Amidst the City, Jazz, Accord and even the CR-Z, the Civic is undoubtedly the face of Honda, especially in the Philippines. Through the years, it has earned its rightful place in the hearts and minds of Filipino buyers with its sporty DNA, driver-centric attributes, and affordable pricing. However, the entry of the ninth-generation Civic in 2012 underscored a difficult time at Honda. Not only did they have to resort to launching a single variant, imported from Japan, due to a plant shutdown in Thailand, it was received lukewarmly especially with its less than sporty design.
Despite selling almost 5,000 units to date, Honda Cars Philippines is rectifying the main criticism against the Civic. Now, they are aiming to bring sporty back by refreshing it for the 2014 model year. The new, refreshed Civic now embodies a more complete package that offers sportier styling and more technologically-advanced features to match the spirited driving performance that the brand has always been known for. With a strengthened partnership with M-Tec Company Limited, makers of MUGEN and Honda Access Asia and Oceana Company Limited, makers of Modulo, the new Civic comes with a redesign that’s more aggressive and dynamic.
With the grand concept of “More Sporty Civic”, the 2014 Honda Civic is now offered with factory-installed accessories in two of the three variants. The top-of-the-line 2.0 EL is now offered with a MUGEN body kit composed of a sports grille, front under spoiler, rear under spoiler, side under spoiler, wing-type trunk spoiler, and of course, the MUGEN trunk emblem. This goes hand-in-hand with the new two-tone black and silver 17-inch alloy wheels fitted with 215/45R17 tires. Meanwhile, the mid-range 1.8 E now comes standard with a Modulo body kit consisting of a front under spoiler, rear under spoiler, side under spoilers, a wing-type trunk spoiler, and the Modulo trunk emblem. The 1.8 E rides on a new three-dimensional, multi-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels with 205/55R16 tires. Both models also have front fog lamps, chrome door handles, power retracting side mirrors with integrated side turn lights as standard equipment. Not to be outdone, the base 1.8 S gets a new honeycomb grille with a single-bar accent.
Inside, the 2014 Civic gets a swathe of new and exciting features. Some interior panels have been revamped for a more upscale look and feel, with the 2.0 EL MUGEN receiving high-luster piano black accents on the doors, steering wheel, and center console. This goes hand-in-hand with the black leather seating with white stitching. The 1.8-liter variants receive a two-tone gray and black cabin with high-quality moquette fabric seats. Debuting on the 2014 Civic is a new 7-inch touch screen display audio system with the same intuitive look and feel first seen in the City sub-compact. This new infotainment system features functions such as Bluetooth hands-free telephone and audio streaming connectivity. The new Civic can connect and mirror a smartphone or tablet’s display via its new HDMI port. Other input options include two USB ports and an auxiliary audio jack. The 1.8 E Modulo and 2.0 EL MUGEN get a six-speaker sound system as standard.
Capping off the Civic’s revamped interior features is a new multi-view reverse camera that comes standard on the 1.8 E Modulo and the 2.0 EL MUGEN. And speaking about the 2.0 EL MUGEN, it’s now 5-star ASEAN NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) compliant thanks to its suite of six airbags, anti-lock brakes with EBD and brake assist, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), ISOFIX child seat anchors, and front passenger seatbelt reminder.
Mechanically, the 2014 Civic remains unchanged, coming in both 1.8 and 2.0-liter flavors, both mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0-liter remains rated at 155 horsepower and 190 Nm of torque, while the 1.8-liter pumps out 141 horsepower and 174 Nm. Improving the Civic’s long-distance driving comfort, the 1.8 E Modulo and 2.0 EL MUGEN now benefit from standard cruise control aside from the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
“The new Honda Civic is poised to show off its distinct and unique characteristics that only Civic can claim,” said Mr. Toshio Kuwahara, President and General Manager of Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. “The new Civic embodies a complete package that meets the dynamic needs of our valued customers,” he added.
The new 2014 Civic is offered in five colors: Modern Steel Metallic (1.8 E Modulo, 2.0 EL MUGEN), White Orchid Pearl (1.8 E Modulo, 2.0 EL MUGEN), Carnelian Red Pearl (1.8 S and 1.8 E Modulo), Taffeta White (1.8 S), and Crystal Black Pearl (all variants). The suggested retail prices are as follows: P 978,000 (1.8 S), P 1,118,000 (1.8 E Modulo), P 1,368,000 (2.0 EL MUGEN).
I laugh at the notion that this is a more "sporty" Civic.
ReplyDeleteMore like "ricey".
I was expecting sharper steering, quicker transmission response, and better suspension.
Yeah, a wannabe sporty car.
ReplyDeleteIf you really want the looks and feel of a sporty car in this segment. Might as well check the Ford Focus, Mitsubishi Lancer Gta and the new Mazda 3.
Wow, what a way to admit that Honda has thrown in the towel for this current generation Civic. Just dress it up with heavy and drag-inducing body kits and ignore any improvements in the engine, transmission and suspension. Only Honda ricers would be fooled by this desperate stunt.
ReplyDeleteAnd, oh, by the way, has VTEC kicked in yet??? Lolz.
Yeah! its kickin Yo?.... nyahaha! ma bisimoto yo!
DeleteNo amount of ricey bodykits would hide this generation's disjointed design. It's like one person designed the front and another one designed the rear!
ReplyDeletePangit pa rin kahit gaano karaming bodykit ikabit niyo dito, haha. "You can't polish a turd" ika nga nila.
ReplyDeleteRicer
ReplyDeleteSir uly, how's the sound quality of the six-speaker system on the mugen and modulo variants? Is it good enough?
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say it's ground-breaking, but it's good enough. This is based on the experience I've had with the pre-Modulo and pre-MUGEN Civics. Haven't tried the new Modulo and MUGEN models to actually say if their speakers have been improved. Likely they're the same ones.
DeleteOh okay, but how does it compare to the speakers on the new City VX??
Deletethis i would like to know.. how much KM would a 1 liter runs, for the 2.0EL
ReplyDeleteSir Uly... coming from someone who knows about cars. . . Which color do yo prefer? MODERN STEEL OR WHITE PEARL?
ReplyDeleteThe color is dependent completely on taste. That said, I won't pay the additional money for the White Pearl. I'll stick with Modern Steel. But that's me.
DeleteTingin ko eto pa rin yung 2012 na civic nilagyan lang ng body kit.. Asan na yung soft touch materials sa dash at yung mga stitching sa door panels? Yung tail lights bulok pa din mas maganda pa din FD
ReplyDeleteay pangit pala buy sana ako wag na lang mag altis 2.0v na lang ako salamat
ReplyDeleteThese car makers do not respect the Filipino consumers. They regale you with bluetooth connectivity but put only 2 airbags in their cars. Honda put only 2 airbags in the entry level Civic. In the case of Mazda, they put a 1.5 liter engine instead of a 1.6 or a 1.8 liter engine in their entry level Mazda 3. Nissan only put 2 airbags instead of 6 and they remove the stability control in the Sylphy. By the way, stability control saves lives about 22% of all car accidents if Im not mistaken. Mitsubishi? Theirs is just jurassic. For your safety and that of your family your car should have at least 6 airbags, stability control, ABS with EBD. And chech the different bodies that do crash tests. The most stringent in my opinion is the IIHS. Protect your life and protect the ones you love.
ReplyDeleteI have to add that Mazda put only 4 airbags in the Mazda 3. Not acceptable
ReplyDeleteOne more thing, even most of their midsize sedans, pick ups, vans and SUVs only have 2 airbags.
ReplyDeleteToyota? The Altis and Camry 2.5 only have 2 airbags. And the problem with Toyota is that their engine is well built but the structural integrity is questionable. Even their luxury segment Lexus is questionable. They did not pass the small overlap test of the IIHS. If Im not mistaken it was the latest Camry (the Camry here is the older model) that passed the snall overlap test.
ReplyDeleteIsuzu vehicles only have 2 airbags. And their new 7 seater SUV is underpowered. Most Korean car makers put just 2 airbags. Unacceptable IMO
ReplyDeleteSubaru? The thing is, they do not sell the 2.5 liter Forester here. IMO, most people just need the 2 and 2.5 liter engine Forester. A compact SUV (ST) for almost 2 million pesos is just nuts.
ReplyDeleteHow about fuel economy po
ReplyDelete