Canada's best-selling passenger car gets significant styling, powertrain and feature upgrades to further extend its competitive lead
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honda Civic, Canada's best-selling passenger car for 15 consecutive years, extends its competitive lead and value for customers with a long list of enhancements for the 2014 model year. Building on the model year 2012 redesign and model year 2013 major refresh, the 2014 Civic features exciting and innovative upgrades including:
"The 2014 Honda Civic is our best offering yet, and makes Civic not just the best-selling, but once again the outright best pick in the compact class," said Dave Gardner, vice president of sales and marketing, Honda Canada Inc. "Year over year, we have continued to strengthen the competitive position of Civic with new performance, features and value for the money, and 2014 is no exception."
The 2014 Honda Civic Sedan and Coupe launch at Honda dealerships nationwide in mid-December, followed by the Civic Hybrid early in March and the Civic Si Coupe and Si Sedan in the spring.
Civic Coupe styling and performance
Following a major refresh of Civic Sedan styling for 2013, Honda turns its attention to the Civic Coupe, implementing a host of exterior design changes that include a more aggressive grille, fender, hood and headlight design. Additional Civic Coupe exterior changes include new taillight lenses, sportier front and rear bumpers, new side mirrors and new wheel designs, with larger size wheels on some models. Inside, a host of premium interior refinements were applied to all models, including new seat fabrics, door panel trim and audio panel colour coordination.
The Civic Coupe also receives additional performance enhancements, including revised suspension tuning with higher spring rates and a stiffer rear stabilizer bar. A revised exhaust system raises power output by 3 horsepower to 143 hp2 and 1 lb-ft of torque to 129 lb-ft3. For added driver engagement, the Civic EX and EX-L Navi Coupe models feature new steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
New Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
Adding to Civic fuel-efficiency and fun-to-drive performance, an all-new Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) replaces the 5-speed automatic in both the Coupe and Sedan; the Civic Hybrid retains its current CVT. The new CVT enhances responsiveness by providing quicker and smoother acceleration and improves fuel efficiency with a 22 percent wider ratio range and reduced internal friction. The new CVT will contribute to higher expected EPA fuel economy ratings1 of 30 mpg city (+1 mpg) and 33 mpg combined (+1 mpg). (Canadian fuel economy ratings will be available in the near future.)
Civic Si styling and performance
The Civic Si Coupe benefits from the same styling enhancements as the standard Civic Coupe but adds Si-exclusive design cues, including a unique lower front bumper garnish, larger rear decklid spoiler, and distinctive front and rear air diffusers. Both the Si Coupe and Si Sedan get larger, 18-inch wheels and tires with new wheel designs.
The performance-tuned Civic Si Coupe and Sedan also get revised suspension tuning, with higher spring rates, new dampers and stiffer rear stabilizer bar. Power is boosted to 205 horsepower4 (+4 horsepower) and 174 lb-ft of torque5 (+4 lb-ft) via a retuned exhaust system.
New Premium Features
New innovations and premium features abound on the 2014 Honda Civic. Standard and available features include a new 7-inch Display Audio touchscreen control center with optional navigation function, convenient Smart Entry with Push Button start, expanded view driver's mirror and Honda LaneWatch™ blind spot display for enhanced driver visibility.
The 2014 Honda Civic Coupe is available in LX, EX, EX-L Navi and Si versions, while the Sedan is available in DX, LX, EX, Touring and Si versions. The Civic Hybrid is exclusively available in a sedan body style. The 2014 Civic Sedan and Coupe, including Si models, are offered in a new Modern Steel Metallic exterior colour.
| CIVIC COUPE TRIM |
EPA Fuel Economy Ratings2 (city/hwy/comb) |
CIVIC SEDAN TRIM |
EPA Fuel Economy Ratings2 (city/hwy/comb) |
| Civic Coupe LX 5MT | 28/36/31 | Civic Sedan LX 5MT | 28/36/31 |
| Civic Coupe LX CVT | 30/39/33 | Civic Sedan LX CVT | 30/39/33 |
| Civic Coupe EX 5MT | 28/36/31 | Civic Sedan EX 5MT | 28/36/31 |
| Civic Coupe EX CVT | 29/38/33 | Civic Sedan EX CVT | 30/39/33 |
| Civic Coupe EX-L CVT | 29/38/33 | Civic Sedan EX-L CVT | 30/39/33 |
| Civic Coupe EX-L Navi CVT | 29/38/33 | Civic Sedan EX-L Navi CVT | 30/39/33 |
Model Trim Level Features Upgrade Summary
The following tables list the upgrades made to each of the 2014 Honda Civic models and trim levels from the 2013 models.
| 2014 Honda Civic Coupe | |
| Civic Coupe LX | - New larger 16-inch steel wheels with new covers |
| - Exterior styling changes | |
| - Interior styling changes | |
| - Available New Continuously Variable Transmission | |
| - Expanded View Driver's Mirror | |
| Civic Coupe EX | Changed or added from LX: |
| - New Continuously Variable Transmission w/ paddle shifters | |
| - 7-inch Display Audio | |
| - Smart Entry with Push Button start | |
| - Honda LaneWatch™ | |
| Civic Coupe EX-L Navi | Changed or added from EX: |
| - 7-inch Display Audio with Honda Satellite-linked Navigation | |
| 2014 Honda Civic Si Coupe | |
| Civic Si Coupe | - New larger 18-inch alloy wheels |
| - Exterior styling changes | |
| - Interior styling changes | |
| - Smart Entry with Push Button start | |
| - Expanded View Driver's Mirror | |
| - Honda LaneWatch™ - 7-inch Display Audio with Honda Satellite-linked Navigation |
|
| 2014 Honda Civic Sedan | |
| Civic Sedan DX | Added Expanded View Driver's Mirror |
| Civic Sedan LX | Changed or added from DX: - Interior styling changes |
| - Available New Continuously Variable Transmission | |
| Civic Sedan EX | Changed or added from LX: |
| - 7-inch Display Audio | |
| - Smart Entry with Push Button start | |
| - Honda LaneWatch™ | |
| Civic Sedan Touring | Changed or added from EX: |
| - 7-inch Display Audio with Honda Satellite-linked Navigation | |
| 2014 Honda Civic Si Sedan | |
| Civic Si Sedan | - New larger 18-inch alloy wheels |
| - Interior styling changes | |
| - Smart Entry with Push Button start | |
| - Expanded View Driver's Mirror | |
| - Honda LaneWatch™ - 7-inch Display Audio with Honda Satellite-linked Navigation |
|
| 2014 Honda Civic Hybrid | |
| Civic Hybrid | - Interior styling changes |
| - Smart Entry with Push Button start | |
| - Expanded View Driver's Mirror | |
| - Honda LaneWatch™ - 7-inch Display Audio with Honda Satellite-linked Navigation |
|
Powertrains
For 2014, Civic Sedan and Coupe models receive an all-new Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) to replace the 5-speed automatic transmission. Paddle shifters are available on the Civic Coupe CVT. A manual transmission is still available on the LX and EX trims in Sedan and Coupe. The Civic DX, LX, EX, EX-L Navi (Coupe), Touring (Sedan) and Si models get a power and torque boost.
The Civic's responsive i-VTEC® 1.8-litre 16-valve four-cylinder engine, producing 143 horsepower2 and 129 lb-ft of torque3, is now available with a new performance- and fuel- efficiency enhancing CVT (replacing the 5-speed automatic transmission). Providing a wider gear ratio range than the previous five-gear automatic, the CVT delivers quicker and smoother acceleration as well as improved fuel efficiency. The new, 12-percent lighter CVT transmission has increased efficiency through reduced internal friction and a 22-percent wider ratio range. On the Civic Coupe EX and EX-L Navi models, the CVT transmission can be controlled with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters to provide a more engaging driver experience. D mode is fully automatic, however the paddle shifters can be used to downshift the transmission for greater engine braking for situations such as descending a steep hill. The transmission can also be upshifted in D mode. When the paddle shifters are used in D mode, full automatic operation will resume after a short time. For spirited driving, S mode includes seven ratios and maintains the selected ratio until the driver operates the paddle shifters again. The system will only shift automatically to prevent over revving the engine or lugging.
To increase the excitement level of the Civic Si models' exhilarating driving experience, refinements to the exhaust system increase engine performance to 205 peak horsepower4 and 174 lb-ft of torque5. This is an increase of 4 horsepower and 4 lb-ft of torque over the previous model. The Civic Si is powered by an i-VTEC® 2.4-litre DOHC 16-valve engine mated to a close-ratio, 6-speed manual transmission. The Si also includes as standard equipment a helical limited-slip differential. The performance differential helps minimizes front wheel slippage for enhanced steering precision when accelerating and cornering.
The 2014 Civic Hybrid features a 1.5-litre, 8-valve, 2-stage i-VTEC® four-cylinder gasoline engine equipped with Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA®) system coupled with a Lithium-Ion battery pack, producing 110 horsepower6 and 127 lb-ft of torque7. The 2-stage i-VTEC system cuts off all four cylinders, allowing the electric motor to propel the car at low speeds or while cruising on a level surface. The cylinders also cut off during deceleration for friction reduction. All Civic models except the Coupe Si and Sedan Si feature Honda's ECO Assist™ technology, which can help drivers operate the vehicle more efficiently.
Body
The Civic Coupe's youthful and sporty nature is amplified with fresh and aggressive styling changes for 2014. The dynamic capabilities of the coupe are portrayed by a bold new grill, headlights and taillights, and sculptured hood, front fenders, side mirrors and rear bumper. The high-performing Civic Si Coupe is further enhanced with exclusive and uniquely styled grill and front and rear fascia. The coupe's sporty styling cues continue with premium, athletic looking redesigned wheels. The Civic LX Coupe gets larger 16-inch steel wheels with new wheel covers, and the Civic Si Coupe receives larger 18-inch alloy wheels with a new design. The Civic Sedan also receives larger 18-inch alloy wheels.
Chassis
For 2014 the Honda Civic LX Coupe and Si models receive upgraded suspension tuning to enhance steering response and roll feel. In 2013 the Civic lineup benefitted from substantial changes to enhance handling refinement and noise isolation. These included a reworked Electronic Power Steering (EPS), suspension spring changes and thicker stabilizer bars with new Teflon-lined mounting bushings. Other upgrades include larger diameter front brake rotors on some models for better stopping power, and a host of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) countermeasures to reduce road, engine and wind noise.
Interior
Several refinements to the 2014 Civic interior further enhance its youthful and sporty, yet advanced and premium appearance. The Civic LX and EX models receive upgraded seating and door panel fabric with an enhanced premium texture. The Civic Si seats are changed to further enhance the sporty look with exclusive seat fabric and decoration. The interior of sedan models come in black, and gray, coupe models have black or black and gray colour schemes, and the Si comes in a dynamic black and red. The audio panels of the Civic Coupe and Sedan have been upgraded with premium finishes: the LX trim gets a new painted panel, while the EX and EX-L Navi/Touring receive an advanced brushed metallic treatment. The Civic Si gets a high tech and sporty carbon fiber-styled design.
New Display Audio Interface
For 2014, all Civic model trim levels except DX and LX include the all-new 7-inch Display Audio touchscreen. The intuitive and easy-to-use Display Audio lets you swipe, tap and pinch - just like on a tablet computer or smartphone - to control the vehicle's audio system, display settings and other advanced features. The EX-L Navi Coupe, Touring Sedan, Si and Civic Hybrid models include the Display Audio with a fully integrated and fully featured Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™.
Safety
At Honda, safety is always a top priority and the 2014 Civic is a prime example of that focus. Civic safety begins with the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure that was redesigned in 2013 to provide increased protection to vehicle occupants in a frontal collision, including front end structures to help disperse crash energy in narrow overlap frontal crashes. The 2014 Civic's safety technologies also include standard dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags, an anti-lock braking system (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®)8 with traction control, Daytime Running Lights (DRL), and a pedestrian injury mitigation design in the front of the vehicle.
The 2014 Honda Civic Sedan and Coupe are expected to earn the top rating of GOOD in the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) stringent small overlap front crash test, and receive a TOP SAFETY PICK rating from the IIHS. The 2014 Civic Sedan and Civic Hybrid received the top 5 Star Overall Vehicle Score in the U.S. NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the Civic Coupe received a 4 Star rating.
Awards
In addition to receiving numerous awards for the completely redesigned 2012 Honda Civic, the refreshed 2013 model was also awarded and recognized with accolades. It was named "Best Buy Compact Car" by Consumer Guide and "Top Family Car of 2013" by Edmunds.com and Parents Magazine. In addition, KBB awarded the Civic "Best Resale Value: Top 10" status and the Civic Si "Best Retail Value: Sporty Compact Car." Civic was also recognized with a "Polk Automotive Loyalty" award in the compact car segment, Edmunds.com named the Civic "Best Retained Value" and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy included the Civic Hybrid amongst the "Greenest Vehicles of 2013."
For More Information
Consumer information is available at www.honda.ca. To join the Honda community on Facebook, visit facebook.com/HondaCanada. Additional media information including detailed features and high-resolution photography of the 2014 Honda Civic is available at www.hondanews.ca
1 Based on Honda internal testing. 2014 EPA mileage ratings were not available at the time of publication. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.
2143 horsepower @ 6500 rpm (SAE net)
3129 lb-ft of torque @ 4300 rpm (SAE net)
4205 hp @ 7000 rpm (SAE net)
5174 lb-ft of torque @ 4400 rpm (SAE net)
6110 horsepower @ 5500 rpm
7127 lb-ft of torque @ 1000-35000 rpm
8 VSA is not a substitute for safe driving. It cannot correct the vehicle's course in every situation or compensate for reckless driving. Control of the vehicle always remains with the driver.
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Image with caption: "The Honda Civic, Canada's best-selling passenger car for 15 consecutive years, extends its competitive lead and value for customers with a long list of enhancements for the 2014 model year. (CNW Group/Honda Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131120_C9426_PHOTO_EN_33676.jpg
SOURCE: Honda Canada Inc.
Maki Inoue (905) 888-4416
Laura Heasman (905) 888-4586
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