Controversial redesign pushes 2014 Civic sales to 10 year high

What’s the scoop, why does Civic continue to dominate a very crowded entry level compact car segment?

In a recent US News Best Cars Ranking, automotive journalist rated Civic # 3 out of 40 cars reviewed. Honda Fit and Mazda 3 edged out Civic for the top spots. Initially we found the 2014 redesign to be a bit edgier than neccesary; the Civic nose design to be very color sencitive, we didn't like it.

But as they say, the public has spoken. In review, Torque News believes that Civic's success is tied to its edgy good looks, loaded base-price accessories and tech-rich, easily interfaced personal communication and entertainment connectivity.

While that last sentence was a run-on bordering on a standalone paragraph, we find it tough to capture all that is a -party-to the 2014 Civic success story. We’ve had the pleasure of driving the much improved 2014 Civic in all trim levels. While it’s not a Honda Accord or the European Civic Type R, we do believe the North American Civic to be a relative bargain when taking the following contingencies and conditions into account.

Redesigned 2014 Civic an astounding success.

American Honda Motors and the North American auto industry experienced a mild retraction of sales to date for 2014; June was not the exception. As noted by Torque News, Honda sales for the year were down 0.8% with a 5.8% downtrend recorded for the month. While early and late spring weather in much of North America remained on the cold side, many North Americans found themselves returning to work in June after a very weather- tough extended winter.

However, the federal Jobs report released in the first week of July indicates a continued and sustainable economic recovery as we come into summer 2014. This news should be good for Honda.

O.K., with that said, don’t cry for Honda, they’ll be just fine. While Civic, Accord and CR-V continue to be best sellers in Honda’s North American lineup, it’s Civic that underscores what Honda is for many North Americans. Built in the U.S. and Canada since 1983, Civic is as American as your great grandmother’s Ford LTD. An estimated 30 million Civics in multiple variants have hit the road running in North America. It’s not unusual to find 3 generations of a Honda family driving Civic.

Base Price: A reasonably equipped Civic LX has a “ beginning msrp” of $18390 + cost of sale. What you get for the $ spent is a decent handling, good looking 4 door sedan. I’m not in the business of selling Honda, but, what we like about Civic is this; So will you.

According to Kelley Blue Book, the 2014 Civic is estimated to have the highest residual value of any vehicle in its segment. KBB tells us that after 6 years of ownership, one can expect a residual return of 50-60% of original purchase price at time of trade-in or resale.

Mazda 3 can’t touch this: Honda’s mechanically bullet-proof 1.8 liter, 16 valve, SOHC 4 cylinder i-VTEC is tuned to produce 143 hp @ 6500 rpms, with a very usable 129 lb-ft torque available in the midrange. Working in tandem with a 5 speed manual or CVT transmission, Civic sips gasoline( mpg) at the affordable rate of 30 city/ 39 hwy. For 2014, handling as well as interior sound deadening has been measurable improved.

Critics like the improved plastics and soft materials placed generously throughout the interior. Seating and ergonomics are noticeably improved for 2014. So is the exterior body styling and trim. Civic is very "grown up" for 2014 and compliments Honda's line with a new uptick entry level quality sedan and coupe.

While we expect the 2015 Fit to give Civic a run for the money, those wishing for a conventional sedan or S coupe will find Civic to be surprisingly refined and drive-worthy for your dollar spent.

What we don’t like about it.

The list grows shorter every year, for 2014, Honda has held the base price while adding value to the Civic LX. With considerable competition in the compact class, one would be hard pressed to find a greater long-term value in a reliable, good looking compact sedan.

However, we do find it to be a bit redundant that Honda has opted to retain the mechanically adjusted driver’s seat in the 2014 Civic. Also, we would like a slightly softer suspension setting, quieter tire tread and a hatchback option. That's it...