Among my favourite Civic features is its two-tiered instrument package. Digital readouts join analog-style gauges to provide excellent legibility no matter the weather conditions, dark and dreary or the glare from bright sunshine. I like the topmost cluster, nestled in just under the windshield
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| Digital readouts join analog-style gauges to provide excellent legibility no matter the weather conditions. (Photo: Honda Canada) |
atop the dash. It acts like a HUD (head up display), which would project an image directly onto the lower part of the windshield in order to minimize time spent looking downward at primary gauges and maximize time spent with your eyes on the road. The top gauge cluster is equally effective, allowing for quick peripheral glances rather than distracting interruptions.
Another item that gets top marks in my books is the Civic coupe's highly functional centre stack, which is hardly a stack at all being that all of its components are positioned for optimal access, high on the centre dash. Its HVAC interface is wonderfully simplistic, as are the various controls that operate the audio system. All will be impressed with the high-end feel of all switchgear, whether
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| Honda has increased the interior dimensions of the new car, without adding too much to its overall footprint. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
attached to the centre stack or optional upgraded steering wheel, which includes buttons for audio and cruise functions, or for that matter attached to the steering wheel column. It's an impressive array of controls that give the Civic coupe an upscale ambience.
Those used to any of the old coupes will be happy Honda has increased the interior dimensions of the new car as well, without adding too much to its overall footprint. Now, there's significantly more head, shoulder, hip and legroom, enough so that I certainly felt no claustrophobia, even when strapped into one of the rear seats. Up front it's positively spacious, making me question exactly how much smaller it is, from a front passenger volume perspective, than the midsize Accord coupe.
