Flash Drive

2016 Honda Civic

July 22, 2016 - Behind The Wheel - Comments: 

Model Tested: 2016 Honda Civic Touring

The 2016 Honda Civic has crisp styling with a wide familial grille and LED headlights.
The 2016 Honda Civic has crisp styling with a wide familial grille and LED headlights.

Engine: 1.5-liter I-4 gas, 174 horsepower 162 lb-ft torque

Transmission: CVT automatic, front-wheel-drive

EPA Rating: 31/City—42/Highway—35/Combined

Base Price: $26,500

As Tested: $27,335

Performance:

Very nice highway ride

Electric power steering a little disjointed

Outstanding fuel economy (our best highway average was 44.8 mpg)

The slick alloy wheels are 17x7-inches.
The slick alloy wheels are 17×7-inches.

Econ mode is as advertised

Lane departure warning

Comfort:

Excellent, stretch-out driver legroom

Ample headroom

Power driver seat, but no lumbar adjustment

Thick, contoured, leather-wrapped steering wheel

Good auxiliary controls

Tilt/telescopic column

Three temperature heated front seats

Stretch-out front passenger legroom

Handsome interior styling

Quality interior materials

Leather seating surfaces

Roomy, more spacious rear seats

Two temperature heated rear outboard seats

Soft, medium width rear armrest with cupholders

Front seat room and comfort are excellent.
Front seat room and comfort are excellent.

Medium height rear floor hump

Utility:

Big front doors ease entry/exit

Great front row storage options

Long, deep center console bin with sliding tray

Extra, open storage at front of center console

Large glovebox, but no lock

Medium size sunroof

Big trunk with a flat floor

Fully carpeted trunk including deck lid

Modest lift-over height

Seatback releases in trunk

Split folding seats have slight incline

The Civic rear seat has 1.2-inches more legroom than previous models.
The Civic rear seat has 1.2-inches more legroom than previous models.

Medium to large rear door bins

One large, vinyl seatback storage pouch

WOW Factors:

Hybrid-like fuel economy from a non-hybrid

Spacious, comfortable interior

Lots of storage and cargo space

Rain sensing wipers

Whines:

The grille and headlights look like a Cheshire cat

No manual radio volume control, only touch screen and steering wheel

A large trunk and folding rear seat provide ample cargo capacity.
A large trunk and folding rear seat provide ample cargo capacity.

Bottom Line:

The 2016 Honda Civic is the tenth generation of this highly popular compact sedan. It’s grown significantly over the years and now has a larger than ever interior front and back. The diminutive 1.5-liter turbocharged I-4 is reasonably peppy and delivers hybrid-like fuel economy. Luxury features are in keeping with contemporary expectations and competitors, yet the Civic still offers a lot of value.