By Bill McLauchlan
While the Honda Civic has always been popular with younger drivers, especially first-time new car buyers, don’t go thinking this is a car for kids.
Sure, it’s an affordable choice for those just setting out on life’s car-owning journey, but a lot of older drivers buy one because it makes a lot of sense for growing families or heading into more mature years with a nned to downsize to a smaller, more practical vehicle for short trips and getting around town.
It might surprise you to know that, despite its youthful, fun-to-drive image, the average age of a Civic buyer is about 45. Though that fits in nicely with the younger tier of the Boomer generation it doesn’t mean you won’t see many more senior citizens behind the wheel of a Civic.
Such widespread appeal is what’s made the Civic, Canada’s best-selling passenger car for 15 consecutive years. A record to be proud of. And speaking of records, the Civic’s sales last month, up 36 percent over the same month a year ago, broke an eight-year-old all-time October monthly sales record for the company.
Aiming to maintain its competitive advantage, Honda has gone back to the drawing board and come back with a number of worthwhile enhancements for the 2014 model year. For instance, the Civic Coupe (above) and Si Coupe get a new, sportier look. All sedan and coupe models feature interior styling upgrades. There’s a new CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) available (replacing the 5-speed automatic in both body styles) to improve performance and fuel efficiency. By the way, on the Coupe EX and EX-L Navi content levels, the CVT transmission can be controlled with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters if you feel the need to indulge in some spirited driving on a winding road. It works in D and S ranges, the latter mimicking a 7-speed gearbox.
Also newly available is what Honda terms Display Audio, a new touchscreen control centre with optional navigation function. This centre-console display lets you swipe, tap and pinch – just like on your tablet or smartphone – to control the audio system, display choices and other advanced features. It’s included on all models except DL and LX trims. The EX-L Navi Coupe, Touring Sedan, Si and Civic Hybrid models combine the Display Audio interface with a fully integrated satellite navigation system.
If you look closely, you can spot a built-in camera system in the external side mirrors. They’re there to accommodate Honda’s new LaneWatch blind spot monitoring system. A helpful extra if you suffer any stiffness that limits turning your head or torso to make a shoulder-check. LaneWatch is available on all but the base Civic Coupe and Sedan. As is a convenient new Smart Entry with Push Button start feature.
Time for a disclaimer here: I’ve never been a great fan of the CVT. Oh, I can appreciate the benefits in fuel economy and engine efficiency it brings to the powertrain, but the steady-state engine sound and lack of discernible shift points is a tad unsettling to my ears and a brain attuned to years of cleanly-defined, rpm-related gear selections.
While I’m picking nits here, I should also express my own negativity toward the new Display Audio upgrade for the Civic. I have no qualms about its clarity, legibility and functionality, but I’m not sure about the touchscreen that replaces good old round knobs, raised buttons and rocker switches. They’re all fairly easy to operate by feel at night or in busy traffic environments without the need to take eyes off the road. Something that’s not as intuitive or simple with a flat-panel display that directs your gaze down inside the car rather than through the windshield where it belongs.
But, to each his own and the ultimate choice is yours. The 2014 Civic Sedan and Coupe launch at Honda dealerships nationwide in mid-December, followed by the Hybrid in early March and the Si Coupe and Sedan next Spring.
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