Renderings of the 11th-generation Honda Civic Hatchback have hit the forums, thanks to Honda patent filings, and the changes are minor but give the car a far milder look.
The biggest difference upfront is a narrower grille combined with a larger lower front fascia, basically a flip-flop of the current car.
Changes are more obvious at the rear – the hatch is smoothed out, especially where it meets the roofline. The C-shaped taillamps are gone, as is the rear spoiler, and there’s now a light bar (yes, “blende”, as some call it) across the hatch. The big black rear fascia is gone, replaced by bumper, and the vertical slab in the middle of the hatch door appears smaller/narrower.
Essentially, the overall shape is the same, just much less aggressive, with all the different “sport” trim bits removed. It’s a more mature look that has just a hint of Accord when viewed from the side.
On the one hand, the current car is quite polarizing, and toning down the look could quell criticisms of its boy-racer looks. On the other hand, the Civic sells quite well even with divisive styling, and Honda has always positioned the car as a sporty commuter. Toning down the styling risks make the car look generic and boring. It kinda does in the renderings.
Check out the renderings here.
[Image: Honda]
That’s a HUGE improvement. The current Civic is cartoonish looking.
I suspect the new Civic will look a bit better in the metal than in these computer renderings. So that should make many potential buyers happy. But I am not a potential Civic buyer. That possibility ended when they got rid of the two-door coupe.
Major DLO Fail.
Could we be getting a new Inetgra/ILX any time soon?
The rear end and hatch on the 11th generation have a small crossover vibe. The current version with its trapezoidal look and Lambo influenced center exhaust rectangular tip or dual tips have grown on me.
This is a very big improvement in the appearance of the C pillar roof. The marked change in angle of the current lift back, from the roofline, had always seemed awkward to me. I wonder if the new hatchback will have gains in the Cd?
Fully agree. Seems much more settled than boy racer. Is there a hybrid version coming? That would be awesome.
This is typical Honda. When they put out a new platform, the first car on it is a wild styling change. The second car on it is more conservative.
Accord in front, Crosstour in profile, and Kia Stinger rear.
I’m glad the fake grilles in the corners are more or less gone. Even on my TypeR, the only functional one is the one in front of the horn.
I’m not liking the trend toward mirrors which aren’t at the base of the A-pillar. Honda had gotten away from that with this Civic. Now I’m sure that as goes the Civic, so goes the Accord in this regard.
The rest of it looks good. Hopefully they bulk up the taillights a little. Not to the “lobster claw” degree of the Accord, but the ones in the renderings are a little on the small side. There’s always a few details left out of these renderings.
It looks like an Insight with a hatch, which is fine, since the Insight is better looking than the Civic and Accord anyway.
“The biggest difference upfront is a narrower grille combined with a larger lower front fascia, basically a flip-flop of the current car.”
I’m sure I speak for the whole class when I say “hallelujah”. I actually don’t mind the current model’s over the top styling, but am so tired of the gaping-maw grills on everything. May this be a harbinger of sanity returning.
Oh good, they eliminated those stupid fake plastic vents on the rear facia. And drastically reduced them in the front.
Much better, in fact the best-looking Civic in a long time.
It is less ugly for sure. The fake vents on the previous model were a crime.
You want a nice looking Civic? The Gen 7 (2001) was OK but the Gen 5 (1991) was as clean as it got. My personal fav is the Gen 3 (1983) because I owned one for years and loved it.
I really miss my 2000 Civic. Honda cleaned up the 1999/2000 Civic very well. I also drove some 92-95 Civics and enjoyed the exterior styling.
Yes, the Insight.
So. Many. Creases.
I like me some boring 4-door hatch with fold down seats that can handle a bicycle or two and weird shaped stuff from Home Depot. It needs that 2.0 non-turbo motor and a stick shift. I won’t get my wish. It will have the turbo and a rubber band transmission and I won’t be interested.
Exactly. Manual plus non-turbo motor would put this at the top of my list.
This is why compact/subcompact CUVs are the new hatchback. Stick shift unlikely, but you might find one with a non rubber band transmission.
Looks good. As long as they fix the oil dilution issue in the turbo engine, they should be ok.