Honda Automobiles: 2016 Honda Civic Sedan Press Kit

Overview
The 2016 Civic Sedan utilizes the most sophisticated chassis design in model history, delivering quicker and more accurate steering, more responsive handling, and exceptional ride quality that exceeds the mainstream, compact-car class to challenge even luxury C-segment products.

Key suspension upgrades include a sophisticated new multi-link rear suspension and rigid rear subframe; fluid-filled suspension bushings that greatly enhance ride quality while providing robust isolation from road vibration; stabilizer bars with bonded bushing mounts for improved body control; dual-pinion, variable ratio Electric Power Steering (EPS) that enhances steering feel, performance and comfort; and a Straight Driving Assist feature that reduces steering effort when driving on a sloped or crowned road. Additional new Civic chassis features include Agile Handling Assist and an Electric Parking Brake (EPB) with Automatic Brake Hold.

Key Chassis Features

  • MacPherson strut front suspension
  • Multi-link rear suspension
  • Dual Pinion, Variable Ratio Electric Power Steering (EPS)*^
  • Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®)1 with Traction Control
  • 4-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)2 with Brake Assist
  • Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD)
  • Front and rear stabilizer bars
  • Fluid-filled suspension compliance bushings*
  • Straight Driving Assist
  • Agile Handling Assist*
  • Electric Parking Brake (EPB) with Automatic Brake Hold*

* First for Civic
^ First for Honda

Chassis Summary
All Models

  • MacPherson strut front suspension
  • Multi-link rear suspension
  • Front and rear stabilizer bars
  • Front fluid-filled suspension bushings
  • Power-assisted 4-wheel disc brakes
  • 4-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist
  • Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD)
  • Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®)1 with Traction Control
  • Agile Handling Assist
  • Dual Pinion Variable Ratio Electric Power-Assisted Rack-and-Pinion Steering (EPS)
  • Straight Driving Assist
  • Electric Parking Brake (EPB) with Automatic Brake Hold
  • Hill Start Assist
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)3

Civic LX Sedan

  • 16-inch steel wheels with 2-tone wheel covers
  • P215/55R16 all-season tires

Civic EX Sedan

  • 16-inch aluminum wheels with machined faces
  • P215/55R16 all-season tires

Civic EX-T, EX-L

  • 17-inch aluminum wheels with aerodynamic shape
  • P215/50R17 all-season tires
  • Rear fluid-filled suspension bushings

Touring Sedan

  • 17-inch aluminum wheels with cut flanges
  • P215/50R17 all-season tires
  • Rear fluid-filled suspension bushings

Front and Rear Suspension
The 2016 Civic suspension system provides agile and direct handling that puts the Civic at the top of its class, and in the league of benchmarked European luxury-class competitors. The system uses a combination of front MacPherson struts and an all-new rear multi-link with new rigid subframe. Using a strut-style front suspension improves the room available for crash reinforcement, and the multi-link rear suspension helps maximize second-row seating and cargo space – all while also providing outstanding handling characteristics and ride quality. Front and rear stabilizer bars on all trims improve turn-in response while reducing body roll during cornering. The stabilizer bars are bonded to their mounting bushings and use low-friction connecting links for smoother operation. The 2016 Civic has a 14mm (0.6 in) lower center of gravity, helping to improve both handling agility and rollover resistance.

MacPherson Strut Front Suspension
The MacPherson strut front suspension is engineered to provide engaging performance and a responsive feel for the driver. Performance-calibrated geometry ensures a high degree of quickness and precision, smoothness and stability. The lower suspension arms are connected to the subframe and to the body via fluid-filled bushings, which provide the ideal combination of handling responsiveness and precision, along with maximum isolation from road noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). All front suspension arms and the front hub carriers are steel, and all Civic Sedan trims use a tubular front stabilizer bar.

Multi-Link Rear Suspension
The multi-link rear suspension includes stamped-steel arms, cast aluminum hub carriers and a stabilizer bar. Mounted on a rigid subframe, a first for Civic, the new rear suspension provides agile handling, both during normal driving and in emergency maneuvers, together with a flat ride. The trailing arms are located on the unibody in fluid-filled bushings for exceptional control of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) while maintaining precise handling.  All Civic Sedan trims use a solid rear stabilizer bar for improved crisp turn-in and body roll control.

Hydraulic Suspension Bushings
In a first for Honda, the 2016 Civic suspension uses fluid-filled bushings to provide superior ride isolation as well as chassis vibration control. All Civic models utilize front fluid-filled bushings and the EX-T and above trims additionally use rear fluid-filled bushings. These bushings are specifically tuned to provide minimum vibration transfer to the occupants, raising the new Civic to the top of its class in noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) reduction.

In front, the lower control arms pivot in the fluid-filled bushing, which is designed to absorb road harshness and vibration while still retaining the exacting precision required for sharp, nimble handling. For the front suspension only, a specially ventilated under-cover allows airflow to cool the bushings, ensuring more consistent performance in all ambient temperature conditions, as well as enhanced long-term durability.

An additional duct, located near the middle of the aluminum front under-panel, cools the engine’s torque rod bushing, likewise reducing operating temperatures and ensuring longer performance.

Dual Pinion Variable Ratio Electric Power-Assisted Rack-and-Pinion Steering (EPS)
Another Civic first, the Electric Power Steering (EPS) incorporates dual pinion gears and a variable gear ratio for improved steering feel, performance and comfort that surpasses the class.

The dual pinion steering provides substantially improved feel compared to the previous-generation Civic. Compared to a traditional single-pinion steering system, the dual pinion EPS utilizes the physical steering input from the driver as well as from a supplemental electric motor. A non-contact torque sensor measures the driver’s steering effort and an ECU determines how much electric motor assist to add, with the result being a seamless, natural feeling steering in all situations.

The steering ratio is variable over a 17-percent range with a final full off-center rotation ratio of 10.93:1. This provides a quick 2.2 turns lock-to-lock compared to 3.1 turns lock-to-lock for the previous Civic, significantly reducing the steering effort when parking or maneuvering. Also contributing to the enhanced steering performance and feel of the 2016 Civic Sedan, the steering mount stiffness is higher, and the 30mm steering column diameter (up from 22mm on the previous generation Civic) also provides greater stiffness.

Straight Driving Assist
A new Honda technology, Straight Driving Assist reduces the steering effort required when driving on a sloped or crowned road. When the Straight Driving Assist system detects that steering effort is being applied to keep the car driving along a slope, the Electric Power Steering system applies motor assist. This reduces the muscle effort required to maintain the desired direction on the sloped road to the same level as is required on a flat road.

4-wheel Disc Brakes with ABS, EBD and Brake Assist
In a first for Civic, all trims are equipped with 4-wheel disc brakes. All systems incorporate 4-channel ABS, Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist as standard equipment. The system provides a comfortable and refined feel at low speeds, predictable and easy operation on the highway, a sporty, fun-to-drive feel on winding roads, and a reassuring high-performance stopping in emergency situations. Compared to the previous-generation, the 2016 Civic’s brakes require less pedal travel, provide a firmer pedal feel under normal conditions, and deliver greater efficiency.

The 4-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) independently modulates braking power at each wheel to help the driver retain steering control during heavy braking. The Brake Assist system recognizes emergency braking situations and almost instantly applies full braking force when appropriate to help shorten braking distance. (See the Safety and Driver Assistance section for more information.)

All 2016 Civic trims are equipped with 11.1-inch diameter ventilated front brake rotors (0.9-inch rotor thickness) clamped by single-piston brake calipers. The rear disc brakes incorporate 10.2-inch diameter solid rotors (0.4-inch rotor thickness) paired with single-piston brake calipers. The low-friction design of the brake calipers reduces energy losses when the brakes are not in use, directly improving fuel efficiency.

In another first for Civic, a 5-percent-larger master cylinder piston diameter (22.2mm vs. 20.6mm on the previous Civic) contributes to the short, firm pedal stroke and excellent feel, while also maintaining the power of the braking system.

Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with Traction Control
Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®)1 is an Electronic Stability Control system that works in conjunction with the Civic Sedan’s Drive-by-Wire™ throttle and its 4-channel ABS systems to enhance control capability while the vehicle is accelerating, braking, cornering or when the driver makes a sudden maneuver.

VSA also provides a limited-slip differential effect for the driving wheels by applying braking force to a slipping wheel, thereby redirecting driving force to the wheel with more traction. While the driver can reduce the traction control effectiveness allowing more wheel slip during stuck condition by pressing the VSA button, ABS remains fully operational at all times. (See the Safety and Driver Assistance section for more information.)

Agile Handling Assist
A Civic first and standard on all trims, Agile Handling Assist selectively uses the vehicle’s brakes to improve initial turning response and overall cornering ability. Agile Handling Assist utilizes brake vectoring to improve corner traceability and confident handling feel. By applying braking force to the inside wheels during cornering at high lateral G, the system creates a yaw moment, thus generating more turning force and reducing understeer.

Hill Start Assist
The Hill Start Assist function helps to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards when the driver switches from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal while the vehicle is stopped on a hill. Hill Start Assist automatically activates when the vehicle senses a certain incline and is fully stopped in any forward gear when facing up hill or reverse gear when facing downhill. The system uses a longitudinal G-sensor along with a wheel speed sensor to control the hydraulic brake modulator. Hill Start Assist, when activated, will release the brakes when the driver depresses the throttle or if the driver doesn’t press the accelerator after a few seconds.

Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
In a first for both the Honda Civic and its market segment, the standard Electric Parking Brake (EPB) is simpler, more convenient and comfortable to use than a traditional parking brake. The EPB also frees up center console space, allowing a higher console and an extended armrest length.

Engaging the parking brake now requires only a pull on a switch on the center console. To release the parking brake, the driver simply presses on the accelerator pedal (while the seatbelt is buckled) when the transmission is in Drive or Reverse, or else pushes on the parking brake switch while operating the brake pedal.

Besides promoting the use of the parking brake, EPB makes hill starts easier when the Civic is parked on a grade. As with a traditional manually activated parking brake, EPB functions on the rear wheels only. Electric servo actuators are integrated into the rear brake calipers. See the Comfort and Convenience section for more information.

Automatic Brake Hold
When activated, Automatic Brake Hold retains brake pressure when the vehicle comes to a stop such as at a traffic light or in heavy traffic. This frees the driver from continually pressing the brake pedal to maintain the vehicle in a stopped position, a significant improvement in driving enjoyment in difficult conditions.

Operating the system requires two simple actions from the driver:

  • Activating/deactivating the system via a switch on the center console
  • Pressing on the brake pedal until the vehicle comes to a stop

Once these steps are taken, Automatic Brake Hold will indicate engagement and then maintain brake pressure when the vehicle has come to a stop, even if the driver later releases the brake pedal. A green “Brake Hold” icon on the instrument panel illuminates to show that the system is functioning. The Civic then remains stopped – even on a hill – until the driver presses the accelerator pedal. At this point Automatic Brake Hold releases the brakes and the vehicle resumes normal braking function.

Wheels and Tires
The Civic Sedan LX rides on P215/55R16 tires mounted to 16×7.0-inch steel wheels with full covers, while EX trims are equipped with 16×7.0-inch alloy wheels. The tires are 20mm wider, and the wheels are one inch larger in diameter and 1.0-inch wider, than the previous Civic LX and EX models. Civic Sedan EX-T, EX-L and Touring trims use P215/50R17 tires and 17×7.0-inch aluminum wheels. All tires carry an all-season M+S rating, making them suitable for year-round use in all weather and conditions.

All Civic Sedan models come with either Hankook Kinergy GT (Civic LX) or Firestone FT140 (EX and above) tires as standard equipment. Developed cooperatively with Honda engineers and the tire companies, despite being wider, the tires help reduce rolling resistance by 10-percent while also helping to reduce noise and vibration, improving both fuel efficiency and ride quality in the process. The tires contribute to the Civic’s best-in-class rolling resistance performance. They also help reduce unsprung weight by 6.6 pounds, allowing the engineers greater control of suspension tuning, which further improves ride and handling characteristics. See the following page for wheel designs.

The 2016 Civic Sedan’s wheel and tire sizes include:

Civic LX Sedan

  • 16-inch steel wheels with full wheel covers
  • P215/55R16 all-season tires

Civic EX Sedan

  • 16-inch alloy wheels
  • P215/55R16 all-season tires

Civic EX-T and EX-L Sedan

  • 17-inch alloy wheels
  • P215/50R17 all-season tires

Touring Sedan

  • Unique 17-inch alloy wheels
  • P215/50R17 all-season tires

Wheel Designs

Space-Saving Spare Tire
For all new Civic models, the spare tire is a T125/80D16 space- and weight-saving temporary unit that is mounted under a carpeted floor in the trunk.

Low-Friction Wheel Bearings
For 2016, the wheel hubs in all models feature new low-friction bearings that measurably reduces rolling resistance, which directly contributes to the improved fuel-efficiency for all models.

Exhaust
The Civic LX and EX trims use a single exhaust system for light weight and simplicity. Applied to a Civic for the first time, dual exhaust outlets provide the Civic in EX-T and above trims higher power output for the turbocharged engine. Additionally, in another Civic first, all trims incorporate an exhaust flex tube that directly reduces noise and vibration. The silencer is also aerodynamically shaped, another Civic first, to help improve airflow underneath the vehicle, helping to improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and further reduce air turbulence-inducing noise at highway speeds. See the Powertrain section for more information.

Fuel Tank
The 12.4-gallon fuel tank and fuel lines are molded of high-density polyethylene for low weight, freedom from corrosion, impact resistance and fuel vapor losses. The tank and filler pipe are formed as a single unit, reducing weight and complexity, while further improving safety in the event of a collision. Additionally, the tank is positioned ahead of the rear wheels to help guard against collision damage. A high-efficiency fuel pump is housed inside the tank, and the fuel filter is a lifetime design that never needs replacement. An integrated baffle system positioned inside the tank reduces the sound of fuel sloshing.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
The 2016 Civic uses an indirect Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)3 that is lighter and simpler than previous systems. Instead of using sensors mounted on each wheel to monitor tire pressures, indirect TMPS uses the existing ABS wheel-speed sensors to continually monitor the rotational speed of each wheel. Because a tire with low pressure rotates more quickly than one with a higher pressure, by comparing these values with a specifically designed computer algorithm, indirect TPMS can determine when a tire is low on pressure. This information is delivered to the driver in the form of a warning symbol on the instrument panel. Special logic included in the TPMS processor is designed to eliminate false warnings.

Chassis Features

(See the Specifications and Features section for all data.)

1 VSA is not a substitute for safe driving. It cannot correct the vehicle’s course in every situation or compensate for reckless driving. Control of the vehicle always remains with the driver.

2 The ABS does not reduce the time or distance it takes to stop the vehicle. It only helps with steering control during hard braking. Always drive appropriately for the conditions.

3 For optimal tire wear and performance, tire pressure should be checked regularly with a gauge. Do not rely solely on the monitor system. Please see your Honda dealer for details.