The Honda Civic is one of the most well-known model names in the world, a compact vehicle that is available in coupe and sedan body styles. The 2014 Honda Civic offers a tasteful and sporty design, with a long list of standard and optional conveniences.
The front-wheel-drive-only 2014 Honda Civic seats five and comes in LX, EX, EX-L, EX-L with navigation, and Si grades. The sedan also features a fuel-efficient HF grade. Hybrid and natural gas models are marketed independently.
Several updates were made for 2014, including refreshed front and rear fascias for the coupe, and modest equipment improvements across the model range. The previous five-speed automatic transmission is gone, replaced by a continuously variable automatic transmission. The LX and Si coupes now feature firmer suspension tuning, while new features such as push-button ignition, a blind spot camera, and a larger color display screen are included.
Exterior Highlights
The 2014 Honda Civic features a polished design with both body styles supplying a wraparound upper grille. Modest distinctions in the lower grille are found with the coupe, specifically unique pockets containing the optional fog lights.
The coupe features a sharpened kick to the belt line, while the roofline is hooked as such to dramatically drop at the center roof pillar. Both models offer unique character lines and sculpting that only enhance this model’s sporty character. Color-keyed and power-operated side mirrors and large sinuate rear combination lights are found. The Civic Coupe Si models are embellished with sports skirting, a spoiler, and rear diffuser ornamentation trim.
The Civic Sedan models have standard 15-inch steel wheels; coupes have 16-inch wheels. An assortment of 16- and 17-inch alloy wheel designs are also available. The Civic Si models are dressed with 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped within grand touring performance tires and include a limited-slip differential.
Interior Highlights
The 2014 Civic offers room for five with the modestly lengthier sedan delivering a more spacious cabin. The front seats are as comfortable as would be expected in this segment. Standard cloth seats give way to lush leather seats with certain grades. The rear seat folds flat for both the coupe and the sedan, with the latter delivering a standard 60/40 split. The rear seat space is more comfortable in the sedan but feels limited in the two-door.
The cabin unveils an update over the previous year, although the earlier two-section instrument panel with an upper overlay prevails. Soft-touch materials and plastics are generously employed throughout the cabin. Most models have a center console with a sliding armrest and storage sections, front and back drink holders, and in-door storage space.
The list of standard equipment includes air conditioning, power windows and door locks, cruise control, and a tilt-and-telescopic steering column. Heated front seats are available.
The sedan offers 12.5 cubic feet of trunk storage space, which is below what you’ll find in the competing Hyundai Elantra. The Civic coupe supplies 11.7 cubic feet of standard storage space and that is also less than what the rival Scion tC Coupe has.
Performance and Efficiency
Most 2014 Honda Civics come with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine supplying 143 horsepower and 129 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard; a continuously variable automatic transmission is available.
The EPA estimates the Civic’s fuel economy at 29/37/32 mpg city/highway/combined with the automatic and 28/35/31 mpg city/highway/combined with the manual transmission. Civic HF models are EPA-rated at 31/40/37 mpg city/highway/combined.
All Civic Si models are motivated by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 205 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. A 6-speed manual transmission is the only choice. This model makes an EPA-projectd 22/31/25 mpg city/highway/combined.
Technology and Safety
Among the standard technology features in the 2014 Civic are USB and audio auxiliary input ports, a 12-volt outlet, Bluetooth, and Pandora compatibility. A four-speaker audio system is standard. Also available is a six-speaker audio system, a seven-inch color display, and a rearview camera. A navigation system is included with top trim models only.
The 2014 Civic has decent crash safety ratings. This model received a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), its highest honor. All 2014 models have a rearview camera. Available LaneWatch expands this model’s side view from the right side of the vehicle when the right turn signal is activated.
Competitive Set
We recommend crossing the 2014 Civic with several models. These include the Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus, Subaru Impreza, Chevrolet Cruze, Volkswagen Jetta, Kia Forte, and the Mazda Mazda2.
Our Verdict
In our opinion, the Honda Civic is one of the best models available, bar none. Along with the midsize Accord, these models perform above the competition and have a stellar reputation for quality, durability, and reliability.
As with any used vehicle, obtaining its history report is important. Avoid cars that have sustained heavy damage. Finally, we never recommend cars that were totaled and retitled. These vehicles are often marked as “branded title” models.
See Also — Honda Delivers a Civic Lesson for the Ages
Photos courtesy of American Honda Co., Inc. All rights reserved by the manufacturer.
