Is The 2016 Honda Civic A Good Car? What To Know
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For many decades, the Civic nameplate has been a massive hit for the Japanese automaker, Honda. One of the many reasons why the Civic is so popular is its fun-to-drive personality. Many drivers appreciate the lightweight chassis, durable engines, and up-to-date suspension geometry, making it an engaging car to drive.
The low prices and wide availability of Honda Civics make them an attractive option for enthusiasts looking to get a lot of performance for their money. The Civic offers excellent value, especially models from the 1990s. However, if you want to spring for a more recent Honda Civic, that works as well – take, for example, the 2016 Civic.
Is the 2016 Honda Civic a good car?
For today’s post, we will highlight several key qualities and specs of the 2016 Civic and some potential flaws. Let’s take a look.
Engine, Performance, and Fuel Economy
For the 2016 model year, the Civic received a fresh base engine, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, alongside the more talked-about 1.5-liter turbocharged option. This then-new 2.0-liter engine, notably sticking with multiport fuel injection, marks a notable upgrade from its predecessor by offering an additional 15 horsepower and 9 lb-ft of torque, totaling 158 hp and 138 lb-ft.
Despite these enhancements and a slight weight reduction, the Civic LX’s performance boost is mostly perceptible in urban driving conditions, where the increase in mid-range torque becomes apparent. The performance disparity between the 2.0-liter and the turbocharged 1.5-liter engines is more pronounced than the gap between the 2.0-liter and the previous 1.8-liter engine.
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Nevertheless, this base engine represents a significant improvement, aligning more competitively with its segment rivals.
In terms of drive quality, the 2016 Honda Civic was praised for its ride quality, which succeeded in providing comfort and handling better than many of its competitors. As expected, the 2016 Civic’s steering was precise and responsive, offering good feedback and making you feel its agility and confidence on the road.
2016 Honda Civic Fuel Economy
Fuel economy varies depending on your choice of engine and transmission. To break it down:
- 2.0L Engine with CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission): This is the most fuel-efficient combination for the base engine, offering an EPA-estimated 31 mpg city, 41 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined.
- 1.5L Turbocharged Engine with CVT: This powertrain offered the best fuel economy in the lineup, with an impressive EPA-estimated 31 mpg city, 42 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined.
- Manual Transmission: The 2016 Civic also offered a six-speed manual transmission with the 2.0L engine, providing an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city, 40 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined.
For a more detailed look into the 2016 Civic’s fuel economy, please visit the EPA.gov website.
Interior and Tech Features
Honda cars are always known for their comfortable, premium cabins; the 2016 Civic is no exception. In particular, the 2016 Honda Civic’s interior represents a bold step away from the brand’s typically minimalist design philosophy.
The dashboard of this Civic might look more straightforward than the previous model’s two-tiered design, but it’s packed with a mix of textures, colors, and materials that give it a more detailed and lively look. Adding to this intricate vibe, the Civic Touring model sports leather seats with eye-catching stitching and colorful stripes, plus a large center console with a unique cup holder layout that stands out.
On the other hand, the 2016 Civic offered generous space for passengers, making it one of the more comfortable options in the compact car segment. Front-row occupants enjoyed ample head and legroom, with 42.3 inches of legroom. The rear seats were equally accommodating, with 37.4 inches of legroom, which was spacious for a compact car. Storage-wise, the 2016 Honda Civic sedan version boasted an impressive 15.1 cu-ft of trunk space, a class-leading number.
The Civic’s infotainment system saw significant improvements in 2016, with the introduction of a 7-inch touchscreen display in higher trims. This system supported both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, seamlessly integrating smartphone functionalities. However, many complained the touchscreen interface can be frustrating to use.
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Safety Features and Ratings
Is the 2016 Honda Civic a good car? Is it safe? Thankfully, the 2016 Civic was well-regarded for its safety features and impressive safety ratings. Some standard safety features include:
- Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control: Helps to stabilize the vehicle during cornering if the car turns more or less than desired.
- Anti-lock Braking System: Helps prevent the wheels from locking up, thereby maintaining tractive contact with the road surface.
- Brake Assist: Helps apply full braking force in an emergency situation.
- Multi-Angle Rearview Camera: Offers a view of what’s behind the vehicle, with multiple angles for a better perspective.
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System: Alerts the driver when a tire is significantly under-inflated.
- LED Daytime Running Lights: Increase the vehicle’s visibility to other drivers.
Unfortunately, the excellent Honda Sensing Suite, which includes safety and driver aids like collision mitigation and adaptive cruise control, doesn’t come as standard for the 2016 Civic.
For safety ratings, The 2016 Honda Civic received top marks from the IIHS, earning a “Top Safety Pick+” rating when equipped with the optional front crash prevention system. Meanwhile, the Civic also excelled in NHTSA testing, receiving an overall 5-star safety rating.
Long-Term Reliability and Lifespan
RepairPal says the Honda Civic is the 3rd most reliable model out of 35 compact cars, which bodes well for the 2016 Honda Civic. Meanwhile, the Civic is one of those cars that would seem to run forever with religious maintenance. With timely repairs and regular maintenance, the 2016 Civic should easily clear the 200k-mile milestone before encountering major problems and go as many as 300,000 miles.
THE HONDA CIVIC YEARS TO AVOID
The Honda Civic has been on the market for some time now, and not each release was picture perfect. We’ve compiled a list of Honda Civic years to avoid, helping you get the best of the make and avoid the worst.
Final Verdict: Is The 2016 Honda Civic A Good Car?
The 2016 Honda Civic is one of the best used compact cars you can buy. Like many of its iterations, this car offers incredible value, and its high reliability and longevity ensure your investment counts in the long run. Is the 2016 Honda Civic a good car? It’s an easy YES!
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