Honda debuts "honed" 2013 Civic

[CrunkedRL]

Honda debuts "honed" 2013 Civic
Autoblog
Steven Ewing
November 12, 2012

001-2013-honda-civic.jpg

Here it is, folks – the highly anticipated "emergency refresh" of the decidedly disappointing ninth-generation Honda Civic. You know, the model that made the entire automotive media wear a collective frown. And the car that was dropped from the Consumer Reports 'Recommended' list. Critically speaking at least, it's been a bad year, Civic.

The vast majority of updates for the 2013 model are skin-deep, and Honda says the Civic has been "honed to make the segment's best-selling car even better." Up front, there's a new lower front fascia with a prominent chrome accent bar and a black honeycomb grille, along with new headlamps. The whole schnoz features more sculpted, shapely lines that flow up into the more curvaceous hood. At the back, Honda has redesigned the bumper and diffuser, and the chrome accent up front is mimicked at taillamp level. In fact, those rear lights themselves have been redesigned and now carry over onto the trunk lid. A host of new alloy wheels will also be offered.

Honda has not yet divulged any other details regarding the "safety, feature, comfort, chassis and interior styling enhancements" that will round-out this 2013 Civic, but it's clear the changes are an attempt to whittle the Civic's way back into critics' good graces. We definitely hope that some work has been done to the mechanical components you can't see, as our biggest complaint regarding the ninth-generation model was that it lost the great-to-drive dynamic that has historically been one of our favorite things about the Civic. Interior materials and overall fit-and-finish will hopefully receive a healthy once-over, as well.

Either way, it's impressive that Honda has reacted this quickly, pulling ahead a planned mid-cycle redo after the current generation had just one year on the market. It's an unprecedented showing – we can't recall the last time a mainstream car received such substantial year-over-year changes. What makes it even more unusual is that all of the hand-wringing among pundits doesn't seem to have affected sales – through October, Honda has cleared its decks of 276,196 Civics in the US – a 38.8-percent increase over last year.

Scroll down for Honda's brief press release detailing the styling tweaks to the 2013 Civic. The full smattering of details will hit the Interwebs as part of the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show festivities, with the car officially going on sale on November 29, the same day it gets its auto show reveal. Stay tuned.

[FenwickHockey65]

It's better. Kinda.

[CrunkedRL]

The 2013 Civic turned out better than I expected on the outside at least. The jury is still out on the interior which stood a much greater more urgent need for improvement...that and of course some much needed suspension upgrades. It's funny over the past week some of the local Honda dealer's have been advertising fire sale leases on the 2012 models for $139 a month.

[Tone]

So ... it looks more like the previous one? Not sure what that says about Honda's design chops!

[majicbz07]

The 2013 Civic turned out better than I expected on the outside at least......the jury is still out on the interior which stood a much greater more urgent need for improvement. It's funny over the past week some of the local Honda dealer's have been advertising fire sale leases on the 2012 models for $139 a month.

The fire sale is due to an internal memo sent to all dealers stating to get rid of all 2012's otherwise it would be hard to sell the 2012 with the 2013 beside it. That memo was posted here a little while ago.

[Amphibian]

Eh, I don't really call it much of an improvement. Hopefully that interior will be worth the wait.

[F14CRAZY]

Funny how sales still increased over last year by over 200k units. Honda people will buy any piece of garbage they put out

[camaro_freak]

the nip/tuck does bring it in line with the Accord but it still isn't a great looker - oh and those wheels - yuck

I guess I should be forgiving as they are "assembled" here in my home state and provide jobs to a lot of families ....

[CaddyLac10]

Marginally better, but those photo releases are clearly showing it from its best angles, which aren't many.

The profile shot really shows its awkward shape.

[bballr4567]

Did GM start a craze for adding a chrome bar on the rear of cars?!?!?!

[Neanderthal]

Did GM start a craze for adding a chrome bar on the rear of cars?!?!?!

Yes, it's good for 10 HP and 2 MPG.

This is a pricey "compact." And $1600 for 16" alloys and $2000 for 17-inchers? Oiiii!

[mjd1001]

Marginally better, but those photo releases are clearly showing it from its best angles, which aren't many.

The profile shot really shows its awkward shape.

I agree. It is really hard to tell just how this looks with those angles they show.

[KingElvis]

Yes, it's good for 10 HP and 2 MPG.

This is a pricey "compact." And $1600 for 16" alloys and $2000 for 17-inchers? Oiiii!

Steel wheels = smart money! You could go down to Pep boys and pick up some alloys for like $99 apiece.

http://www.pepboys.com/tires_wheels/.../custom_wheels

[KingElvis]

1962: "The problem with Detroit cars is that the automakers change the styling every year but don't improve the engineering."

2012 "Japanese car makers are now making yearly styling changes...HURRAY!"

[steve333]

Looks better but the interior is what needed the most improvement. The current version is horrendous.