It’s no secret that the Honda Civic has had a bit of a rough patch, with the past few generations not being received as well as expected in the public eye, with the ninth-gen being so bad, that the entire generational cycle lasted no more than four years. All of that changed when Honda showed up to the 2015 New York Auto Show with the 2015 Civic Coupe Concept – a model that previewed the upcoming tenth-gen coupe. By the time the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show kicked off, Honda was ready to show the world the production version of the tenth-gen coupe and boy did it impress. To put it simply, Honda came correct with a new aggressive exterior design, a refined and beautiful looking interior, and two new engines that are borrowed from the Civic Sedan. More important, however, is the fact that the new Civic Coupe gets that 1.5-liter, turbocharged, four-banger, making this generation the first to come with forced induction straight from the factory.

The generation evolution of the Civic Coupe couldn’t come at a better time for Honda. The competition in the compact coupe segment is spread somewhat thin, but the offerings available are stronger than ever. By the time 2017 models hit showrooms, Toyota will have an all-new Toyota 86 and Subaru the BRZ (originally the FR-S prior to the discontinuation of Scion,) and Kia will have the updated Forte Koup. If you set price and horsepower aside and focus purely on aesthetics and functionality, the new Civic could even compete with more luxurious models like the BMW 2 Series or the Mercedes C-Class Coupe in their entry-level forms.

Okay, so comparing a Civic against a Bimmer of Merc might be a little bit of a reach, but we’ll talk more about that later on. For now, let’s dive in and take a look at the new Civic and everything that it brings to the table.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2016 Honda Civic Coupe.

2016 Honda Civic Coupe

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2016 Honda Civic Coupe
  • Segment: Array
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 174 @ 6000
  • Torque: 163 @ 1700
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The 2016 Honda Civic Coupe retains many of the awesome features we saw on the concept version. The funky grille, multi-layered rear end, and sloping roofline are all present. That grille, however, is unchanged from the Civic sedan. In fact, Honda says everything from the A-pillars forward is unchanged from the sedan. That doesn’t matter, though, as the front’s design perfect fits with the theme of the Civic Coupe.


Honda has reworked the Coupe in all the right ways. The car’s wheelbase is 2.9 inches longer, the body is 1.9 inches wider, and the front overhang is 1.4 inches shorter. The wheels have been moved to the corners, giving the car a wide footprint, which should lead to greater stability. The sloping roof is an inch lower than the Civic Sedan’s, contributing to the car’s overall, low-slung look. And despite the longer wheelbase, the Civic Coupe is actually 5.5 inches shorter than before.

The rear end styling certainly garners attention. It features C-shaped, LED taillights that stretch across the entire rear end. The dynamic shape of the lights not only give the rear more attitude but help in reducing drag, thanks to the crisp lines. A modest spoiler tops the trunk, helping with aerodynamics and styling. The LED treatment continues up front, with LED daytime running lights. LED headlights are optional as well. The headlights, regardless of lighting source, are now automatic, meaning no more worrying about turning your lights on and off. Optional rain-sensing wipers finish off the deal.

Compared to the competition, The new Civic Coupe features styling that is similar to other two-doors in this segment. The sloping roofline is similar to that of the Toyota 86 and BRZ Twins while front and rear profile of the Civic are sportier and more aggressive than any of the competition, including the Kia Forte Koup. So, if you’re hunting this segment for something that looks sporty and dominating, the Civic is the best way to go. If you prefer to go with a milder, neutral look, then the Kia Forte Koup might be exactly what you’re looking for. But, there’s more to picking a car than looks alone, so let’s take a look at the inside of the new Civic and see how it stacks up.

Interior

The interior has certainly undergone a massive transformation. Gone is the two-tiered dashboard with multiple screens placed haphazardly around the driver. The 2016 Civic Coupe borrows its dash from its four-door brother, and in doing so, becomes far more grown up without losing its fun factor. Clean lines, well-placed screens and gauges, and stylish cues bring the interior into modern days.

The Civic Coupe still uses digital gauges, but in a better way. EX and higher trims use a center-mounted TFT screen that digitally shows engine and ground speed via an analog-style tachometer and a fully digital speedometer. The familiar blue hue emanates from the cluster, matching the blue color coming from the center-mounted, seven-inch infotainment screen that fully supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, runs the Pandora app, and has SiriusXM and HD Radio. Upper trim levels now come with navigation. In comparison, the BRZ/86 twins and the Kia Forte all offer comparable technology and features.

Other notable features include an electronic parking brake with an electronic Brake Hold function that assists in hill starts. EX and higher trims have leather door panel inserts with real stitching; the cabin is lit by an overhead LED lamp, and the shifter sports a leather boot.

Of course, that’s only the beginning of the story. The interior has grown, offering an additional 8.4 cubic feet of passenger room, while the longer wheelbase helps add more than five inches of rear seat legroom. Total passenger room for the civic is now 91.0 cubic feet, just 1.3 cubic-feet shy of the passenger room found in the Forte Koup and a shocking 14.5 cubic-feet more than the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ. For the most part, all interior dimensions of the Civic run very close to that of the Forte, while they beat out the 86 and BRZ in every category except second-row headroom where the twins offer 0.4 inches more.

Competitive Dimensions

Note: all figures are in inches unless otherwise stated

Honda Civic

Kia Forte Koup

Toyota 86 / Subaru BRZ

Passenger Volume cu-ft

91.0

92.3

76.5

Cargo Room cu-ft

12.1

13.3

6.9

Front Head Room

38.2

38.2

37.1

Front Shoulder Room

56.9

55.9

54.5

Front Hip Room

54.1

53.8

53.1

Front Leg Room

42.3

42.2

41.9

Rear Head Room

34.6

36.4

35.0

Rear Shoulder Room

52.6

53.0

51.7

Rear Hip Room

48.1

53.5

45.3

Rear Leg Room

35.9

35.9

29.9


Drivetrain

Matching the new bodywork and interior are two all-new engines for the Civic Coupe. Both are borrowed from the Civic Sedan and kick out the same horsepower and torque specs. Base Civics receive a 2.0-liter DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder that makes 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. That’s a marked improvement of 15 horses and nine pound-feet over the outgoing 1.8-liter. The engine can be had with either a CVT or six-speed manual transmission. Like the previous generations, the manual is relegated to the lowest LX trim.

The biggest news, however, is Honda’s premium Civic engine. The new mill is a 1.5-liter, DOHC, four-cylinder that utilizes direct fuel injection and is turbocharged. Yep, now Honda fanboys can now buy a Civic with a factory-installed turbo. The 1.5-liter turbo does not come with Honda’ VTEC valvetrain system, but still kicks out an impressive 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque thanks to the single-scroll turbo’s 16.5 psi of boost. That’s an improvement of 31 horsepower and 33 pound-feet over last year’s 1.8-liter. Sadly, the 1.5-liter isn’t offered with the manual transmission. However, initial reports of the updated CVT transmission say it is vastly improved over the 2015 version and offers better “shifts” when in sport mode.

Fuel economy for both engines is typical of any small Honda. The 2.0-liter is estimated to deliver 31 mpg in the city, 41 mpg on the highway, and 35 mpg combined, when mated with the CVT. Opt for the turbocharged 1.5-liter, and the numbers somehow improve by one mpg on the highway loop, meaning the turbo Civic Coupe gets 31/42/35 mpg.

Competing Performance

Performance-wise, the Civic actually gets the short end of the stick compared to the competition. In entry-level form, the Forte Koup beats it by 15 ponies and 16 pound-feet while the twins beat it out by 42 ponies and 13 pound-feet. Upper trim levels of the Civic suffer the same fate with the range-topping Forte offering 27 horsepower and 33 pound-feet more and the twins offering 31 horsepower more. The range-topping Civic does beat out the twins in the torque department by 4 pound-feet.

Honda Civic

Kia Forte Koup

Toyota 86 / Subaru BRZ

Honda Civic

Kia Forte Koup

Toyota 86 / Subaru BRZ

FWD

FWD

RWD

Driveline

158hp

173hp

200hp

Entry Horsepower

138

154

151

Entry Torque (lb-ft)

174

201

205

Maximum Horsepower

162

195

158

Maximum Torque (lb-ft)

6.8 seconds

8.7 seconds

6.4 Seconds


Note: the 86/BRZ twins only come with 205 horsepower and 158 pound-feet when equipped with a manual transmission.

Competing Fuel Economy

If your primary concern in purchasing your next compact coupe is fuel economy, then look no further than the Honda Civic. Honda has always been a go-to for fuel economy, and in this case, it’s clearly evident why. To put things simply, the Civic beats out the competition in fuel economy hands down pulling up to 10 mpg more in the city, 13 mpg more on the highway, and 10 mpg more combined over the competition – now that’s something to write home about. On a side note, the Civic holds nearly a gallon less, so fill-ups will be just a hair cheaper with better range. All three models run on regular, unleaded gasoline.

Model

City

Highway

Combined

Fuel Capacity

Honda Civic 1.5-liter Auto

31mpg

41mpg

35mpg

12.4 gal

Honda Civic 2.0-liter MT6

26mpg

37mpg

30mpg

12.4 gal

Honda Civic 2.0-liter Auto

30mpg

39mpg

34mpg

12.4 gal

Kia Forte 1.6-liter MT6

22mpg

29mpg

24mpg

13.2 gal

Kia Forte 1.6-liter Auto

22mpg

29mpg

25mpg

13.2 gal

Kia Forte 2.0-liter MT6

24mpg

33mpg

27mpg

13.2 gal

Kia Forte 2.0-liter Auto

25mpg

34mpg

28mpg

13.2 gal

Toyota 86 / Subaru BRZ 2.0-liter MT6

21mpg

28mpg

24mpg

13.2 gal

Toyota 86 / Subaru BRZ 2.0-liter Auto

24mpg

32mpg

27mpg

13.2 gal


Safety

Honda has loaded the Civic Coupe with nearly every available safety system in its parts bin. First off, the car is built using Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Structure, also known as ACE that helps redistribute an impact’s force around the passenger compartment, keeping occupants safe. Multiple airbags and seatbelts are standard equipment, as part of the Honda Sensing suite of technologies.

Though it hasn’t been tested at the time of this writing, Honda is aiming at the NCAP 5-Start Overall Vehicle rating and a Top Safety Pick+ rating for the IIHS.

What Others Are Saying

The tenth-gen Civic is a big deal for Honda as the Civic hasn’t exactly been the best-looking car on the block for a while now. And, we’re not the only ones who think so. Edmunds rates the 2016 Civic as a 4.5 out of 5 while Kelly Blue Book gives it a rating of 9.6 out of 10. Those aren’t bad scores at all.

Kelly Blue Book

Allyson Harwood, an Expert Reviewer for Kelly Blue Book, said, “The 2016 Honda Civic manages to successfully serve as a fun, sporty model that has some of the best steering, handling and driving dynamics in the segment.”

Edmunds

Edmunds also had something to say about the new Civic Coupe: “The 2016 Honda Civic has a sharpness on the road that's been absent in recent years. Steering response is lively, and there's notably less body roll than in the previous Civic.”

Car and Driver

Tony Swan from Car and Driver spent some time behind the wheel of the 2016 Honda Civic and appeared to have enjoyed the time spent, saying, “Pushed hard, the coupe will do exactly that—push. It’s agile, but like most front-drive cars, sporty or not, the weight bias is decidedly forward, and it’s not very difficult to provoke noisy protest from the front tires in enthusiastic cornering.”

Prices

Pricing for the 2016 Civic Coupe has taken a small jump upwards over the last generation. The base Civic LX with the six-speed manual transmission starts at $19,050. That’s an increase of $760 over last year. Opting for higher trimmed models only makes the gap grow. The 2015 Civic Coupe EL listed for $20,390, while the new 2016 version goes for $22,300. Still, the extra cost is justifiable with the improvements found on the new 10th generation Civic.

Trim

Engine

Transmission

MSRP

EPA MPG Rating (city/highway/combined)

LX

2.0-liter V-Tec

6MT

$19,050

26/38/31

LX

2.0-liter V-Tec

CVT

$19,850

30/41/34

LX

2.0-liter V-tec

CVT

$20,850

31/41/35

LX-P

1.5-liter Turbo

CVT

$22,300

31/41/35

EX

1.5-liter Turbo

CVT

$26,125

31/41/35


Competitive Pricing

As far as pricing goes, the Kia Forte Coup will set you back less than the Civic or the BRZ/86 twins with a starting price of $16,490. The Range-topping model tops out at $21,200, which is about five grand less than the Touring Civic or the twins with a manual transmission.

Pricing Range

Honda Civic

$19,050 - $26,125

Kia Forte Koup

$16,490 - $21,200

Toyota 86/ Subaru BRZ

$26,255 - $26,975


Competition

Kia Forte Koup

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The Forte Koup – Kia-speak for coupe – is one of the main competitors for the Civic Coupe. Though you cannot get the Forte Koup in the lower LX trim level, the better equipped EX trim is available for just a few hundred bucks more than the base Civic Coupe. This gives the Forte an advantage in terms of bang for the buck.

Powering the Forte Koup EX is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces a respectable 173 horsepower and 154 pound-feet of torque. This engine turns in fuel economy ratings of 24 mpg city and 33 mpg highway with the manual transmission. The SX trim uses a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque.

Read our full review on the Kia Forte Koup here.

Toyota 86

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When Toyota decided to kill off the Scion brand, the Scion FR-S was one of just three cars from the Scion lineup to be carried over into Toyota’s lineup. Through a joint venture with Subaru, a rebadged version of the 86 is also sold as the Subaru BRZ. This specific model features a sporty exterior, functional and inviting interior, and is powered by a 2.0-liter, horizontally opposed four-banger that delivers 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. Models equipped with a manual transmission come with a slight bump in power, producing 205 horsepower and 158 pound-feet of torque. Available in just two trims – AT and MT – the 86 or BRZ will set you back $26,255 with an automatic or $26,975 with a manual. While that seems like a lot in comparison to entry-level models of the Civic and Forte Koup, it’s important to remember that the 86 comes well equipped in both trims, while you’ll have to upgrade to the range-topping models of the Civic or Forte to have a similar list of features.

Read our full review of the Toyota 86 here.

Conclusion

So, does the Civic give you the best bang for your buck? Well, that really all depends on exactly what it is that you’re looking for. If your primary concern is fuel economy and sporty/aggressive styling, then the Civic is for you. Even in entry-level form, it comes correct in both of those departments, far ahead of the competition. If power is more important to you, then you might be better off going with the BRZ/86 twins or the Forte in a higher trim level. Of course, the Civic holds is own fairly well in the 60-mph sprint with 6.8 seconds. That beats out the Forte by 1.9 seconds at best but is topped by the BRZ with a manual transmission by 0.4 seconds. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something that isn’t front-wheel drive, you’ll be stuck with one of the twins, as neither the Civic or the Forte can be had with RWD.


On a side note, it should be mentioned that the new Civic does compete with models like the BMW 2 Series Coupe and the Mercedes C-Class on an aesthetic level. Both models are more powerful and way more expensive, but the Civic can hold its own as far as looks, fit and finish, and functionality go. That’s saying a lot for a car that is Typically considered an econobox. Furthermore, the Civic has traditionally been a candidate for aftermarket tuning, with a wide array of aftermarket parts normally available within the first couple years of production. With a proper gameplan, the Civic can be tuned to be more powerful and quicker on the go than its luxurious German counterparts. It will look just as good doing it, and will ultimately be cheaper in the long run while providing exceptional fuel economy. Now that’s what you call a win-win if you’re someone who enjoys turning a wrench every now and again.

Updated History


Updated 11/20/2015: We added a series of new images taken during the car's official debut at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Updated 11/18/2015: Honda unveiled the 2016 Civic Coupe at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Updated 11/11/2015: Honda officially confirmed that the new generation Civic Coupe will be making its world debut next week at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show. Sales will begin in early 2016.

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