USED: The Re-tooled 2019 Honda Civic Made Me Feel Like a Kid Again!
Penny OnTheGoOC
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It’s official… I’m 22 again driving my Honda Civic on the SoCal coast.
Okay not really, but I sure felt like it when I was behind the wheel of the 2019 Honda Civic.
A lot has been upgraded to the Honda Civic and I have to say I am still a major fan. Thank you to Honda for your invite, hospitality and trust cruising the windy roads of Pepperdine University and beyond.
Honda Civic 2019 at Pepperdine University Drive Route
There’s a history here with the Civic…
Let me take you back to my college years where my love for the Civic began. From 1998 to 2001 my 1998 Civic commuted from the dorms to Orange County often.
We cruised California sunsets and she held just the right amount of “my girls” in the back with my bestie shotgun. Am I taking anyone back yet? My silver Civic was the best.
After college, my silver Civic became a show car. I was the only girl in my car club, Konfidential – hey, the guys picked the name – I just loved being part of a car enthusiasts group that wasn’t street racing. We were into nonprofit work with our work-in-progress show cars.
Within months my Civic was flashy, dashy and doing non-profit car drives like Children’s Hospital of Orange County Toy Drives. Those were some of the best moments with that Civic ever.
Brace yourselves for a blast from the past with this photo. It was dug up from 2003 of my 1998 Civic. I Loved her so much!
Related: Feel a need for a bit more speed? See what the Honda Type R is all about!
1998 Honda Civic – Where the love began.
It was the car I met my husband in and the Civic to this day has always been my favorite drive.
The Civic holds a special place in my heart so when I was invited by A Girls Guide To Cars to explore the roads of Malibu with Honda in the 2019 Civic I screamed with extreme excitement!
I was so curious to see what had changed, if the Civic was still great for a starter car, commuter car and of course cost friendly daily car.
After listening to Honda mastermind experts speak about the updates, safety, new additions and nostalgia the Civic has, I was over the moon excited to drive it again.
Related: This is why you love Honda: Meet Lara Harrington
Honda Civic 2019 Coupe Touring
Trifecta of a Civic Series 10 Win…
During my test drive I felt there were three aspects that stand about the 2019 Honda Civic. These features are why I feel the Civic is still so awesome:
* Honda Sensing suite of safety features, which are included standard: crash prevention, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and traffic sign recognition
* Upgraded tech accessories including Apple CarPlay, an updated touch screen and controls on the steering wheel
* More comfort and practicality (from a mom of two who used to be a 22-year-old Civic owner)
There are a lot of features that are redesigned and or new for 2019. I gravitate towards style and I love a sporty look. New for 2019, the Honda Civic, updated it’s styling with an objective to “make it more sporty.” What stood out most to me was a new gloss black grill, wider lower bumper, Honda Sensing safety features, chrome fog lights and a revised rear bumper on the sedan. All of this adds up to a fresh look and feel since the last updates in 2016.
This is the tenth generation Civic and Honda has given it a low, aggressive stance to add more of a performance feel. Then, Honda built it on an all new platform which added two inches of rear legroom space and details like larger cup holders, an updated display, updated climate controls, reconfigured steering wheel controls, Honda sensing, and a choice of two new engines – the 2.0 VTECH with 158 horsepower or my favorite, the 1.5 liter turbo with 174 horsepower! Despite the added engine power in the turbo, I noticed that on the drive the road noise was much less than I remember in my Civic. Win!
I loved driving the two-door coupe but was able to sit in the four door model as well and really did not notice much difference in the space in the front seat. So really, it’s more the preference of two doors or four. I asked and there is a slight difference in the mileage from the coupe to the sedan but not really, maybe 1 mile per gallon on the base manual transmission. So to me, that didn’t make much a difference, what does … is the style and the comfort of two or four doors. Also, there is about 1 inch less headroom overall in the coupe versus the sedan due to their body styles. Both the sedan and coupe offer excellent cargo space, too.
Updates that make life easier are always welcome too. Thank you, Honda, for putting the effort and time into technology and user-friendly needs. There is an easier Bluetooth pairing, improved Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, updated cruise and volume controls and of course, an easier-to-access USB input.
Since its 1973 launch, the Honda Civic has sold more than 11 million units in the United States and continues to capture most first-time car buyers.
More on all the details of the Civic at Honda here.
Related: This fuel efficient beauty just might be the key to the future: The Honda Insight
Honda Civic Interior With View of Malibu Coast
But What About the Drive…?
I really liked this car. Then I drove it. Both behind the wheel and in the passenger seat, the Civic rocked.
Both my drive partner, Nate, and I agreed that the seats are at a new comfort level from Civic’s past. Being in the Civic for about two hours gave us the opportunity to sit for a while with various twists to the road.
I drove first and immediately felt the smooth ride, easy handling at the wheel and nice pick up in acceleration. I just *might* have a wild side that loves to take tight turns and enjoy a rush of adrenaline.
We drove through Malibu Canyon and Mulholland Drive and I loved how the Civic took turns tightly and felt sturdy on the winding road.
Once I was a passenger it was another level of fun. Nate drove and I was able to explore the interior, navigation, and radio a bit.
Navigation Map – Easy To Use
It’s easy to see why the Civic is still the most popular car among first-time buyers
I was able to do a quick count of 6 cup holders and storage cubbies in the center console and door panels. Mom life makes me think of these things.
Also, I confirmed that 2 two full-size car seats fit in the back seat of the Honda Civic; they’d be easier to install in the four-door version than the two-door model, of course. I often get asked about car seats so I figured I would ask, too.
The interior is classy fun and has a youthful feel while still comfy. Nate sat in the back, and at six foot one, he fit with camera in hand, too.
Driving the two-door coupe Touring edition was so exciting. It was a burst of energy upgraded from my ’98 Civic, even after I added a kick boost to it with aftermarket parts.
There is so much that the Honda Civic now comes standard with. It impressed me with the bells and whistles at such an affordable price point.
With my Civic I added sound, navigation, low profile trim, rims, bigger tires and more… and all these I just listed? They come standard now with the Sport Trim! I know!!!
Still, Love the Honda Civic 20 plus years later.
I loved driving around windows down, fresh air alongside the coast. It reminded me of how much I love spending time in my car and need to enjoy the scenery more often too. I may not be 22 anymore but the Civic sure took me back.
What Sounds Really Great in the Honda Civic
Yes, this car took me back. But the modern sound system is build for all the good stuff. This is what sounded really good in the Honda Civic.
Disclosure: I was Honda’s guest for this test drive; all opinions are my own.
