Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cars

First drive: 2016 Honda Civic Coupe

Honda returns the Civic to its prime with the totally retooled 2016 Coupe

Miles Branman
By

Watching engineers turn into giddy school girls is always fun, but especially so when they’re hyped up about a mass-market compact car. The hour-long presentation on Honda’s 6th generation Civic coupe was full of enamored verbiage from in-the-weeds project managers describing how dramatic this new Civic is compared to previous generations. Along with this was the occasional cheering from the company’s biggest fan, Honda Pro Jason.

Both California and Japanese design teams came together to turn the “epic” 10th generation Civic sedan into an even more entertaining two-door. Since the first Civic Coupe rolled off the production line in 1993, Honda has sold 2 million of them, but instead of playing its greatest hits, the automaker decided to go big on the latest model, to the enthusiastic approval of its workforce.

So far, that risk is paying off. Since the four-door Civic hit showrooms this past November, it has already matched sales highs usually reserved for summer months. Winning the North American Car of the Year award hasn’t hurt the model’s public appeal either.

Related

Now it’s the Coupe’s turn, the style-first configuration of Gen Y’s favorite whip.

‘Gram worthy

Unlike compact sedan buyers, Honda claims that coupe shoppers are sold on a car when they see it on the road, long before they take a test drive. Considering how many heads turn for the 2016 sedan, it’s no surprise that the new Civic’s flair works even better with two fewer doors.

2016 Honda Civic Coupe
Miles Branman/Digital Trends
Miles Branman/Digital Trends

A stand-in double for the Civic Concept that debuted at last year’s New York Auto Show, the Civic Coupe adds a wrap-around LED light bar to its taillight design and tightens the rear glass and greenhouse to emphasize the car’s plump haunches. Dimensionally, the new Coupe is lower, wider, and has a longer wheelbase than the current model, with added legroom for rear passengers and a lower seating position for driver and front passenger.

Considering how many heads turn for the 2016 sedan, it’s no surprise that the new Civic’s flair works even better with two fewer doors.

Like the sedan, the 2016 Civic Coupe’s front end is a home run. From all angles, the nose is beautifully bold, but paired with the Touring trim’s LED headlights, it’s one of best looking front fascias on the market. Moving rearwards, the silhouette creeps into hatchback territory thanks to the elevated trunk and slow-sloping roofline. Though that particular design trait might be confusing when the five-door hatch debuts later this year, it’s a unique look within the segment. Standard are 16-inch alloy wheels (the better of the two designs, in my opinion), but 17-inch rims come on EX-T and above trims.

As for the rear, I actually prefer the understated looks of the current generation coupe to the rounded rump of the new. Its design melts reasonably well within the overall vehicle’s sharp stance, but the U-shaped accent on the trunk that extends from the roofline feels overdone.

Honda offers eight colors for the coupe, including the two-door-exclusive Energy Green Metallic (just like the Civic Concept). For those who’d like to eventually sell their cars, however, the Aegean Blue is a more mature way to prove you have personality.

Where’s the punishment?

I assumed there was some unwritten rule that compact coupes equated to mild forms of torture for rear seat occupants. Someone forgot to share that bit of information with Honda, however, because the 2016 Civic Coupe’s backseats are more than pleasant accommodations for everyone except your in-laws.

For the majority of buyers who won’t be gunning for the top-spec Touring trim, even the modestly-equipped EX-T variant is packed with technology and other goodies, while all specs benefit from a handsome, spacious configuration.

In place of the current three-tiered dash, Honda’s wrap-around dashboard, ergonomic seats, and soft-touch or textured materials combine for a decidedly upscale impression. LX models come standard with an electric parking brake, LCD color audio system, and LED daytime running lights and taillights, but the EX-T’s 7.0-inch infotainment and 10-speaker audio system are excellent additions, especially with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay included. In between, LX-T vehicles improve on the base car’s equipment with a power moon roof, smart start and smart entry, and remote engine start.

Masochistic compact car shoppers be damned – this is a fine cabin indeed.

For those who want a luxury car’s technology without paying for pomp, the Civic Coupe Touring delivers Honda Sensing safety technologies, side mirror turn signals, rain sensing wipers, full LED headlights, Chrome door handles, and a Garmin navigation system. Honda’s Sensing system is worth the premium alone, as the combination of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-speed follow, Lane Keeping Assist, Road Departure Mitigation, CMBS (collision mitigation braking assist), Forward Collision Warning, and Lane Departure Warning add up to a cluster of semi-autonomous capabilities.

Honda’s reworked display gauges also make an appearance in the coupe. The center readout is now fully digital, showing the speedometer, tachometer, and a customizable screen with controls for navigation, audio, smartphone, and vehicle settings. Masochistic compact car shoppers be damned – this is a fine cabin indeed.

Fewer doors, more fun

Honda is such a tease sometimes. Experiencing the 2016 Civic sedan and its new ACE (Advanced Compatibility Engineering) platform was a breath of fresh air. The fun-to-drive soul of early Civics was back in a big way, but I helplessly longed for the Si version.

Now, behind the wheel of the two-door variant, I’ve inched closer to the enthusiast derivative. Compared to the sedan, the coupe has stiffer suspension damping, increased spring rates, bigger wheels, and lower unsprung chassis weight. Another delicious appetizer – now must I beg for the main course?

2016 Honda Civic Coupe
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Sincerely, this new coupe is a joy to pilot. As with the sedan, Honda targeted European performance and handling standards for the two-door version. In many ways, it’s mission accomplished. Steering is direct, braking is strong, and the new model has an empowering confidence to the way it navigates corners. Sure, I’d prefer more feedback through the steering wheel and I can’t name many European sport models with CVTs (Continuously Variable Transmissions), but this is an economy car, after all.

Powertrain options are ported from the 2016 sedan, meaning you can choose from 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque or the right decision, Honda’s 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 174 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. For now, a six-speed manual is reserved for the N/A motor while turbo lovers must make do with the aforementioned CVT – the fairest thing about which I can say is that it’s not hateful. While fuel economy is the CVT’s main priority in normal drive mode, “S” gives the CVT a shot of espresso.

If you have the means to shop EX-T and above trims, you’re treated to a genuinely quick setup; Honda casually mentioned that the new coupe with its 1.5-liter turbo four is quicker to 60 mph than the current Si. More good news: I may or may not have driven a turbocharged, six-speed manual-equipped Civic sedan test mule that will hit production this year.

Conclusion

Honda has owned the compact segment, especially among 18-35 year-olds, for a decade now, and despite an inexplicable series of missteps early in the 2010s, the brand has shown no signs of forfeiting its crown. The 2016 Civic, which will include sedan, coupe, hatch, Si, and Type R variants before long, is without present equal.

Though Honda has yet to announce pricing, when the 2016 Honda Civic coupe goes on sale in March, it will likely start just above the 2015 model year’s $18,290 figure. For reference, the 2016 sedan stickers at $18,640 in LX trim and swings up to $26,500 for Touring grade.

Styling, value, efficiency, and performance are packaged in a way that force rivals to vie for niches of the segment, rather than competing head-on with the latest Civic. While I may not quite match a Honda engineer’s ebullience, I can understand it.

Highs

  • Peppy powertrains
  • Eye-catching design
  • Generous passenger space
  • Balanced, rewarding handling

Lows

  • Over styled rear end
  • No manual turbo…yet

Editors' Recommendations

Miles Branman
Miles Branman
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Miles Branman doesn't need sustenance; he needs cars. While the gearhead gene wasn't strong in his own family, Miles…
Best electric car charger deals: $100 off home charging stations
The handle of the Grizzl-E EV charger plugged into a vehicle.

A few years ago, electric vehicles were pretty rare or cost a fortune, but with more and more of the larger car brands getting into the game, there are a lot of excellent and even budget-friendly choices nowadays. That said, the electrical network for charging your cars might not be that widespread, so instead you'll have to rely on charging your car at home. Luckily, there are a lot of excellent car chargers at a discount, so if you've just bought an EV or want to upgrade your current charging solution, be sure to check out our favorite deals below.
Shockflo EV charger — $205, was $220

This EV charger by Shockflo is a Level 2 EV charger, which offers six times faster charging than a standard charger. It delivers 24 miles with just one hour of charging, and it can act as a mobile charger you can throw in the trunk or be mounted to a wall. It has an LCD display with useful information like charging rate, voltage, and charging time, as well as LED indicator lights that lets you know charging progress and errors.

Read more
Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more
Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs
Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Read more