10th Gen Honda Civic redefines compact car segment

 

With unprecedented accolades coming from the automotive press and consumers alike, the reinvented Honda Civic lineup is on course for a record sales year — not an insignificant accomplishment in a rather good field of domestic and import car contenders. In effect, the 10th generation Honda Civic redefines the compact car segment. and, what buyers anticipates as to performance, standard features and comfort, in what was at one time the bare bones introduction to car ownership.

At this point I’ve driven the entire Honda lineup with the exception of the Civic Si variant and the legendary Civic Type-R — that will most likely happen for me sometime in early 2017. In the meantime, read my latest initial drive and ride experience behind the wheel of what I consider to be Honda’s most refined Civic to date.

Honda’s reinvented 10th generation Civic world car 

With very few bumps encountered along the road to segment supremacy, American Honda Motor Company is on track to a record sales year for 2016. While Accord and the reinvented Civic continue to dominate the non-fleet midsize and compact sedan. 

CR-V crossover and the surprisingly well selling subcompact HR-V 5-door hatchback drives Honda’s light truck segment sales, with Honda Pilot and the reinvented 2nd generation Ridgeline pickup exceeding projected sales targets for the big “H.”

Monday morning found yet another accolade placed in the 3rd row of this vehicle. Congratulations Honda!

2017 Honda Pilot named ‘Best 3-Row SUV’ by Cars.com

 

Looking to Monday morning Honda News: According to our friends at Cars.com 2017 Honda Pilot tops the 3-row SUV segment in standard feature value, comfort, fuel efficiency and ‘real-world’ MPG — when compared to a rather good field of competitors.  You may read my latest drive review of the reinvented Honda Pilot here.

Read how Cars.com assesses the reinvented Honda Pilot

After extensive testing in the Cars.com “Three-Row SUV Challenge,” the completely redesigned 2016 Honda Pilots named the best midsize SUV of 2016 and the overall Challenge winner. Testing, which included expert evaluation on a set course, a 170-mile drive to determine real-world MPG, and driving by an in-market family, revealed Pilot as the clear leader within its segment.

Recognized for its interior space, versatility and utility with comfortable seating for up to eight passengers, the Pilot is now also available with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ functionality. To read more about the awards, visit www.Cars.com

What I like about 2017 Honda Pilot

For 2017, Honda refined Pilot’s ride and drive experience while increasing horsepower and torque to segment leading levels. Absent is the harsh ride tendencies associated with pick-up-truck based SUV s. Thanks to Pilot’s shared Oddysey and Ridgeline’s unibody manufacturing platform, primary front-wheel-drive, i-VTEC V6 power and Pilot’s optional 9-speed automatic transmission with electronic drive-mode selection,  Pilot presents a much improved all-weather, variable road surface traction, and much more.

Family friendly, work ready

No worries: Although Honda has measurably refined Pilot’s interior layout and finish while increasing seating capacity and behind row-3 cargo room, Pilot remains a financially attainable crossover/SUV package for discerning buyers looking to Honda for exceptional initial purchase and ownership value. * MSRP from $30,950 FWD LX to $47,070 Elite AWD. MPG: 27 Highway/19 City.

In the dirt 

Yes, Honda Pilot is surprisingly good off-road. Check out my Texas experience here.