Honda Unveils All-New 2016 Civic Sedan

What Honda calls "the most ambitious remake of Civic ever" comes off as the most stunning Civic the manufacturer has ever brought to market

2016 Honda Civic Sedan

Yesterday afternoon in Detroit, Honda took the wraps off the 10th generation of its longest-running nameplate. The 2016 Civic sedan, which will reach dealerships this fall, is the first of a promised five different configurations that will eventually be sold here in the U.S.

The latest model also boasts a number of "firsts" including:

• The first Civic led by a U.S.-based development team
• The first Civic to feature a turbocharged engine
• The first Civic to be developed from a new global architecture

The new platform will spawn five different gen 10 models: sedan, coupe, high-performance Si models, five-door hatch and a Type R – the first-ever for the U.S. market.

Under the 2016 Civic's hood

Although we haven't gotten a chance to actually peek under the hood, here in the States the new compact will be offered with two engines. LX and EX models will receive a 2.0-liter 16-valve, DOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine with LX buyers getting the choice of either a 6-speed manual or CVT automatic while the EX trim level will only be offered with a CVT.

Meanwhile, the sedan in EX-T, EX-L and Touring trims will be powered by a 1.5-liter, direct injected and turbocharged 16-valve DOHC inline-4, paired with a unique CVT.

While we'll have to wait at least two weeks to get horsepower and torque figures for both engines, Honda describes the 2-liter as "the most powerful base engine ever offered on Civic", while the 1.5-liter is characterized as "delivering a new level of responsiveness in this capacity class of turbocharged engine."

2016 Civic chassis

Depicting its underpinnings as "the most sophisticated chassis in Civic history", the new Civic platform and suspension combination allows for a lower floor and engine with the result being a 1-inch lower hip point. High-strength steel is up from 1 percent to 12 percent of the unit body, aerodynamic efficiency is up 12 percent, body torsional rigidity is up by 25 percent and the unit body, itself, is 68 pounds lighter than that of the outgoing model.

New Civic exterior

But the changes aren't limited to those specs. Compared to the 2015 model, the 2016 Civic is 2 inches wider and 1 inch lower with a 1.2-inch longer wheelbase. The front overhang is more compact, the hood is longer and the roofline boasts what Honda calls a "fastback-style tail."

LED front running lights and LED taillights are standard; while in-line type LED headlights are optional.

Bigger Civic interior

Other than the obvious styling changes, the new Civic's cabin boasts of an additional 3.7 cubic feet of interior room including an additional 2 inches of legroom for rear seat passengers. Trunk space is also up by 2.6 cubic feet while EX and above trim levels will feature a 60/40 split folding rear seat for added versatility.

The list of standard interior amenities has also grown to include automatic climate control (dual zone on EX-L and higher trims), front auto up/down power windows, an electronic parking brake (with brake hold), LED shift indicator, LED lighting, reconfigurable center console with piano black finish and "Walk-Away" door locks.