Friday, February 7, 2014 Richmond Review · Page 17

drivewayBC.ca | Welcome to the driver’s seat drivewayBC.ca | Welcome to the driver’s seat

From rather ordinary to rather extraordinaryTampa, Florida – Being the best at something is an achievement, and doing it repeatedly is impressive. The Honda Civic’s 16-year streak as the best selling passenger car in Canada is nothing short of astounding. For the introduction the 2014 Civic, Honda chose usually sunny and hot Tampa, to introduce their latest update. It was sunny but anything from hot, with overnight temperatures near freezing. Honda has been improving the Civic continuously since the 7th generation model was introduced as a 2012 mod-el. Last year, for 2013, they updated the styling, handling and interior of the 2013 model and now for 2014 they are at it again.

LooksThe styling focus for 2014 is on the coupe. Roughly 15 per cent of all Civics are sold as a coupe, the most dominant player in the small coupe market. Last year, this sedan received updates to the front and rear styling to help make it look more upscale and sophisticated, and this year the coupe gets a similar update to the front and back, but the changes are meant to provide a sporti-er look with a bit more aggression. The most aggressive version of both

the sedan and coupe is the SI model that gets an even more forceful grille and front bumper design plus a rear spoiler and lower air diffuser. Wheel sizes have also changed with the regular coupe receiving 16-inch wheels, up from 15-inches, and the SI now bumps the size from 17-inches to 18-inches.

InsideOne of the reasons that the Civic is the best selling car in Canada is the practical, yet sporty interior in both the sedan and coupe. Many people, including me, didn’t initially like the split dash with the speedometer on the top and the ta-chometer on the bottom, but over time this design has proven to be a winner. I was wrong. The split design now incorporates more information to see without having to take your eyes off the road. The trip computer and other functions like radio station information are just below the front window. In

addition, the front seats are very supportive and the steering wheel is low and small for a racy feel. What is new for both the sedan and this coupe is the introduc-tion of Display Audio system that is available on the EX and Touring models. This is a large iPad-like touch-screen design that lets the driver access many functions from the radio to apps that piggyback off your iPhone. (No Android apps yet but they are working on this.) This taps into the power of your phone, in the big screen, with full

integration. I liked the speed and func-tion of the design but really missed a rotary dial to adjust the volume over a touch screen volume design. Yes, there is a volume control on the steering wheel but one next to the radio would complete the package.

DriveHonda has made one small change and one big change to help with fuel economy. The small one is the exhaust system has been adjusted in both the sedan and coupe to let the engine breath better, improving horsepower slightly from 140hp to 143hp. The big change is the introduction of an in-house continuously variable transmis-sion (CVT), replacing the old 5-speed automatic. This actually makes this little car more drivable and might be the best CVT on the market. The car snaps away from a stop and cruises with ease on the highway, with quick changes

in the gear ratio that helps mimic a conventional automatic design. In addition, there is a sport mode and paddle shifters on the steering wheel to help liven things up. Honda has done a first rate job here and their efforts have been rewarded with a six per cent improvement in city fuel economy and an overall drop from 6.2L/100km combined to 6.0L, something very hard to do with such a small car. The driving dynamics of the Civic has always been very good due to a fully independent suspension and willing engine. The 143hp is a nice match for this car and the CVT is a great comple-ment. The 5-speed manual is a blast to drive but it could use a 6th gear on the highway, as the high-revving engine can get noisy. The steering is crisp and the car overall instills a high level of confidence.

VerdictHonda admits that their Civic might not be the top choice in every reason to buy a compact car but they are near the top in all categories. From fuel economy to reliability, resale value, cost of ownership and sportiness this car is a good choice. The many improvements made to the car over the past three-model-years, has taken the Civic from rather ordinary to rather extraordinary. They know how to make a good, solid, reliable car and for 2014t hings just got a little bit more interesting.

The LowdownPower: 1.8L 4-cylinder with 143hp or 2.4L with 205hpFill-up: 6.7L/5.0L/100km (city/highway) Sticker price: $15,690-$26,655

zack.spencer@drivewaybc.ca

Visit the 2014 Honda Civic gallery at DrivewayBC.ca

Safety Tip:B.C.’s Family Day offers many of us the fi rst chance of taking a long weekend away. If you’re taking a road trip with your family, it’s a good idea to plan your rest stops ahead of time to avoid feeling fatigued behind the

wheel and to give the kids a chance to burn off their energy.

QuestionOF THE WEEK:

Should all new drivers be required to take a course with a driving school before taking a road test?Please explain why you have made that decision.

OF THE WEEK!

?QUESTION

Go to drivewayBC.ca to submit your answer.

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drivewayBC.ca

‘‘ From fuel economy to reliability, resale value, cost of ownership and sportiness the 2014 Honda Civic is a good choice’’Zack Spencer

Honda knows how to make a good, solid car—and for

2014—things just got a little more interesting.

Zack Spencer

Page 18 · Richmond Review Friday, February 7, 2014

PAPER TO INSERT DEALER TAG HERE

TMThe Hyundai names, logos, product names, feature names, images and slogans are trademarks owned by Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. †Leasing offers available O.A.C. from Hyundai Financial Services based on a new 2014 Santa Fe Sport 2.4L FWD/Accent 4-Door L/Tucson 2.0L GL FWD MT with an annual lease rate of 3.90%/0.90%/2.90%. Bi-weekly lease payment of $158/$82/$128 for a 60 month walk-away lease. Down Payment of $2,495/$0/$1,895 and first monthly payment required. Total lease obligation is $23,035/$10,660/$18,535. Lease offers include Delivery and Destination of $1,760/$1,550/$1,760. Registration, insurance, PPSA, fees, levies, charges, license fees and all applicable taxes are excluded. $0 security deposit on all models. 20,000 kmallowance per year applies. Additional charge of $0.12/km on all models except Genesis Sedan and Equus where additional charge is $0.25/km. Delivery and Destination charge includes freight, P.D.E., dealer admin fees and a full tank of gas. Lease a new 2014 Accent 4 Dr L and you’ll be entitled to a $225 dealer to customer lease credit. Dealer to customer lease credit applies before taxes. Offer cannot be combined or used in conjunction with any other available offers. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be assigned. No vehicle trade-in required.

Price of models shown: 2013 Elantra Limited is $24,985. Prices include Delivery and Destination charges of $1,550. Registration, insurance, PPSA, fees, levies, charges, license fees and all applicable taxes are excluded. Fuel consumption for new 2014 Santa Fe Sport 2.4L FWD (HWY 7.3L/100KM; City10.2.L/100KM), Accent 4-Door L (HWY 5.3L/100KM; City 7.5L/100KM)/Tucson 2.0L GL FWD MT (HWY 7.2L/100KM; City 10.0L/100KM) are based on Manufacturer Testing. Actual fuel efficiency may vary based on driving conditions and the addition of certain vehicle accessories. Fuel economy figures are used for comparison purposes only. ΩPrice adjustments are calculated against the vehicle’s starting price. Price adjustments of up to $5,000 /$4,540 available on 2013 Sonata Hybrid/ 2013 Elantra L 6-Speed Manual. Price adjustments applied before taxes. Offer cannot be combined or used in conjunction with any other available offers. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be assigned. No vehicle trade-in required. †Ω Offers available for a limited time, and subject to change or cancellation without notice. See dealer for complete details. Dealer may sell for less. Inventory is limited, dealer order may be required. ††Hyundai’s Comprehensive Limited Warranty coverage covers most vehicle components against defects in workmanship under normal use and maintenance conditions.

HyundaiCanada.com

5-year/100,000 km Comprehensive Limited Warranty††

5-year/100,000 km Powertrain Warranty5-year/100,000 km Emission Warranty

HWY: 7.3L/100 KM CITY: 10.2L/100 KM

Limited model shownLimited model shownGLS model shown

HWY: 7.2L/100 KM CITY: 10.0L/100 KM

HWY: 5.2L/100 KM CITY: 7.1L/100 KM

HWY: 5.3L/100 KM CITY: 7.5L/100 KM

TUCSONGL2014

SANTA FESPORT 2.4L FWD

2014

HEATED FRONT SEATS AM/FM/XM™/CD/MP3 6-SPEAKER AUDIOSYSTEM W/ AUX/USB JACKS BLUETOOTH® HANDS-FREE PHONE SYSTEM

STABILITY MANAGEMENT WITH ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL

1.6L GASOLINE DIRECT INJECTION ENGINE AM/FM/CD/MP3/USB/IPOD AUDIO SYSTEM POWER DOOR LOCKS FRONT, SIDE AND CURTAIN AIRBAGS

HEATED FRONT SEATS EZ LANE CHANGE ASSIST IPOD/USB/MP3 AUXILARY INPUT JACKS INTEGRATED BLUETOOTH® HANDS-FREE PHONE SYSTEM LED HEADLIGHT ACCENT W/ LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS

ACCENT4-DR L 2014

$158BI-WEEKLY WITH $2,495 DOWN

3.9%†

FOR 60 MONTHS

AT

5 YEAR LEASE

THE HYUNDAI ADVANTAGE5 YEARLEASE

††

THE HYUNDAI ADVANTAGE5 YEARLEASE

††

THE HYUNDAI ADVANTAGE5 YEARLEASE

††

$82BI-WEEKLY

0.9%† FOR 60 MONTHS

AT

$0 DOWN

WITH

5 YEAR LEASE

$128BI-WEEKLY WITH $1,895 DOWN

2.9%† FOR 60 MONTHS

AT

5 YEAR LEASE

2014’S WITH BI-WEEKLY LEASING

$5,000GET UP TO IN PRICE ADJUSTMENTSΩ ON SELECT 2013 MODELS(AMOUNT SHOWN ON 2013 SONATA HYBRID)

OWN IT FOR

$12,995ELANTRAL 2013

††

Limited model shown

ALL-IN PRICINGINCLUDES PRICE ADJUSTMENTSΩ,

DELIVERY & DESTINATION.

TM

5 YEAR COMPREHENSIVE WARRANTY†† 5 YEAR LEASING WITH BI-WEEKLY PAYMENTS 5 YEAR 0% FINANCING AVAILABLE

ON SELECT MODELS

OpenRoad Hyundai

13171 Smallwood PlaceRichmond, 604-606-9033

D#28516

OpenRoad Hyundai13171 Smallwood Place, Richmond, 604-606-9033