Unsatisfied With the Design, Independent Artist Gives the Honda Civic a New-Gen Makeover

It looks more modern and, dare we say, better than its predecessor, features improved mechanicals and oily bits, new technology, and safety gear, and comes in two versions: sedan and hatchback. Both are marketed in the United States, with the latter being $1,000 more affordable than the former by starting at $23,940, excluding destination.

Those who prefer sportier cars can order the Civic Si Sedan, too, which features a 200-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, a six-speed manual transmission, a limited-slip differential, and front-wheel drive. In fact, it is the same car beneath the skin as the new Acura Integra, which has an MSRP of $31,500 in our market.

Topping the latest-gen Honda Civic family in terms of pricing and performance is the Type R. The hot hatch comes from $44,795, gets sportier styling inside and out, adaptive dampers, Brembo brakes, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires wrapped around the 19-inch alloys, center-mounted triple exhaust tips, and additional gear. Powering it is a 2.0L four-pot with 315 hp and 310 lb-ft (420 Nm) of torque.

Some say we haven't had a pretty Honda Civic since the 1990s, when the fifth and sixth generations came out. The Japanese automaker cannot return to that styling, as the modern-day compact model needs to be both more aerodynamic and safer. One thing we can look forward to is probably a bit more futuristic design when it comes to its successor, which should come out towards the end of the decade.

Chances are the next Honda Civic will be an all-electric vehicle if it survives the EV revolution, that is, and we don't see why it wouldn't. After all, the moniker stretches all the way back to the early '70s. No one can say for sure what it will look like, as its design should be finalized in a few years. However, that doesn't mean that you cannot try to imagine it. And this is precisely what Q Cars did, with a short video released on YouTube that puts the spotlight on the next generation.

Compared to the current one, it features a more sloping roofline, smaller side windows, flush-mounted door handles, tiny side mirrors, a pointier nose, slender LED headlights, larger side vents in the front bumper replicated at the rear, new taillights with a large Honda logo in the middle, and a small rear windscreen. The lack of visible tailpipes could indicate the presence of an all-quiet powertrain. It certainly looks better than the real thing, but is this something you’d consider buying?