is the connectivity system’s interface; it’s needlessly labour intensive. Is there anything more aggravating than having to access a screen to change the cabin temperature, or change the volume on the sound system? Let’s not even talk about the voice-activated controls for the navigation system; relying on them would have sent me across the border to Pittsburgh rather than to Peterborough, Ontario, as I’d requested.
When it comes to ride quality, the Civic is among the best in its class: smooth and sporty without being too firmly sprung nor harsh. Cornering is flat and predictable, thanks to a multi-link rear suspension, and there’s little flex or roll from the stiff chassis. Steering is precise.
One of the most reliable cars that money can buy, the Civic has a reputation for longevity, hence excellent resale value. While more expensive than competitors, it comes with a long list of standard features, delivers excellent fuel economy and boasts the sort of modern styling sure to please fans of flashy imported sports coupes.