Maybe an odd fact to open with, but a neat one nonetheless for a car that starts at $19,475. That’s for the manually shifted, “any takers?” LX; the actual starting price is $20,275 for the mass-made Civic with the continuously variable transmission. Standard auto climate control (dual zone on the turbocharged EX-T, EX-L, and Touring trims) is a first for the Civic and the system is said to get into its operating zone 10-percent quicker than the last version. It also finally switches to a variable-displacement air-conditioning compressor, which worked fluidly and discreetly in the perpetual Southern California heat.
Honda expects 30 percent of 2016 Civic sedan customers to take the new-to-the-U.S., 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four. The optional engine makes 174 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque — greater than all Si variants up to 2005 — but achieves Real MPG of 27.1/45.3/33.1 mpg city/highway/combined with our Touring-grade test car. The step-up engine gives the Civic the sway to attract customers who want some extra shove and may have been eyeing competitors including the Mazda3 and Dodge Dart.
