Honda is determined to keep its legendary compact at the top of its game. A new generation bowed for 2012, followed by a thorough refresh the next year. For 2014, the Civic comes in for yet another round of improvements.
Coupe models carry revised front and rear fascias, and all Civics get a boost in interior trim quality. The standard gasoline engine makes a few more horsepower, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) replaces last year’s five-speed automatic. The base coupe receives firmer suspension tuning as does the sporty Si. New features include keyless start, smartphone integration and a blind spot camera.
Most Civics are powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine good for 143 horsepower, matched to the new CVT. A five-speed manual is offered on the base sedan only. The Si gets a separate drivetrain: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 205 horsepower and a six-speed manual. All Civics are available as a coupe or sedan.
The mode lineup is rather extensive and covers a lot of market territory:
The base Civic comes with all the basics, plus a folding rear seatback, a rearview camera, Bluetooth phone and audio, text massing functionality, and a sound system with CD, a USB port and Pandora radio.
Stepping up to the EX adds alloy wheels, a blind spot camera, automatic headlamps, four-wheel disc brakes, keyless ignition, a sunroof, an upgraded sound system, a larger touchscreen display with smartphone integration and a split-folding rear seatback.
The letter L means the Civic cranks up the luxury quotient with heated leather seats (with power-adjustment for the driver on sedans), navigation, HD and satellite radio, and larger wheels and foglamps.
Equipped like the entry-level LX, the HF strives for peak non-hybrid economy with fuel-saving features like low-rolling-resistance tires, and aerodynamic wheels and body components.
Running exclusively on compressed natural gas (CNG) and comes in Base (similar to LX) and Leather (similar EX-L) trims.
The sportiest Civic sets itself apart from the rest of the lineup with Comes with a high-revving 2.4-liter engine and six-speed manual transmission, plus a sport-tuned suspension, unique interior trim and more aggressive exterior styling.
The entry-level LX represents the best overall value in light of its ample standard equipment and low price. It’s our pick of the bunch, unless you really must have performance, in which case the Si is the only way to go.
