Honda has released 2016 Civic sedan pricing and on-sale information as well as EPA fuel economy estimates
2016 Honda Civic sedan
It's been just over a month since Honda revealed the tenth-generation Civic sedan to the media. At the time, other than being able to crawl around it and photograph the interior and exterior (under the hood was off-limits), very little detail was released about the new model – although we were promised that it would be forthcoming.
Well, that moment has finally arrived.
Under the hood
The 2016 Civic sedan will come with two engine choices, depending on the trim level chosen. LX and EX models come with a 2.0-liter normally aspirated, port injection, inline-four. It produces 158 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and a maximum of 138 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,200 rpm. The standard transmission on the LX is a new 6-speed manual, while a CVT automatic is optional on the LX and standard on the EX.
The CVT offers three different automatic models. The D mode is for normal driving, an S mode that offers more aggressive transmission mapping and an ECO mode for the full-on, buzzkill, hair-shirted best in fuel economy.
EX-T, EX-L and Touring buyers will be treated to the second engine, which is a 1.5-liter turbocharged, direct injection, inline-four. It generates 174 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 162 lb.-ft. of maximum torque between 1,800 and 5,500 rpm. Unfortunately, the only transmission choice with the turbo is yet another CVT, albeit one that has evolved from Accord 4-cylinder models. In adapting it to the Civic turbo, the final gear ratio has been made 4.69 percent taller, to allow for lower engine rpm while cruising.
Both engines take advantage of a drive-by-wire throttle system, while all three transmissions feature a hill start assist system to prevent the vehicle from rolling back until the driver depresses the throttle.
Body and chassis
Compared to the outgoing model, the new Civic's unibody is 68 pounds lighter, while offering a 25 percent increase in torsional rigidity and a 19 percent increase in bending rigidity. 59 percent of the body consists of high strength steels – 14 percent of which is ultra-high strength steel, an increase of 4 percent and 13 percent, respectively, from the previous generation. Curb weight ranges from 2,742 pounds for a manually-equipped LX to 2,923 pounds for a CVT-equipped Touring model.
Up front, the Civic retains its MacPherson strut suspension, while in back there's a new multi-link independent suspension. Standard on all trim levels is a new electric parking brake with automatic brake hold and, in a first for Civic, all models will now come equipped with 4-wheel disc brakes. Also new and standard across the line is Agile Handling Assist – a system that applies braking force to the inside wheels during high-speed cornering to reduce understeer and generate more turning force for a more confidant handling feel.
Automatic Brake Hold, also standard, when applied at a traffic light or when the vehicle is in heavy traffic, frees the driver from having to continually press the brake pedal. When the system is activated (via a center console switch) and the brake pedal is pressed until the vehicle comes to a stop, it will maintain brake pressure even if the driver releases the brake pedal and the vehicle will remain stopped until the driver presses the accelerator pedal.
Honda has also introduced a new capless fueling system on the Civic that eliminates the fuel cap – eliminating the chance of forgetting the fuel cap at a gas station as well as eliminating the possibility of activating an emissions warning by failing to re-install the cap or re-installing it improperly.
Honda Sensing
Honda Sensing, available on all trim levels, is an optional suite of safety technologies that includes:
• Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW) integrated with RDM
• Forward Collision Warning (FCW) integrated with CMBS
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow
• Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS)
• Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)
2016 Honda Civic LX
Standard equipment on the 2016 Civic LX includes a 2.0-liter inline-4 mated to a six-speed manual transmission, 5-inch color LCD screen, multi-angle rear view camera, power windows, locks and outside mirrors (body color), LED daytime running lights and taillights, auto on/off projector beam headlights, 160-watt audio system with 4 speakers, automatic climate control, cruise control, tilt and telescopic steering column, floor mats, front cup holders, illuminated steering wheel-mounted controls, 160-watt audio system, Bluetooth audio and HandsFreeLink and 16-inch steel wheels with covers.
2016 Honda Civic EX
The EX trim level adds 16-inch alloy wheels, power moonroof with tilt, smart entry with push-button start, standard CVT transmission, heated outside mirrors, rear view camera with dynamic guidelines, Honda LaneWatch, 180-watt audio system with 8 speakers, variable intermittent windshield wipers, rear seat center arm rest, rear seat cup holders, 60/40 split fold down rear seatback, 7-inch display audio touch screen and HondaLink, Apple CarPlay/Google Android Auto.
2016 Honda Civic EX-T
In addition to the 1.5-liter turbo four, the EX-T trim level adds 17-inch alloy wheels, a fin-type roof antenna, remote engine start, fog lights, body-color decklid spoiler, dual zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, SiriusXM radio and HD radio.
2016 Honda Civic EX-L
Stepping up to the EX-L trim adds leather seats (heated in front), a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and an 8-way power driver's seat.
2016 Honda Civic Touring
Going all the way up to the Touring model gets you LED turn indicators, LED headlights with auto on/off (low & high beam) chrome door handles, outside mirror turn indicators, rain-sensing windshield wipers, 4-way power passenger seat, satellite-linked navigation system with digital traffic and a 450-watt premium audio system with 10 speakers including subwoofer.
2016 Honda Civic prices and availability
Model, Transmission, MSRP, EPA City/Hwy/Combined MPG
Civic LX Sedan 2.0 L, 6-Speed Manual, $19,465, 27/40/31
Civic LX Sedan 2.0 L, CVT , $20,265, 31/41/35
Civic LX Sedan w/Honda Sensing, 2.0 L, CVT, $21,265, 31/41/35
Civic EX Sedan 2.0 L, CVT, $21,865, 31/41/35
Civic EX Sedan w/Honda Sensing 2.0 L, CVT, $22,865, 31/41/35
Civic EX-T Sedan 1.5 L Turbo, CVT, $23,065, 31/42/35
Civic EX-T Sedan 1.5 L Turbo w/Honda Sensing, CVT, $24,025, 31/42/35
Civic EX-L Sedan 1.5 L Turbo, CVT, $24,525, 31/42/35
Civic EX-L Sedan 1.5 L Turbo w/Honda Sensing, CVT, $25,525, 31/42/35
Civic EX-L Sedan 1.5 L Turbo Navi, CVT, $25,525, 31/42/35
Civic Touring Sedan 1.5 L Turbo, CVT, $27,325, 31/42/35
The Manufacturer's Suggest Retail Prices (MSRP) include an $825 destination charge. The 2016 Honda Civic sedan should start hitting dealer showrooms on November 3rd of 2015, its official on-sale date.
