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Driven: 2017 Honda Civic Coupe 1.5T

Really, we thought the vibe of the original “Fast and the Furious” film had played itself out, with most of those inspired by that original flick moving on to some Vivacious European rather than a Pacific Rim-based corner-carver. That was until Honda introduced their 2016 Honda Civic 1.5T two-door Coupe. In Energy Green, no less.
2017 Honda Civic Coupe 28 photos
Photo: Mark Elias
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With a hue that is more Ultra Lime, than forest green, the Civic 1.5T coupe can burn retinas after prolonged exposure. This stalwart of the Civic lineup has garnered many unique looks, not to mention some rather untoward comments from an ever-changing array of spectators. The comments have been brutal. Color aside, we bet if the commentators were actually able to experience the car, there would be an extreme difference of opinion.

Tell It Like It Is

For the first time ever in a Honda Civic, a turbocharged 1.5-liter four cylinder engine holds sway under the hood. Direct-injected, it features variable cam timing (VTC) and produces 174 horsepower at 6000 RPM, and 162 lb-ft of torque from 1,700 to 5,500 rpm. Lower trim levels including the base LX and LX-P Civic Coupe models will be powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder engine that makes 158-horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque.

While the 2.0-liter four-banger gives the buyer a choice of a six-speed manual transmission or a Honda G-Design continuously variable transmission (CVT), other models including the EX-T, EX-L and our Touring-spec tester are all equipped with a CVT that helps the 1.5-liter engine achieve an EPA rating of 31 city / 41 highway rating with 35 mpg combined.

2017 Honda Civic Coupe 1\.5T Touring
Photo: Mark Elias
Three different drive modes are available from the CVT transmissions including D for standard driving, S for Sport and L for when there is a need for engine braking, such as in the case of driving through mountainous regions.

The new Civic Coupe now utilizes 63-percent high-strength steel, and 12-percent ultra-high-strength steel that results in the most rigid Civic ever constructed. Its fiddly bits include a world-wide MacPherson strut system in the front and a multilink kit at the rear, with stabilizer bars at both ends. A variable-ratio electrically-assisted power rack and pinion steering system keeps all 2,888-pounds of this vehicle pointed in the right direction. The more rigid chassis and improved suspension now result in a firmer ride with improved handling, safety and better drive dynamics than ever before in a Civic.

Competitors in this realm included the Kia Forte, Ford Focus, and Mazda3 among others.

Sightlines

2017 Honda Civic Coupe 1\.5T Touring
Photo: Mark Elias
The lines on the 2016 Civic Coupe are new and improved over the outgoing model, but still reek of a Buck Rogers / Flash Gordon Sci-Fi sort of romp. It’s crispy up and down its flanks, for sure, but at the end of the day, the design is still a bit busy. From the sharply raked nose to the “knees” (front and rear fenders), to the crisply angular taillights at the rear, there is a ton of activity going on. Still, it is an improvement over the outgoing model Or maybe it was the Energy Green hue that overwhelmed just about everything else on the car.

As most of the air reaches the radiator and intercooler via a front underbumper intake, it frees up the central grill to be the final resting place of the large chrome Honda Logo-encompassing wing that starts from the tip of one headlamp housing and stretches all the way to the other.

The roofline flows fastback-like all the way to the cute upturned lip of the rear deck spoiler. The rear fascia is finished off with angular taillamps that are different from most other offerings seen today. They lend a distinctive air while going away.

Interior

2017 Honda Civic Coupe 1\.5T Touring
Photo: Mark Elias
The Civic Coupe’s interior is a typical example of Honda’s superior fit and finish. It also displays Honda’s ability to listen to their customers: For 2016, following customer comments, the firm has dispensed with the rather unfortunate two-tier dashboard display whose viewing tended to distract more than it informed. Two-toned leather upholstery covered the four seats, offering adequate support for most occupants. Our Touring model included features like automatic headlamps, automatic climate control and a tilt and telescoping steering wheel.

The rear seats offered surprising room for passengers in the second row, except those who play middle linebacker for an NFL team. Fold the 60:40 split chairs forward to expand the cargo hold of the trunk from 12.1 cubic feet to more. The Civic Coupe was complete with a seven-inch touchscreen display, which offered control of the HondaLink smartphone interface, and featured Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

The audio/navigation/mobile phone connection was easy enough to operate while stationary. While underway, it was another story. Driving with our eyes on the road ahead of us, we instinctively reached for the volume knob on the Civic’s centerstack. Instead of turning up the volume of some AC/DC from the Touring’s 10-speaker audio system, we were greeted with an 85-degree blast of warm air from the HVAC registers at the top of the stack. It would end up being the one disappointment in the entire interior.

Safety

2017 Honda Civic Coupe 1\.5T Touring
Photo: Mark Elias
The 2016 Civic now includes Honda’s LaneWatch system, first seen in the Accord, which features a rearview camera mounted on the right side rearview mirror. A flick of the right turn indicator causes an image to display briefly on the navigation display screen, with yellow (caution) and red (don’t go) overlays that give the driver an idea of how much room he has to play with while executing a right-hand lane change.

A standard feature of the Touring Coupe is the Honda Sensing Safety Package. It is complete with lane departure warning and a sometimes intrusive lane-departure intervention system that tries to steer you back into your lane once you have crossed over the line. We quickly turned it off. The Forward Collision Alert system, seemed a bit too “on the job,” alerting us to a potential shunt, when no actual threat existed. Adaptive Cruise Control probably used the same sensors and tended to be overly cautious in maintaining speed and sometimes preferred some encouragement in getting back up to speed following a braking situation.

Behind the wheel

2017 Honda Civic Coupe 1\.5T Touring
Photo: Mark Elias
The phrase Big things in small packages was never truer than in this 2016 Honda Civic Touring Coupe. The 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine impressed us with its accelerative properties that placed it at the top of the segment in performance. The CVT transmission held its own and even managed to impart a sporting feel despite its obvious lack of gear changes.

We do wish there was the ability to row it through the gears on our own, despite the CVT technology.

Handling has also improved immensely, thanks to the Coupe’s retuned multilink rear-end. A flat-cornerer, it performed quick lane changes and corner cutting without protest or much lean, either for an undisturbed driving experience. Increased attention to cabin quietness has enhanced what was already a good driving experience into a great one.

Conclusion

Listening to what the customer wants pays off in big ways for Honda with the 2016 Civic 1.5T Touring Coupe. A stout performer, it manages to offer performance and economy in one fell swoop. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Oh, did we mention it’s green?
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