2012 Honda Odyssey on 2040-cars

Auto blog

2016 Honda Civic Coupe spied inside and out

Honda may be prepared to unveil the 2016 Civic Coupe on Sept. 16, but that doesn't mean work is done on the eagerly anticipated new fastback. Honda is continuing testing, as evidenced by this latest round of photos, which even gives us a glimpse of the cabin. As we can see, the exterior's shape has been toned down compared to the concept shown earlier this year in New York City, although the overall fastback rear end, high beltline, and generally aggressive styling is still present. Closer details, particularly around the front fascia, are harder to discern owing to the camouflage. The last-generation Civic did things very wrong. It went budget at a time when compact consumers demanded more premium features, options, and materials. Things were so bad that Honda had to rush a lackluster refresh to market. But with the new Civic, it finally looks like the Japanese brand is on its A-game. While plastic appears to still be the dominant material, the quality on display looks like it's been elevated substantially. The steering wheel is small, relatively sporting, and wrapped in black leather, while the beige leather seats look to have a modest dose of bolstering. The switch gear looks good, almost like it's been plucked from a higher-end model, like the Pilot, while our spies report that there will be a better array of optional extras, including stuff that's shown up as part of the Honda sensing suite of technology. Check out the spy images at the top of the page, and be sure to head back here on Sept. 16 for the Civic's official unveiling. Related Video:

Honda Fit loses Recommended rating from Consumer Reports

Thanks to its poor performance in the most recent round of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash testing, where it received the lowest overall score in the small-overlap test, Consumer Reports has bumped the Honda Fit from its "Recommended" list. When a car gets bumped from the magazine's coveted ranks, it's usually cause for concern. This is not one of those times.
As there is a new Fit barreling towards dealerships for an on-sale date this spring, we wouldn't pay too much credence to the current car's demotion. It's expected that the next-generation Fit should pass the test with flying colors, as CR is quick to point out that newer Hondas have traditionally done very well in the tricky small-overlap crash testing.
Of the subcompact cars tested by the IIHS, only the Kia Rio, which netted a "Marginal" score overall, is a Consumer Reports "Recommended" vehicle.

SEMA Honda Civic show cars prove the model's continuing tuner appeal

Anyone familiar with the import tuning scene knows that the Honda Civic has been a staple for decades, and Honda's display at the 2016 SEMA show shows its potential to continue the tuning legacy. The company tapped three outside companies to create custom Civic models, and also showed its own work. First up is a bright yellow Civic Coupe from perennial SEMA show builder, TJIN Edition. In addition to giving it a name that will give editors nightmares, TJIN gave the Civic modifications to its appearance and handling with the goal of making it the "ultimate street cruiser." Up front is a front lip spoiler from Apollo Top One Auto Part, and the side skirts and rear bumper are Honda Factory Performance accessories. The car is lowered on BC Racing BR Series coilover suspension, and sits atop Rotiform OZT wheels. For stopping, the Civic uses Baer brakes. The yellow color scheme is also carried inside with Katzkin leather and suede seats. MAD Industries took a similar tack to TJIN Edition in focusing on handling and appearance. The company gave it carbon fiber ground effects from Carbon 2 Carbon, along with some special touches such as a single, center-exit exhaust out the rear bumper. The car also features Eibach Pro Kit springs and Toyo T1R tires wrapped around Rotiform QLB wheels. Inside, black leather and suede seats get blue stitching, and various parts of the dashboard received a splash of blue as well. Meguiar's Civic X Concept was apparently inspired by '90s tuner cars. The company lowered its 2016 Civic sedan on a coilover suspension and gave it some classic SSR mesh wheels. The hood has been replaced with a carbon fiber version, and black accents on the mirrors and door handles complement it. The interior is finished in red and black Alcantara, and gets an upgraded sound system with multiple amplifiers and subwoofers. Some modifications by Greddy have been made under the hood as well, but no details were given. We do spot a front-mounted intercooler, so we imagine this Civic is a bit more potent than the standard turbo model. Honda also showed a race-prepped version of the Civic Coupe that will be eligible for racing in America and around the world. Among the modifications done to it are an FIA-certified roll cage and an absolutely enormous wing. The car will make its racing debut at this year's 25 Hours of Thunderhill in December.