Amidst the 2014 City month in Malaysia where we've brought you a comprehensive launch report, spec-by-spec comparison gallery and a thorough drive preview of the Toyota Vios-beater, the 2014 Honda Civic facelift has been unveiled in Thailand. Called a minor model change (MMC) in Honda-speak, this previews the updated Civic that we will get here soon.
Look at the pictures, and you'll soon notice that 'minor' is the operative word here. It just looks so similar to the current model. Unless you're an existing owner of the ninth-generation Civic, you'd be hard pressed to notice the differences. Go ahead, compare it to the Malaysian-spec 2.0S and Hybrid models pictured below.
The most noticeable change is the new honeycomb front grille; now with the chrome element going under, instead of over the Honda logo. Other than that, the central air intake vent gains chrome highlights, and the alloy wheels have a new design. The sporty set of bodykit is new too, though it's unclear if Malaysian models will offer it.
Inside, there's a new seven-inch touchscreen head unit, which should replace the fast-ageing system in the current 2.0 Navi model. As in the new City, there's a HDMI port to pair your iPhone (5 and newer) to the dash-mounted colour display. The screen also also includes a multi-angle rear view camera like that found on the latest Accord.
Much like the outside, the rest of the cabin stays eerily similar to the one before. A notable upgrade is the availability of curtain airbags on the top 2.0 litre model, which brings the total up to six to match the new City, Ford Focus and Kia Cerato, but one less than the top-spec Toyota Corolla Altis (fitted with the optional Additional Safety Package).
There are no changes to the mechanical package, so the 141 PS/174 Nm 1.8 litre and 155 PS/190 Nm 2.0 litre SOHC i-VTEC engines soldier on, together with the same old trusty five-speed automatic transmissions. No CVT in the Civic yet, then. Now is that a blessing, or otherwise?
2014 Honda Civic facelift (Thai-spec)
2012-2013 Honda Civic 2.0S
2012-2013 Honda Civic Hybrid
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