My friend's wife has had this Civic as a loaner for over two months while her CRV sits waiting for safe airbags. I'm a Honda guy and like the new Civic from a look at it/sit in it point of view. I drove it and wanted to turn around pretty quickly. Any good qualities the Civic has are overshadowed by the absolutely ****ing awful CVT transmission. It rode well, handled well, stopped well, and the materials and layout are good. But this CVT seems to lessen the quality of just about all forms of driving, except sitting in traffic. And as I found out, it also gives the impression to non car people that there is something wrong with the car when you accelerate hard.
IT didn't feel like it was moving quickly while screaming steadily at 6000+ rpms. A regular AT would probably walk this CVT car. I realize that acceleration isn't everything but mannerisms are important and driving dynamics are too, more than the .4 mpg they probably saved vs a 6 speed auto. Having to explain what is going on to passengers when you go for passing gear is ridiculous. Subaru had enough common sense to build in the feeling of gears with their CVT. Honda ruined a great car with this transmission.
IT didn't feel like it was moving quickly while screaming steadily at 6000+ rpms. A regular AT would probably walk this CVT car. I realize that acceleration isn't everything but mannerisms are important and driving dynamics are too, more than the .4 mpg they probably saved vs a 6 speed auto. Having to explain what is going on to passengers when you go for passing gear is ridiculous. Subaru had enough common sense to build in the feeling of gears with their CVT. Honda ruined a great car with this transmission.
