The 2016 Honda Civic offers two strong I-4 engine options: A 2.0L i-VTEC I-4 and a more powerful turbocharged 1.5-liter I-4. Both engines are great, but the 1.5-liter is arguably superior in every way.
Key Points
- Equipped with the base engine, the 2016 Honda Civic delivers ample power and torque for normal driving but has a recall for an engine component.
- The 2016 Civic’s 1.5-liter turbocharged engine combines great fuel economy and fun performance.
- These engines are pretty reliable and should last more than 200,000 miles without major issue.
- Superior fuel economy and performance from the 2016 Honda Civic’s 1.5L engine arguably make it the better choice.
- According to Kelley Blue Book, the typical listing price for a 1.5-liter Civic Touring is $833 less than a used 2016 2.0-liter Civic LX.
2.0L Base Engine Delivers Adequate Power for Everyday Driving but has an Engine Component Recall
The 2016 Honda Civic offers two strong inline-four engine options that include a 2.0L i-VTEC inline-four and a more powerful turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four. Both engines are great, but the 1.5-liter is arguably superior in every way.
The 2.0-liter engine is available on the LX and EX trims. At a mere 158 horsepower and 138 lb.-ft. of torque, the base engine for the 2016 Honda Civic is not exactly a powerhouse. In fact, it goes from zero to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds. While those are not exactly stunning performance numbers, on the plus side it is a second faster than the 2016 Toyota Corolla S Plus. That is plenty of power suitable for acceptable everyday driving. Just be aware that it will have to work harder than the 1.5-liter engine when overtaking on the highway.
When paired with the CVT transmission, the 2016 Honda Civic with the base engine gets 30 mpg in the city and 40 highway. Alternatively, with the six-speed manual-equipped, it puts up 27 mpg city and 38 mpg city.
In terms of problems, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received 68 complaints for both engines. That number does raise some concern, but a majority of those complaints are in relation to the air conditioning compressor going out. However, there is also a common complaint that the motor mounts tend to wear out fast. If you notice excessive engine vibrations and noise throughout the cabin, it is likely a sign of this problem.
As for recalls, the 2.0-liter engine received a serious one over an incorrectly installed piston wrist pin circlip, which can lead to damage to the engine cylinder and cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash or a fire.
1.5-liter Turbocharged I-4 Brings Solid Combination of Good Fuel Economy and Dynamic Driving Performance
Available only on the EX-T to the top-of-the-line Touring trim, the 1.5-liter engine brings upgrades in pretty much every department. Its 174 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft. of torque bring the 1.5-liter 2016 Civics from zero to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds. That seven-tenths of a second may not seem like much, but it makes a world of difference.
Performance is an area that the 1.5-liter engine succeeds where the 2.0-liter struggles. Edmunds enjoyed the 1.5L engine in their review of the 2016 Civic, saying “acceleration is spirited, and the turbo Civic keeps pulling at highway speeds like a more expensive car.”
Unlike other vehicles where a more powerful engine sacrifices fuel economy, the 1.5-liter engine is actually more efficient than the base engine. This motor in combination with the CVT transmission gets 31 mpg in the city and an impressive 42 mpg highway.
Lastly, this engine has no recalls issued to it by the NHTSA.
Both Engines are Reliable and with Regular Maintenance, They Should Last to Over 200,000 Miles
Both the 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter 2016 Honda Civic engines are pretty reliable. Thanks to that reliability and longevity, the frequency and severity of repairs is very low according to Repair Pal. This is because this vehicle’s engines still have a lot of Honda’s same famed and highly regarded engineering that has been around for over 20 years.
The 2016 Honda Civic has an extensive amount of positive owner reviews regarding reliability on its Vehicle History page. Considering this and the fact that the majority of this vehicle’s reliability comes from its engines, it can surely last more than 200,000 miles with regular maintenance.
2016 Honda Civic’s Turbocharged 1.5L I-4’s Decent Fuel Economy, Dynamic Performance, and Cheaper Price Make it the Better Choice
The 2016 Honda Civic’s base engine is perfectly fine, but when directly compared to the 1.5-liter engine, it raises an important question. What does one actually gain by choosing it over the more powerful engine? In our opinion, nothing. In fact, buyers won’t actually save money by getting the base engine.
Thanks to depreciation, a used 1.5L 2016 Civic Touring’s typical listing price is $833 cheaper than a used 2.0L 2016 Honda Civic LX. Yes, the top trim is almost a grand cheaper than the base model.
With that $833 margin, buyers are getting a faster, more fuel-efficient, and more luxurious 2016 Civic package. That is a bargain that we highly suggest taking advantage of.
Photos: Honda
