Honda Civic FC gets a facelift for the 2019 model year

KUALA LUMPUR: The mid-life facelift of the popular Honda Civic FC has been revealed for the US market. The updated 2019 Civic gets a new Sport trim, cosmetic upgrade and Honda Sensing technology as standard across the range. The sedan and coupe counterparts have received a facelift while the Civic hatch hasn’t been touched as yet.

Talking about the front styling, the 2019 Civic replaces the chrome bar on the grille with a new piano black wing. The lower fascia has been restyled, with a full-width front splitter, chrome-garnished side pod accents, making it look wider than before. Honda has also updated the halogen and LED headlamps on the Civic FC facelift.

The rear profile, on the other hand, gets chrome lower down the bumper of the sedan. In the US, there are bigger 18-inch wheels on the Touring trim. The two-door and the four-door models get new wheel designs.

For low-budget buyers, Honda has introduced a new Sport trim positioned between the LX and EX models. At the front, the Sport trim gets piano black lower front fascia and side pod accents. The Sedan, on the other hand, gets a new integrated rear spoiler. At the back, the rear bumper gets a splitter-style look which is accentuated with a chrome exhaust tip just like the Civic Si. The 10-spoke 18-inch wheels complete the look of the sedan.

Powering the Sport trim is a 2.0-litre i-VTEC DOHC naturally aspirated engine, coupled to either a 6-speed manual or a CVT with G-Shift Control. An updated 7-inch Display Audio is also a part of the new Sport trim that is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

What’s exclusive about all Civics is that they will be offered with Honda Sensing technology as standard. The package includes features like Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keeping Assist System.

For the 2019 model year, Honda cars will be offered with Sensing Technology either as standard or optional. However, the company plans to make it standard in the US by the end of 2022.