2013 Civic Images Released

Honda releases the first two images of the refreshed 2013 Civic that will be unveiled at the 2012 LA Auto Show

Honda Civic

It was back in 1969 that the first Honda automobile, the N600, was officially imported into the U.S. Three years later, a new version arrived that was re-christened the Civic.

The rest, as they say, is history.

During the ensuing forty years, the Honda Civic has morphed from a 600cc subcompact into a compact that, in its ninth generation here in the States, offers a variety of engines including natural gas, hybrid (with a 1.5-liter engine) and two different gasoline versions – the standard 1.8-liter (detuned for the HF high-mileage model) and the higher-performance 2.4-liter found in the Civic Si.

During that time, the Civic earned a reputation for being roomy and reliable with generally excellent handling.

Much of that changed when Honda introduced the 2012 Civic – a vehicle that was generally skewered by the media. Even Consumer Reports found it lacking noting that it was not only "a step backwards." Getting specific, CR had this to say, "The interior looks cheaper, handling lost its agility, the ride is nothing special and road noise remains." Ouch.

2013 Honda Civic reboot

Noting all this, Honda took the extraordinary step of announcing, less than six months into production, that it would be revising the 2013 model. Earlier today, the Japanese manufacturer released the first images of the vehicle that will be revealed later this month at the 2012 LA Auto Show and will go on sale nearly simultaneously (a matter of hours) at Honda new car dealers on November 29th.

While the exterior shots show a mild refresh – for the better - both in front and in back, it's the interior and handling changes that will matter most.

Here is an excerpt from the press release:

The refined styling of the 2013 Civic Sedan, which goes on sale at Honda dealerships on November 29, will encompass a host of safety, feature, comfort, chassis and interior styling enhancements that will further define the top-selling Civic as the best car in the compact class.

The more upscale and premium styling of the 2013 Civic Sedan's front end includes a new open-mouth lower bumper with a horizontal chrome accent and a sportier, black honeycomb mesh grille, anchored by new integrated fog lights on upper trims. The grille is flanked by new clear-lens corner lights to provide a more premium look. The 2013 Civic's more sculpted front end flows into a new, more deeply faceted hood, complemented by a collection of sharp new wheel designs.

In back, a new rear bumper design and new rear trunk lid are capped by a clean, horizontal chrome trim piece. The all-new design of the jewel-like taillights now carries into the trunk face, providing a more finished and upscale look. The rear bumper features integrated reflector treatments and a new lower diffuser panel finished with a honeycomb mesh vent.