mesh grille anchored by new integrated fog lights.
The popular Honda Civic returns for 2013 with a host of design upgrades and new standard features, while continuing with the efficiency and value that has made it an icon for 40 years.
The 2013 Civic Sedan and Coupe are available in LX, EX, EX-L and Si models, with the Civic Hybrid, Civic Natural Gas and Civic HF offered in the sedan. The entry model DX has been discontinued.
The Civic Sedan gets new front and rear exterior styling and the interior on all models received extensive styling upgrades. Up front, a new open-mouth lower bumper with a horizontal chrome accent and a sportier black honeycomb mesh grille is anchored by new integrated fog lights on EX-L and higher trims. The grille is flanked by new clearlens corner lights and the front end flows into a new taller, more deeply faceted hood.
To the rear, a new bumper design and trunk lid are capped by a clean, horizontal chrome trim piece. The rear bumper features integrated reflector treatments and a new lower diffuser panel finished with a honeycomb mesh vent. Restyled wheels on all models help sharpen the look.
Under the hood, the Civic lineup includes the fuel efficient, all-aluminum, 140-hp, i- VTEC 1.8-liter 16-valve four-cylinder engine (28/39/32 mpg city/hwy/combined) that delivers 128 pounds-feet of torque at 4300 rpm. It’s mated to either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. Also available is a sporty all-aluminum, 201- hp, i-VTEC 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve engine paired to a six-speed manual transmission.
Other power options include 1.8-liter, 110 hp a natural gas engine (available in 37 states) and a 1.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid powerplant mated to Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system and its lithiumion battery pack. Paired to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), the Civic Hybrid earns a city/hwy/combined EPA rating of 44/44/44 mpg.
All Civic models have Honda’s ECO Assist technology, which with the push of the green dash-mounted “ECON” button helps drivers operate the vehicle more fuel efficiently.
New safety technologies built into the Civic include the application of the next-gen Advanced Compatibility Engineering II (ACE II) body structure, which includes additional front end structures designed to help increase occupant protection by dispersing crash energy in frontal crashes. Also new are SmartVent side airbags and side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor. Available Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) systems make their debut in the 2013 Civic Hybrid. All 2013 Civic models come standard equipped with such features as Bluetooth HandsFreeLink and Audio, rearview camera, color i-MID display, USB/iPod connection, Pandora Interface, a SMS text feature, steering wheel audio controls, exterior temperature gauge and sliding center-console armrest.
Pricing on the 2013 Honda LX Sedan starts at $18,165.
Ron Beasley is the automotive editor for Miami’s Community Newspapers. He may be contacted by calling 305-662-2277, ext. 261, or by addressing email correspondence to LetsTalkCars@aol.com
