2014 Honda Civic Preview: 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show

One of the best-selling cars in the country, the Honda Civic matters because hundreds of thousands of people buy them every single year, without fail. Traditionally, Honda would launch the Civic and leave it alone for a few years before making mid-life updates. As of late, in the face of stiff competition, Honda has relentlessly upgraded the Civic since it was last redesigned for 2012. This year is no different.

What’s New for the 2014 Honda Civic:

• New continuously variable transmission (CVT)
• Redesigned wheel choices
• Improved fuel economy
• Upgraded interior materials
• Standard expanded view driver’s side mirror
• Available 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Available Smart Entry passive entry with push-button starting
• Available Honda LaneWatch technology
• Optional Leather and Navigation Package for Natural Gas model
• Coupes are restyled forward of windshield
• Coupes get revised steering calibration
• Coupes and Si models add horsepower and torque
• Coupes and Si models have revised suspension tuning
• Si models equipped with larger 18-inch wheels and tires

2014 Honda Civic: Styling and Design

Last year, Honda restyled the Civic Sedan. Now the Civic Coupe gets cosmetic surgery, and everything forward of the windshield is new for 2014. Additionally, this model has a redesigned rear bumper and freshened taillights, combined with new wheel designs, giving the 2014 Civic Coupe a look all its own. Select the Civic Si Coupe, and a larger rear spoiler and a set of bigger 18-inch aluminum wheels accompany more aggressive styling.

Those upgraded wheels are also installed on the Civic Si Sedan, and the Civic EX-L models also have larger wheel designs for 2014. Both the Civic Coupe and Civic Sedan include a new expanded-view driver’s side mirror that helps to show what’s in the car’s left-side blind spot. Inside, the Civic gets new seat fabrics and upgraded interior trim for 2014.

Additionally, any 2014 Civic can be painted in Modern Steel Metallic. The Civic Si models are exclusively offered in Orange Fire Pearl.

New 2014 Honda Civic: What’s Under the Hood

One of the major changes for the 2014 Honda Civic pertains to its transmission. The former 5-speed automatic is broomed in favor of a new continuously variable transmission (CVT) that improves the city fuel economy rating in the LX, EX, and EX-L models by 2 mpg, to an even 30 mpg. The combined fuel economy rating also rises, from 32 mpg to 33 mpg. In Civic Coupe models, the CVT includes paddle shifters for greater control of the transmission’s operating ratios.

Additionally, thanks to new exhaust systems, the Civic Coupe and Si models make extra horsepower and torque for 2014. In the LX, EX, and EX-L Coupe models, the 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine’s horsepower rises from 140 to 143, and torque inches up from 128 lb.-ft. to 129 lb.-ft. The performance-tuned Civic Si models have a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder now rated to make 205 horsepower and 174 lb.-ft. of torque, each figure posting an increase of four.

Otherwise, the Civic lineup continues to offer a range of gasoline, hybrid, and natural gas powertrains.

New 2014 Honda Civic: Features and Technology

This year, all versions of the Civic except for the base LX model are equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen radio display that provides the ability to swipe, tap, and pinch the screen just as you might your smartphone or tablet computer. Additionally, all models except the LX and Natural Gas are equipped with Smart Key passive entry with push-button starting, and Honda’s LaneWatch technology is also standard on all versions of the Civic except the LX model.

New 2014 Honda Civic: What Autobytel Thinks

Thanks to a continuous improvement program, the 2014 Honda Civic is setting a bar its competitors struggle to hurdle. Loyalists accustomed to grabbing a redesigned Honda in its first year out might be upset by how much better the 2014 Civic is when compared to the 2012 Civic, but everyone else can rest easy knowing that the 2014 Honda Civic is the best one yet.