Topic: First Drive: 2016 Honda Civic Sedan

[EV-Light]

As a Honda guy I can't watch indifferently...Honda again have built one good from technical point car - the 2016 Civic! But it isn't the right one IMO. It is too big comparing to Accord (even uses its platform!) so Honda automatically got into Nissan situation - Civic (like Altima) is going to eat sales from Accord (similar to Maxima). Having wrong products of its Acura brand, where regrouping of sizing and badging never stopped, Honda now transfer similar problems within the mainstream brand...The hybrid Hondas are almost discontinued and there is no any competition even with Hyundai, don't mind Toyota. Adding to this its extremely good small car Fit, with catastrophic low sales, just only makes the problem worse.

there's no money to be had with tiny cars...Honda is more concerned about investing on the HR-V, and where they have achieved a fair amount of success so far. The market is moving towards CUV/SUV, Toyota already predicts that by 2020 the RAV-4 will replace the Camry as their best selling vehicle in the US.

[conwelpic]

The FIT is the #2 seller in Canada (after the Accent).

Actually its the Rio that is #2 in the sub-compact market behind the Accent, Fit is in 4th place behind the Versa. (sales to the end of November).

I think the HR-V has eaten into the sales of the Fit since its launch and the Fit sales keep dropping.

[Ex-airbalancer]

The FIT is the #2 seller in Canada (after the Accent).

Actually its the Rio that is #2 in the sub-compact market behind the Accent, Fit is in 4th place behind the Versa. (sales to the end of November).

I think the HR-V has eaten into the sales of the Fit since its launch and the Fit sales keep dropping.

My son in law  said that Fit sales are up in Cobourg since the re model

[conwelpic]

My son in law  said that Fit sales are up in Cobourg since the re model

it may have locally but not nationally, they are going to have to sell 3,099 units in December just to match the 2014 year.

The HR-V first month sales was in June and not a full month - they sold 703 units.  The Fit 918 on a full month (2014 - 1,517)
July:  HR-V - 1,936; Fit - 674 (558)
Aug:  HR-V - 1,712; Fit - 566 (333)
Sept:  HR-V - 1,076; Fit - 581 (381)
Oct:  HR-V - 1,746; Fit - 613 (1,427)
Nov:  HR-V - 1,007; Fit - 525 (1,755)

Like I said, it sure looks like the HR-V is cutting into the Fit market and perhaps the Civic will cut into the Accord sales with this new larger model as what some people have speculated.

[safristi]

I was not too imprezzed   with the HRV..........(Harsh Rumbly & V noisy )..but it is beaucoup more $$ than a Fit...................can you still but those add on noise reducing kits for a few hundred if you have Bat Ears...

[warp]

So, I took the Civic out for a test drive this morning. It was an EX, but the wheel/tire package is the same so there was no difference in the ride/handling.

The biggest difference compared to the 2003 Accord V6 LX, is the ride. Honda have really upped their game in this area. The Accord crashed over every bump/expansion joint, the Civic is beautifully supple. Road noise is sharply down. On the highway acceleration was good with the CVT, 120 kmph came up effortlessly, wind noise at that speed is also reduced compared to the old Accord. Compared to a larger car, the Chrysler 300 (base touring) that I also drive, I would have to say that the Civic's ride is on par with the Chrysler, dynamically it is probably better, bump/pothole absorption is probably on par. The Chrysler suppresses wind noise better at highway speed.

It is easy to get into a comfortable driving position, I am 5:10. Rear seat leg space with the driver's seat adjusted for me is good, with 3-4 inches leeway from the seatback.

The big difference with the radio is that the volume adjustment is done via a touchscreen slider, no round knob anymore. It's not difficult, just got to get used to the change.

Overall, I would have to say that the Civic has now grown to a point that for some situations the Accord is not necessary e.g a multi vehicle family with other large vehicles available. With the 2016 Civic, 4 persons can go on a long drive. The trunk is also bigger by quite a margin and so an Accord that would have been necessary up until the last generation of the Civic may now no longer be needed.

[dkaz]

I have a physical volume knob in my Mazda 3 I hardly use, defaulting to the steering wheel instead.

[OliverD]

I have a physical volume knob in my Mazda 3 I hardly use, defaulting to the steering wheel instead.

Same here.

[Solstice2006]

The radio is in the middle to share.  The passenger in the passenger seat thinks the sliding thing is a POS!

[rrocket]

Civic has been named North American Car of the Year if anyone cares.

[rrocket]

The Malibu came in second ;-p

So the #1 loser?   

[Hammy]

I went out to Honda today to take a 2016 Civic Touring for a spin and also get them to assess the 335 for trade.  The touring is a great little car, I really love the looks and is plenty peppy, no 335 of course but I wouldn't expect it to be.  There were a few things I would like to have in the top level trim which are height adjustable passenger seats, heated steering wheel and maybe some paddle shifters.  I know it has the CVT but it would be fun to keep it revving a bit higher (if that's really possible with the cvt).

There is so much room in this thing it is amazing both front and back seats.  The interior looks great and there are soft touch bits everywhere, the touch screen is also top notch, I didn't mind having to use the slider for volume control. 

In the end though it really didn't matter how much I liked it, they are only offering 18,000 on a trade, which I sort of understand since there is a limited market for my car and it is the middle of winter.  In any event the Civic is a great little car and if I wasn't looking at a major loss on the bmw I would strongly consider getting one. 

On another note I have a service check on Tuesday and I think the brakes will need to be done so that should be a joyful day.

[Solstice2006]

^ Bet they don't come across that everyday.  I want to test drive a Civic Touring sedan, which is the exact opposite of the RWD 3 series coupe that I have currently, so give me an assessment on that. 

[dirtyjeffer]

saw one of the new Civic sedans yesterday at dusk...it appears this trim had a really nice set of LED headlights...i looked online and see the top Touring trim has these...it looked really nice.

[Jaeger]

My wife and I drove the top line Civic yesterday - a few random thoughts.

1) The car looks great from some angles (profile, rear three quarters) and decidedly less so from others (front) where it seems overly busy, particularly in lighter shades.  In white, the front end approaches fugly.

2) The LED lighting is freaking cool.

3) Interior is very good in terms of quality and layout.  Instrument cluster is a model of clarity.  The main center stack display is a bit too small and too crammed with info for those of us with less than perfect eyesight.  This might be my only serious negative about the car.

4) Interior room is impressive.  If you don't routinely carry 3 adults in back, you do not need an Accord.  Front seats are very comfortable.

5) Acceleration is good - not great.  I was perhaps expecting a put more of a solid push in the back given the numbers and the fact that this Honda actually has something called torque.  Not bad in the least.  Certianly entirely adequate.  But short of impressive in terms of seat-of-the-pants impression.  The facking CVT did not call attention to itself and that is the best I can say for it.

6) Steering is nicely weighted, but I chuckled to observe that it had the same center dead spot that my Sonata has.  Hyundai got crucified for that in reviews.  Honda gets a total pass.

7) The best thing about this car  might be the chassis / suspension.  Downright Germanic in the ride / handling compromise.  Felt much higher end than the price point in question. 

I'd take this over an Accord Sedan straight up.

9) NVH suppression is first rate, but you definitely hear the engine when the revs climb.  Not a negative for me - I think it makes a nice sound.

10) Overall a real winner.  They will sell a bazillion of these.

[Hammy]

^ Bet they don't come across that everyday.  I want to test drive a Civic Touring sedan, which is the exact opposite of the RWD 3 series coupe that I have currently, so give me an assessment on that.

Yes, the salesperson was a bit shocked!

[conwelpic]

not a good start, particular with Honda's so-called engine expertise:

Honda has put a stop sale on all its new 2016 Civic models with the 2.0L engine

CivicX is reporting that Honda has ordered a stop sale on all 2-liter four-cylinder-equipped 2016 Honda Civics. To blame: piston pin snap rings, which may be incorrectly installed or not installed at all.

This is the first recall of Honda’s tenth-generation Civic and includes 33,735 units in the United States and an additional 8,000 units in Canada. The recall has not yet been disclosed by the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration or Transport Canada.

According to an official Honda communication to dealers, the missing or incorrectly installed piston pin snap rings “may cause engine stall or failure.”

The recalled K-series 2-liter engine is available in LX and EX trims, along with the Canada-only DX trim.

A stop sale on 2-liter Civics will continue until dealers have been given parts to address the issue.

http://www.civicx.com/threads/2016-civic-engine-recall-piston-pin-snap-ring-issue-affecting-some-vins.1669/

[mixmanmash]

Lol.  I guess the engine assembler forgot to install the snap ring / cir-clip on the piston wrist pins.  Oops.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Lol.  I guess the engine assembler forgot to install the snap ring / cir-clip on the piston wrist pins.  Oops.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RvNS7JfcMM

 

[dougjp]

A bit more detail, “A small number of engines were produced with piston ping snap rings that may not be completely seated. If the snap ring is not completely seated, it will come out allowing the piston pin to contact the cylinder wall which can damage the engine.” and " According to the letter, the remediation process includes inspection of the engine with a borescope to determine correct pin snap ring placement. Vehicles exhibiting any concerns with the piston pin snap ring placement “may require the replacement of damaged pistons, piston pins or rings, or other related engine components.”

http://blog.caranddriver.com/honda-orders-stop-sale-on-2016-civic-official-recall-pending/

This is the tool Honda is ordering to perform the inspection.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=760250&group_ID=682424&store=&dir=catalog