Refreshed and Refined 2014 Honda Civic
Honda will show the refreshed 2014 Civic for the first time at Frankfurt Motor Show. The car will benefit from exterior and interior refinements that give the Civic a more distinctive, sportier appearance. The updated exterior styling focuses on the rear of the car with the introduction of privacy glass to the windows . In addition, smoke coloured rear combination lights have also been introduced. A smart black border now surrounds the license plate, tailgate and a new lower bumper. The Civic also features a new front bumper frame, a darker wheel arch finish and new 17” Aluminum silver and black wheels.
Subtle changes to the interior further emphasise the interior quality of the refreshed Civic. These styling changes include new white stitching detail that has been applied to the steering wheel, seat and knee pad and black buttons on the audio panel and steering wheel switches.
The Civic has also undergone small adjustments to the front and rear suspension and steering in order to optimise linearity, stability and the ride comfort particularly at high speeds. More information will be provided at the European Media Test drive later this year.
The Civic will feature the same suite of new sensor based active safety systems that use a combination of cameras and short range lidar technologies that are being introduced on the Civic Tourer. For details of Advanced Driver Assist Systems fitted to the Civic Tourer please see “Safety for Everyone” section below.
The refreshed Civic will be built at Honda’s UK manufacturing facility in Swindon and will be launched in early 2014.
Safety for Everyone
Honda’s commitment to safety is embodied by the term ‘Safety for Everyone’; safety for drivers, but also safety for passengers, pedestrians and occupants of all vehicles. Honda’s car-to-car crash test facility at the Tochigi R&D plant analyses impacts between models of different sizes and weights and develops solutions to mitigate injuries for both passengers and pedestrians.
As with all Honda cars, safety was at the forefront of the development team’s mind when designing the refreshed Civic and the Civic Tourer. Particularly important was the integration of advanced active safety systems known as Advanced Driver Assist Systems. This suite of sensor based active safety systems will be using a combination of cameras and short range lidar and radar technologies:
Advanced Driver Assist Systems available on the Civic and Civic Tourer will include*;
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Departure Warning detects road markings and if the car deviates from your current lane without indicating, Lane Departure Warning alerts you with audible and visual warnings.
Traffic Sign Recognition
Traffic Sign Recognition has the ability to automatically recognise road signs and display them via the intelligent Multi Information Display. Two road signs can be displayed at any one time.
Blind Spot Information
Blind Spot Information is a Honda-first radar technology which can automatically detect vehicles in the driver’s blind spot and warns of potential dangers.
Forward Collision Warning
Forward Collision Warning detects risk of collision by recognising the vehicle directly infront using a camera. The system operates when the car is at a speed of 9 mph and above. The system offers visible and audible warnings.
High-beam Support System
This system detects oncoming vehicles, bicycles and environmental brightness and automatically applies the High beam on/off when necessary. This system can be switched on or off by the driver.
Cross Traffic Monitor
Honda’s Cross Traffic Monitor system warns the driver when reversing of approaching vehicles using rear side radar sensors that are located in the rear bumper of the car. The direction of an approaching vehicle is shown either on the rear camera screen or displayed using arrows showing the direction of the travelling vehicle on the i-Mid display.
City-Brake Active System**
Specifically designed to help avoid or mitigate low speed accidents. City-Brake Active is a laser radar system that scans the road ahead, automatically applying the brakes if an imminent risk of collision is detected. The system operates at low speeds (19 mph and below).
Adaptive Cruise Control
This system allows you to choose both your speed and distance from the vehicle ahead. If this falls below the set level, the system instantly decelerates the vehicle. Where quicker deceleration is required ACC will alert the driver to apply the brakes.
Collision Mitigation Braking System**
This system monitors the following distance and closing rate between your vehicle and the car directly in front of it, warning the driver when a collision is likely and helping reduce impact speed when a collision becomes unavoidable.
*Available on selected Grades
** City-Brake Active System and Collision Mitigation Braking System/Adaptive Cruise Control are not available in conjunction with each other
Comparison table (Civic / Civic Tourer)
| CIVIC | CIVIC TOURER | ||
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 4285/1770/1440 | 4520/1770/1440* | |
| Volume | Luggage space (Seats up, up to window)Litres |
477 | 624* |
| Luggage Space (Seats down, up to roof lining)Litres |
1378 | 1668* | |
| Load height (mm) | 702 | 565* | |