LA Preview: 2013 Honda Civic Shows Off New Looks

News I By Brandon Turkus I November 14, 2012

The critical reception to the most recent Honda Civic has been, how should we say, negative? Okay, it’s been downright terrible. Honda’s signature small car has been thrashed by several publications (including this one).

It’s been so bad for the Civic that Honda has released a rushed refresh, with the promise that the new 2013 Civic will be the one we should have gotten in the first place.

We’ve gotten our first images of that new car. In short, it looks like a miniature Accord (not a bad thing by any stretch). It’s a handsome little car from the two angles that we’ve seen. However, there are no interior shots, so we’ll be forced to wait to see if the upgrades are more than just sheetmetal.

There’s no mention of what engines or powertrains will be available when the 2013 Civic makes its public debut on November 29, but we promise to get that information as soon as it’s available. Honda has some work to do with the Civic, but this styling refresh is a pretty good start.

Please scroll down for the official press release from Honda.

2013 Honda Civic to Debut at Los Angeles Auto Show With More Youthful and Premium Styling

2013 Civic styling honed to make the segment’s best-selling car even better

TORRANCE, Calif.

Honda today revealed the first look at the much-anticipated 2013 Honda Civic Sedan, in advance of its debut at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show on November 29. The refined styling of the 2013 Civic Sedan, which goes on sale at Honda dealerships on November 29, will encompass a host of safety, feature, comfort, chassis and interior styling enhancements that will further define the top-selling Civic as the best car in the compact class.

The more upscale and premium styling of the 2013 Civic Sedan’s front end includes a new open-mouth lower bumper with a horizontal chrome accent and a sportier, black honeycomb mesh grille, anchored by new integrated fog lights on upper trims. The grille is flanked by new clear-lens corner lights to provide a more premium look. The 2013 Civic’s more sculpted front end flows into a new, more deeply faceted hood, complemented by a collection of sharp new wheel designs.

In back, a new rear bumper design and new rear trunk lid are capped by a clean, horizontal chrome trim piece. The all-new design of the jewel-like taillights now carries into the trunk face, providing a more finished and upscale look. The rear bumper features integrated reflector treatments and a new lower diffuser panel finished with a honeycomb mesh vent.

"The 2013 Honda Civic exterior refinements infuse Civic with a more youthful, premium style. Coupling these with additional changes beneath will ensure that Civic maintains its top-ranked status," said Vicki Poponi, assistant vice president of product planning for American Honda.

Heading into 2013 with styling and content additions, the Civic’s fun-to-drive nature and core attributes of safety, spaciousness and fuel efficiency remain intact. As the compact segment’s retail sales leader, the Honda Civic continues as the benchmark for consumers looking for the smart purchase in a very competitive segment.

Full details of the 2013 Honda Civic will be revealed on Nov. 29 at 10:05 a.m. PST at the Los Angeles Auto Show. For photos showing the styling direction of the 2013 Civic, visit www.hondanews.com.