Fresh on the heels of having the Civic Sedan named North American Car of the year for 2016, Honda has introduced a completely new version of the Civic Coupe. This latest iteration incorporates some of the engine, suspension and interior upgrades Honda gave the Sedan, but with some further styling cues more in keeping with the sportier coupe.
Honda is positioning the 2016 Coupe as a completely different vehicle when compared to the 2015 model. Changes to the architecture have made it roomier, safer and quieter, while the same two new engines that power the 2016 Sedan also make this Coupe more powerful than its predecessor. As with the Sedan, the Civic Coupe offers either a new 1.5-liter DOHC power plant or a 2.0-liter DOHC port-injected i-VTEC engine, the choice of which depends on the trim model.
Civic Coupes in LX and LX-P trim are powered by the 2.0-liter and mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with Honda G-Design shift control, both of which work together to provide smoother, more efficient shifting. Coupe owners of the less expensive LX package have the option of a more tactile experience by choosing a quick shifting six-speed manual transmission.
Civic Coupes in the more expensive EX, EX-L and Touring trim are powered by the 1.5-liter DOHC, 4-cylinder turbo that also features VTC (variable timing control) and electronic wastegate to improve overall turbo performance. The EX and touring models also get a new CVT designed to optimize power delivery across the engine's full operating range by taking full advantage of the improved turbo's performance.
Turbo owners get a power plant that kicks out 174 hp (130 kW) and 162 lb-ft (220 kw) of torque, while those opting for the 2.0 liter get 158 hp (117 kW) and 138 lb-ft (187 Nm) of torque. The top end of the fuel economy is listed at a claimed 35 mpg (6.7 L/100 km) for the turbo models, and 31 mpg (7.6 L/100 km) for the manual transmission.
The Coupe has also been equipped with an updated suspension and improved handling thanks to what Honda is calling Agile Handling Assist. Essentially this selectively applies brakes to individual wheels to prevent wheel spin for improved cornering and stability. A wider track, longer wheelbase and wider tire tread add to the two-door's sporty capability.
A greater use of high-tensile steel in the body, high strength steel in the floor and further design improvements to the body were used to improve overall safety and collision performance. Honda also claims the vehicle is one of the most tightly sealed Honda bodies it's ever made. Combine that with the use of higher grade materials in the interior, and Honda claims the Coupe boasts a level of quietness that "challenges luxury-class compact –segment" vehicles.
While upgraded materials were used to improve the interior, a more substantial change inside the Coupe was the addition of another 7.8 cubic feet (221 L) of passenger volume over what was previously available in the older version. This boils down to a total of 91 cubic feet (2,577 L) of overall passenger space in the lower end models and 88.6 cubic feet (2,509 L) in the upgraded editions.
On the outside, Honda concentrated on accentuating the overall lines of the car creating both a sleeker profile and slightly more aggressive stance.
Depending on which of the six different models you choose, Honda has also made the new Coupe a highly connected vehicle with remote engine start, electronic parking brake, walk away door locking, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats and rain-sensing wipers.
Pricing for the new Honda Coupe starts at US$19,050 for the LX package, with the most expensive Touring version going for $26,125. Customers can expect to start seeing the 2016 Coupe in showrooms next week.
Source: Honda
