---
title: "Critics’ Notebook: 2016 Honda Civic"
description: "Business Class at a not-terribly-deep discount."
date: "2016-01-14"
modified: "2016-01-14"
authors:
  - name: "Brett Berk"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/brett-berk"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/1682/critics-notebook-2016-honda-civic"
categories:
  - "Car Reviews"
  - "Honda Civic"
  - "Honda Reviews"
tags:
  - "Civic"
  - "compact"
  - "Critics' Notebook"
  - "honda"
  - "sedan"
---

# Critics’ Notebook: 2016 Honda Civic

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/archive-images/criticnotebook_2016hondacivic_hero.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com\</em\>*

Getting into the new Honda Civic, it is immediately evident that one is encountering a highly revised version of the previous de-contented tin can. And not only because this handsome, fastback-ish sedan looks like it was [drawn by designers using precision tools](<https://www.thedrive.com/design/239/this-guy-is-why-the-honda-civic-isnt-boring-anymore>) (and a 7/10 Audi A7 maquette) instead of created by leaving a giant bar of Dial out in the Ohio spring until it was suitably featureless. This is a good-looking little vehicle—though, as with most things I critique (not entirely), it’s what’s on the inside that counts.

***[RELATED: Honda Civic Has Gone Business Class](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/542/honda-civic-has-gone-business-class>)***

Honda proved, with its previous-generation-Civic-based-rebodied/reimagined Acura ILX, that it could make a dashboard that presented relevant information to the driver while occupying fewer levels than a [Paul Rudolph building](<https://higbiemaxon.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Paul-Rudolph.jpg>). Now, they’ve brought that skill down to the mass-er market. I’m personally fine with getting rid of the dashboard altogether and going fully head up. But, a legible Civic dashboard! I will accept this. Especially one that is reminiscent of the first-generation Prelude’s nesting tach/speedo to boot. Now, if only Honda could go similarly analog with its infotainment volume switch, which remains an impossible to locate/adjust capacitive slider. At least there are redundant buttons on the steering wheel.

Power is revised as well, coming as it does now—in the top-spec EX Touring trim we tested—from a peppy, turbocharged 1.5-liter engine. Sadly, at least for now, this engine is mated solely to a Continuously Vibrating Transmission, not our favorite mode of getting power to the road. At least in S mode (which we assume stands for Sport?) it sort of fakes some shift detents. (You can get a stick if you stick with the stripper LX, which comes mated to the old 158-hp 2-liter V-Tec four-cylinder.) It is fun to drive in the city, which is a meaningful endorsement for a city car.

Smooth, handsome and roomy, however, come at a cost. This thing is kind of big. And at $27,300 as equipped, it also tops the $25,000 price of my dream-spec stripper Accord sedan, which comes equipped with Honda’s bigger and butterier four-cylinder and a six-speed manual. I’ve never owned a Civic, but I’ve owned three Accords (a 1980 hatchback, a 1990 sedan and a 1999 sedan), and I’ve never owned a Honda with an automatic. If I could build a Civic just the way I wanted, I might just be tempted.

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**2016 Honda Civic EX Touring**

**PRICE (as tested):** $27,300

**POWERTRAIN:** 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder; 174 hp, 162 lb-ft torque; FWD; continuously variable automatic transmission

**MPG:** 31 city / 42 highway

**ACCORD-DOMINATING CAPACITY:** Questionable

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