Yahoo Autos 2016 Honda Civic Coupe: First Drive
Honda is on a mission of redemption when it comes to its popular compact, the Civic. Despite the previous, ninth-generation model selling in record numbers, that car’s lackluster reception by enthusiasts and the media seems to have gotten under Honda’s skin. And so, for 2016, the Civic sedan was not just redesigned, it was revolutionized, gaining space while losing weight, and for the first time since the Clinton administration, becoming truly fun to drive, even in base form.
Enter the 2016 Honda Civic coupe, which dazzled the crowds in concept form last April at the New York Auto show before making its production debut six months later in Los Angeles, looking virtually identical. After successfully bring the sedan model to market (and securing the North American Car of the Year award for 2016 along the way) Honda finally gave us a chance to drive this second body style in the hills around San Diego to see if Honda’s promise that the new coupe would be even more fun to drive than the sedan would come true.
Like the sedan, the coupe is a global car that was designed and developed in North America, and it looks simply smashing. The front end is mostly the shared with the sedan, but in back, the overhang has been shaved by more than five inches. The upper body tapers inward as it slopes down, making the rear fenders appear totally “swole,” as the kids might say. The rear is totally unique, with C-shaped tail lamps conjoined by a light bar spanning the entire decklid. The overall look is punchy and scrappy and utterly perfect for coupe customers.
All other Civic virtues—pardon the pun—remain fully intact, especially inside. The Civic’s wide dashboard is Honda design at its best, modern and fresh yet utterly uncontrived. Outward sight lines are fantastic, and ergonomics are generally excellent, save for the Display audio system that uses a featureless touch screen for everything, including volume adjustment. We love the high center console in front, which creates a sense of intimacy such that no Civic has offered before while making room for multiple storage cubbies, including armrest storage large enough to hold multiple iPads.
