2017 HONDA CIVIC COUPE.....ONE OWNER'S OPINION

     I wasn't crazy about the Civic when the redesign showed up for 2016. In fact, being the 2-door Coupe fan that I am I had pretty much decided on leasing a 2017 Accord Coupe in June of last year when I was thinking of turning in my 2013 Altima Coupe early. The 2-door Coupe body style is almost non-existent these days in the automotive marketplace. As a sidebar, let me be clear when i use the term "Coupe". A coupe is a 2-door! That's it. End of story! I am very passionate about this subject because manufacturers keep making these sleek looking "4-door Coupe's" and it pisses me off that consumers have now bought into the hype. It's nothing more than a marketing ploy to give automakers a reason to offer more model choices than is entirely necessary. Anywho, I always liked the Accord Coupe but had never sat in nor drove one so off I went to my local Honda dealer to check it out. I let the salesman talk me into looking at and driving the Civic Coupe. Much to my surprise, I really really liked it. Then came the Accord. Again but on the opposite end I was surprised. I didn't like the way the Accord drove and it's interior was awful. So I leased the car tested here today. Back to present day. Currently, this test vehicle (my personal car) is being repaired after some jackass plowed into the the back of it over a month ago.

I Like the Civic Because...

     It's an inexpensive, efficient and reliable commuter car with a spunky little turbocharged, engine. Throw in a design that grows on you, a 10-speaker sound system, an amazing list of standard features, and you have a real winner. You'd be hard pressed to find another car in this class that comes w/ a Power Moonroof, Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, Automatic Climate Control, and a blind spot monitor that pops up automatically in the infotainment screen each time the right turn signal is turned on, all standard.

What's New for 2018

There are no changes or updates for the 2018 model year.

Driving It

A big part of the 2017 Honda Civic's winning formula is the way it combines practicality, efficiency and everyday comfort with modest to maximum dashes of sportiness. The smaller but more powerful turbo 1.5L used in higher trims of the sedan and coupe and all versions of the new Civic hatch offers good acceleration and nary a hint of turbo lag. Most buyers will prefer an automatic, and the Civic's CVT (continuously variable transmission) is among the best at mimicking a traditional one.

TEST VEHICLE =                   2017 Honda Civic EX-T Coupe
                                           White Orchid Pearl
                                           Black/Gray Cloth Seats
                                           175 hp 1.5 4-cylinder Turbo
                                           CVT

BASE PRICE =                        $23,300
PRICE AS TESTED =               $24,350 including options/destination fees

MPG =                                   31 city / 39 highway / 35 Combined

COMPETITION =                    Hyundai Veloster..........$20,000
                                            Volkswagen Beetle........$21,000
                                            MINI Cooper................$22,450

COLORS =                              White Orchid Pearl
                                             Energy Green
                                             Aegean Blue
                                             Rallye Red
                                             Lunar Silver
                                             Modern Steel
                                             Crystal Black Pearl