There are a lot of options in the
Civic range these days, even before you count the forthcoming
Si and
Type R models. You want
a coupe,
a hatchback, or
a sedan that looks a lot like the hatchback? Manual or CVT automatic? Naturally aspirated 2.0-liter or turbocharged 1.5? We recently had some time in a pair of Civic coupes that represent the top and bottom of the Civic spectrum, the base LX model and filled-to-the-brim Touring. They happened to wear the
colors from the Surge logo (for those who don't remember, that's the fully loaded citrus soda with carbos). So I grabbed a can.
After getting over-caffeinated, I hopped into both cars to argue (with myself) about the pluses and minuses of the two. The LX is only available with a manual and the 2.0-liter, and the Touring comes solely with the CVT and 1.5 turbo. One is bare-bones and the other is loaded with features.
And yes, before you ask, things get a little more complicated for 2017, since you can now get the 1.5-liter turbo four with a manual on the coupe's mid-range EX-T trim level; the turbo engine is available on the sedan as well and standard on hatches. But the cars here still represent the bookends of the Civic coupe range, and the Civic lineup in general.
What did I learn? It turns out "carbos" was just code for "sugar" in the Surge slogan. You should watch the video above for my thoughts on which Civic is right for which buyer.
After getting over-caffeinated, I hopped into both cars to argue (with myself) about the pluses and minuses of the two. The LX is only available with a manual and the 2.0-liter, and the Touring comes solely with the CVT and 1.5 turbo. One is bare-bones and the other is loaded with features.
And yes, before you ask, things get a little more complicated for 2017, since you can now get the 1.5-liter turbo four with a manual on the coupe's mid-range EX-T trim level; the turbo engine is available on the sedan as well and standard on hatches. But the cars here still represent the bookends of the Civic coupe range, and the Civic lineup in general.
What did I learn? It turns out "carbos" was just code for "sugar" in the Surge slogan. You should watch the video above for my thoughts on which Civic is right for which buyer.
