2014 Honda Civic - More Enhancements and a New Look for the Coupe

Continual Improvements

Since the 9th Gen Civic came out in 2012, Honda has been making pretty impressive improvements each year. Of course, there is a good reason for this; the original 2012 9th Gen Civic was not well received by everyone, including many magazine critics. In an effort to right this wrong, Honda has really been pulling out all the stops in terms of making the current generation Civic as competitive as possible. Is the 2014 another step in the right direction? Most potential customers will confidently say YES, but the new coupe styling has been met with some resistance. We're also a bit surprised at the direction Honda took the front bumper in, but we also have enough experience to know that most radical designs take some time to get used to. Overall, the improvements in the 2014 Honda Civic are welcome, even though for the most part nothing major has changed except for the coupe styling.

Summary of Changes for the 2014 Honda Civic:

• New sportier exterior styling for Civic Coupe and Civic Si Coupe
• Interior styling upgrades for all Civic models
• New available CVT that enhances performance and fuel efficiency
• New available Display Audio with 7-inch pinch, tap and swipe touchscreen
• Increased engine performance on all models except Natural Gas and Hybrid
• Civic HF achieves a class-leading 35 mpg combined EPA rating
• New available features include Honda LaneWatch™ blind spot display and Smart Entry with Push Button start

Following the major refresh of Civic Sedan styling for 2013, Honda decided that the Civic Coupe was also in need of a refresh, implementing a host of exterior design changes that include a more aggressive grille, fender, hood, and headlight design. The 2014 Honda Civic Coupe exterior changes include new tail light lenses, sportier front and rear bumpers, new side mirrors and new wheel designs, with larger size wheels on some models. Inside, a host of premium interior refinements were applied to all models, including new seat fabrics, door panel trim and audio panel color coordination.

The 2014 Civic Coupe also receives additional performance enhancements, including revised suspension tuning with higher spring rates and a stiffer rear stabilizer bar. A revised exhaust system raises power output by 3 horsepower to 143 hp and by 1 lb-ft of torque to 129 lb-ft. For added driver engagement, the Civic EX and EX-L Coupe models feature new steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

The 2014 Civic Si Coupe benefits from the same styling enhancements as the standard Civic Coupe but adds Si-exclusive design elements, including a unique lower front bumper garnish, larger rear decklid spoiler, and distinctive front and rear air diffusers. Both the Si Coupe and Si Sedan get larger, 18-inch wheels and tires with new wheel designs. They also get revised suspension tuning, with higher spring rates, new dampers and stiffer rear stabilizer bar. Power is boosted to 205 horsepower (+4 horsepower) and 174 lb-ft of torque (+4 lb-ft) via a retuned exhaust system.

New innovations and premium features abound on the 2014 Honda Civic. Standard and available features include a new 7-inch Display Audio touchscreen control center with optional navigation function, convenient Smart Entry with Push Button start, expanded view driver's mirror and Honda LaneWatch™ blind spot display for enhanced driver visibility, plus available auto on/off headlights and power driver seat with 8-way adjustability.

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 tail lights 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.

The 2014 Honda Civic Coupe and Sedan are available in LX, EX, EX-L and EX-L Navi versions. The Civic HF is available in a sedan body style. The Civic Si Coupe and Sedan are available in standard and Navi trims. Standard, Leather, Navi, and Leather Navi variants are available for the Civic Hybrid. The Civic Natural Gas is available in standard trim and a new Leather Navi version. The 2014 Civic Sedan and Coupe, including Si models, are offered in a new Modern Steel Metallic exterior color, while the Si Coupe and Si Sedan are available in a new Orange Fire Pearl.

For 2014, the gasoline engine powered Civic Sedan and Coupe models also receive an all-new Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) to replace the 5-speed automatic transmission on most 2013 models. Paddle shifters are available on the Civic Coupe CVT. A manual transmission is still available on the LX and EX trim Sedan and Coupe. The Civic LX, EX, EX-L, EX-L Navi and Si models get a power and torque boost.

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