Honda's recent 'conservatism' has started to show cracks, and they would be best advised to shed it, or risk moving downward over time.
Yes It is called the 8th gen Civic.
Why AC isn't standard given our climate I don't know
I specifically bought my Fit without a/c for the reason that where I live it might be hot enough to really need it two days a year. I would rather not have to deal with the extra cost, complexity and weight.
And it is not very green. I don't like AC. I don't like feeling that I'm sitting in my fridge. Living without AC, both in the car and at home. I found the summer don't feel as hot.