2016 Honda Civic Coupe: When Head And Heart Agree

Every Canadian has a Civic story. If you haven’t ever owned one of the previous 10 generations of this compact yourself, you very likely have a relative or friend who did. Perhaps you did your driving test or got your first ticket in one of these little Hondas?

While the Civic sedan has always been the rational choice, people tend to opt for the coupe for different reasons. With its sportier, more dynamic appearance, it’s generally the version favoured by young buyers.

• Also: Spotlight on the 2016 Honda Civic Coupe
• Also: 2017 Honda Civic: The Return of the Civic Hatchback

This puts the brand in a very tough spot when the time comes to modernize the Civic Coupe. On one hand, Honda must breathe a unique personality into this model, but on the other hand, they can’t compromise the virtues that make the compact so desirable to begin with.

Solid base

That’s exactly why the 2016 Honda Civic Coupe is not fundamentally different from the sedan unveiled earlier this year. Built on the same platform, it uses the same suspension elements–with a few small adjustments in the damper settings and roll bars–and the same engines.

In the basic LX trim, there’s a 2.0-litre four-cylinder under the hood that sends 158 horsepower to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox or a CVT automatic.

In the two other variants (EX-T and Touring), Honda offers a turbocharged engine, its first for the brand in North America. With a 1.5-litre displacement, it generates 174 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft. of torque. There’s no manual transmission for this engine, only the CVT. Beginning next year, however, the brand will offer a manual with the turbo engine. In the meantime, exclusively for the Canadian market, the turbocharged Civic Coupe is settling for wheel-mounted paddles that let you “select a gear” (in actual fact, it’s the computer that simulates a ratio).

Solid design

The coupe boasts a distinctive style that sets it apart from the sedan. To create this look, five design studios collaborated under the guidance of Guy Melville-Brown and his team in California. With a narrower cabin than the four-door version, this Civic has a wider look overall.

Its hiked-up tail end distinguishes it from the other cars on the road, as do the LED taillights that cover the width of the trunk (this light also integrates a rear spoiler). The A-pillar is thinner and its more acute angle helps sharpen the vehicle’s profile. Finally, 17-inch tires (16 inches on the base trim) complete its dynamic style.

Honda had been accused of not taking enough risks when it redesigned the ninth-generation Civic. But I can assure you that no one will say that about the 2016 version. From every angle, the Civic Coupe is unique and on more than one occasion, I found myself discovering a new line or styling feature that I hadn’t noticed before.

The promise of a nice ride

After the sedan, the Civic Coupe is the least sporty of the lot. Later on, we’ll see a hatchback, an Si version and a top-of-the-line Type R. Thus, it’s understandable why you might think that Honda is only making some slight adjustments to the coupe, counting on its innovative style to rack up sales.

It’s true in part, but you shouldn’t forget one important detail: the tenth-generation Civic isn’t as gloomy and dressed up as the one it’s replacing. Honda made a lot of effort to bring back the pleasure of driving its compact, and it’s noticeable. The Civic is fun to drive.

Its steering wheel provides enough information on what the front wheels are up to, thanks to well calibrated electric assistance. The adjustments made to the coupe don’t change the driving experience extraordinarily, and it’s better that way. The suspension is firm enough to eliminate roll without torturing the occupants should they have the misfortune of hitting a hole in the road.

The manual gearbox and 2.0-litre engine are well harmonized, and the very progressive clutch is a blessing in urban driving conditions. Even the CVT gets good comments: it doesn’t have that oh-so-familiar slipping effect you often get with this type of gearbox, and it helps keep the turbo engine revving in the middle of its power band. A Sport mode will keep the engine at a higher speed for more responsiveness.

The only negative point that I noted during the test drive of the 2016 Honda Civic Coupe concerns the soundproofing of the passenger compartment. Unlike the sedan, you distinctly hear the noise of the tires at highway speed. The tires aren’t to blame, it’s the coupe’s shape. On a positive note, I was pleasantly surprised by the back seats: there’s room for two adults, Honda having added leg and head room.

The emotional choice that even your brain will like

Available in several colours (including a very nice red and an absolutely sublime Energy Green Pearl), the 2016 Honda Civic Coupe starts at $19,455. A fully-equipped version like the Touring shown in the photos above with turbo engine, LED headlamps, Garmin navigation system, leather seats and 450 watts of audio will cost you $27,555.

Honda is expecting that the coupe will account for 10% of total Civic sales. If you want to drive one of the best compacts on the market while setting yourself apart from the masses, you have everything to gain by choosing the 2016 Civic Coupe.