Despite the downward trend, the Civic was the eighth-best-selling vehicle in the U.S. last year, according to Cox Automotive, which owns Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader. It trailed, in order, the Ford F-series, Chevrolet Silverado, Ram pickup, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Toyota Camry and Chevrolet Equinox.
With fuel efficiency gains and a simplified interior, Honda is aiming to regenerate interest in a nameplate that debuted to Americans in 1973. The new Civic goes on sale this summer.
“Civic has been the go-to choice for compact car buyers for almost 50 years and the all-new 11th-generation Honda Civic builds on that leadership with simple and sporty styling inside and out, best-in-class features and class-leading performance,” said Dave Gardner, executive vice president of national operations for American Honda Motor, in a statement.