The all-new 11th-generation Honda Civic Sedan has been reimagined for a new generation of drivers, with a clean and modern interpretation of Honda’s longstanding “Man Maximum/Machine Minimum” design philosophy. In essence, the M/M philosophy means maximizing the total environment for the driver and passengers, while minimizing the space needed for mechanical components. Plus, a new version of the Honda Sensing® suite of active safety and driver assistive technologies and multiple new airbag designs – including a world’s first application – continue to advance the state of the art in small-vehicle safety. As a result, the Civic features sporty design with a low cowl, excellent visibility, exceptional attention to detail and a space-efficient, human-centered interior. With two improved powertrains and a stiffer body structure graced by a reengineered chassis, the 11th-generation Civic also upholds the Civic tradition of rewarding its drivers with class-leading driving dynamics.
Civic has earned a reputation as a leader in small-car safety performance, and the 11th-generation continues that tradition with multiple new active and passive safety systems. In a world’s first, both frontal airbags have been designed to reduce the likelihood of brain injury by better controlling head motions in a collision, especially in oblique impacts, by reducing the rotational head motion of the driver and passenger. The Honda Sensing® suite of active safety and driver assistive technologies goes to the next level with the 11th-generation Civic. Additionally, the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure has been reengineered for even better compatibility in collisions with larger vehicles, and for enhanced occupant protection in oblique collisions. The new Honda Sensing® also uses a faster processor to more quickly identify pedestrians, bicyclists and other vehicles, plus road signs and road lines. Expanded functionality includes new Traffic Jam Assist.
LED lighting is used extensively for the exterior, including the wide-set headlights, daytime running lights, parking lights, and available fog lights. The taillights were designed to enhance the uninterrupted flow of the side character line and thus blend with the upper character line. Additionally, when turned on the internal lighting of the taillight maintains that character line. The taillight also uses a new fine-cut inner lens that ensures the lamp shines evenly from all angles. A conventional inner lens uses light-diffusing cuts that are more than 1.0 mm wide, and between 1.0 and 0.2-mm deep. The technology used in Civic is achieved by fine machining the width between 0.2 and 0.5 mm, with a depth as small as 5 to 25 microns (0.005 to 0.025 mm). This gives the lamp an even shine when turned on, and a clean look with almost no noticeable cutlines when off. Serving more than just a functional role, lighting is an integral part of Civic’s design. In front, the three-lamp headlight unit places the high beam in the middle, creating a “pupil” effect when the high beams are off.
Key to achieving the upscale styling goals of the 11th-generation Civic was pulling the bottom of the windshield A-pillars rearward by 1.96 inches. Additionally, the outside mirrors are now mounted on the door, behind the A-pillars, rather than at the base of the pillar itself. This helps reduce visual clutter and improve outward visibility for the driver and passengers. Along the roof line, Civic uses a laser brazing technology first applied to Accord, but with even tighter tolerances, eliminating the need for roof molding for a smooth and clean roof line. The hood has been lowered an inch where it meets the pillars, creating a “thin” profile by lowering the fender line which helps make the tires appear larger. The door handles are in a straight line under the character line, and the handles themselves have been redesigned for a cleaner look. A touchpad has replaced the locking button seen on the 10th-generation, and the keyhole has been cleverly hidden behind the handle itself. The strong horizontal lines also serve to emphasize the additional 1.4 inches of wheelbase.
Already the class benchmark for its combination of fun-to-drive personality and excellent fuel economy ratings, the 11th-generation Civic takes it to the next level with changes to both available engines. The naturally aspirated 2.0-liter 4-cylinder to improve emissions and fuel economy performance, while the turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine also gets improved fuel efficiency and emissions performanc. Changes to the 2.0-liter engine primarily focus on emissions and fuel efficiency improvements. A new catalytic converter uses a minimum of rare metals, while helping to reduce emissions to the SULEV30 federal standard. In LX and Sport trims, the all-aluminum 2.0-liter 4-cylinder produces 158-horsepower (SAE net) and 138 lb.-ft. of torque (SAE net) and powers the front wheels through a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The Civic’s 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine has a lightweight DOHC cylinder head that is made of low-pressure cast aluminum alloy. With exhaust passages cast directly into the cylinder head, the need for a traditional separate exhaust manifold is eliminated and the catalytic converter mounts directly to the cylinder head.The Civic’s 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve i-VTEC® engine uses an advanced valve control system to combine high power output with high fuel efficiency and low emissions.
The CVT in the Civic is well known for its smooth and efficient delivery of engine power to the drive wheels. However, further steps were taken for the 11th-generation Civic to help reduce the “rpm-led” feel when the acceleration feel comes after the increase in engine speed. This “rubber band effect” was reduced in the new Civic with increased engine torque and improved turbocharger response, which generate stronger acceleration at lower engine speeds, giving the engine a more natural feeling acceleration. Additionally, with the increased rigidity of the crankshaft and oil pan, the changes in engine sounds due to RPM changes are further reduced. The CVT for the 1.5-liter turbo uses a larger torque converter to better handle the additional torque generated by the updated engine. The transmission also benefits from the same drivability improvements as the unit used with the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, including updated G-Design shift control, downshift strategy and Step-Shift function. Additionally, Sport and Touring trims come standard with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, allowing drivers to choose between individual pre-set “ratios” for a dynamic driving experience.
