The all-new 11th-generation Honda Civic Sedan has been reimagined for a new generation of drivers, with a clean and modern interpretation of Honda's longstanding "Man Maximum/Machine Minimum" design philosophy. In essence, the M/M philosophy means maximizing the total environment for the driver and passengers, while minimizing the space needed for mechanical components. As a result, the Civic features sporty design with a low cowl, excellent visibility, exceptional attention to detail and a space-efficient, human-centered interior. With two improved powertrains and a stiffer body structure graced by a reengineered chassis, the 11th-generation Civic also upholds the Civic tradition of rewarding its drivers with class-leading driving dynamics. Plus, a new version of the Honda Sensing® suite of active safety and driver assistive technologies and multiple new airbag designs - including a world's first application - continue to advance the state of the art in small-vehicle safety.
Simple and Sporty Exterior Design
The new 11th generation Honda Civic Sedan draws inspiration from earlier Civics, while taking a fresh take on Honda's human-centered approach inside and out. The simple and sporty exterior styling features a low beltline with a long and low hood, pulled back A-pillars, and ample glass area. The wide-set LED headlights and taillights are connected with a sharp character line that carries from the front fender to the taillights, while the horizontal orientation of the taillights give Civic a sense of stability on the road.
Interior Design and Package
The 11th-generation Civic interior introduces a new design direction for future Honda models with an intense focus on the classic M/M design values and a human-centered approach that uses technology and design to serve the needs of the driver and passengers. Creating the new interior, and by extension a new interior design language for Honda, required a new way of thinking about a car's interior, and a new approach for design. The team settled on the concept of a "fine morning" as the theme for their direction, with the goal of designing a comfortable cabin that contributes to the creation of a feeling of freedom and vitality, turning every drive into a positive experience drivers would look forward to. To help accomplish this, the designers spent two weeks in the U.S. verifying first-hand the kinds of experiences that went into having a "fine morning," not just behind the wheel, but as an everyday experience.
The team was reminded of how small things matter, such as the expansive feeling of morning light shining through doors and windows. The challenge of translating that kind of productive and meaningful time to when driving to work, with the stress of traffic congestion, was no small task and required new methods of interior design development. In the early stages of development, the team built a test vehicle by modifying the hood and pillar positions of the 10th-generaton Civic. By driving, modifying, and maturing this test vehicle, they were able to refine their concept to determine the framework for the goal of a "fine morning," translating many of their thoughts and methods into the final production model. The design team also broke convention by working with the Color, Material and Fabric team to develop knobs, switches, and other physical touch points before the overall design motif had been settled. This focus emphasized at a high level how visual and tactile interior qualities affect the entire experience.
Advanced Safety
Civic has earned a reputation as a leader in small-car safety performance, and the 11th-generation continues that tradition with multiple new active and passive safety systems. In a world's first, both frontal airbags have been designed to reduce the likelihood of brain injury by better controlling head motions in a collision, especially in oblique impacts, by reducing the rotational head motion of the driver and passenger. Additionally, the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure has been reengineered for even better compatibility in collisions with larger vehicles, and for enhanced occupant protection in oblique collisions.
The Honda Sensing® suite of active safety and driver assistive technologies goes to the next level with the 11th-generation Civic. Using a new single-camera system that provides a wider field of view than the previous radar-and-camera based system, the new Honda Sensing® also uses a faster processor to more quickly identify pedestrians, bicyclists and other vehicles, plus road signs and road lines. Expanded functionality includes new Traffic Jam Assist, and improvements such as more natural brake feel and quicker reactions when using Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and more natural steering feel when using the Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS).
Additional Driver Assistive Technologies
In Touring trim, the 11th-generation Civic also benefits from additional driver assistive technologies. A new blind spot information system on EX and Touring trims uses radar installed on the rear corners of the vehicle to detect vehicles approaching from the rear, signaling the driver with a visual and audible warning. The blind spot information system has been expanded in the new Civic, so when a vehicle approaches from diagonally behind at a significantly different relative speed and the system considers it a potential risk of contact, it will alert the driver when it comes into a range of approximately 25 meters.
Also on Touring are four sonar sensors installed on the front of the vehicle, and four on the back. These sonar sensors significantly improve the detection of non-metallic objects that could be missed by the outgoing millimeter wave radar, such as glass and external exterior walls. This enables the implementation of Low Speed Braking Control and front and rear false-start prevention, to reduce the likelihood of low-speed collisions, such as in parking situations.
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