[Smartie]

While not giving us much John Mendel did hype the interior specifically...

He wouldn’t comment on how much of a diet the new car has undergone, but did tout its sportiness and a return to what Honda fans remember, while also commenting that when it comes to the interior, “you’re going to be blown away.”

 

[Civil]

It would be very cool to see an interior that is going to "blow us away."Sometimes on cars like this I feel like the interior isn't given as much attention because it ends up being more about the performance and function. A few nice design details and innovations with the interior would be a welcome surprise.

 

[5TAR]

It would be very cool to see an interior that is going to "blow us away."Sometimes on cars like this I feel like the interior isn't given as much attention because it ends up being more about the performance and function. A few nice design details and innovations with the interior would be a welcome surprise.

But as a consumer in this market with how much you're spending, you can't expect much, there are far more important things to worry about. A nice interior is a bonus here.

 

[Civil]

But as a consumer in this market with how much you're spending, you can't expect much, there are far more important things to worry about. A nice interior is a bonus here.

If they wanted us to temper our expectations then they wouldn't tell people that they will be "blown away." Usually you can't expect much, but that is why I am excited given what Honda is saying.

 

[RobbJK88]

I drew a picture of what i'd guess we could expect somewhat. I borrowed heavily from the HRV and added the S660 gauge cluster. Be nice, drawing car interiors with perspective is tough. lol.

 

[CanGuy]

Love the drawing @RobbJK88

Looks like you got rid of the two tier dash, which is a move I appreciate. Given that Honda has been really hyping the interior, what surprises and main selling ponts do you think Honda is going to include?

Here I included a picture of the HRV interior and the S660 gauge cluster just to give more explanation of what you are going for in your sketch.

 

[AlwaysHitVTEC]

@RobbJK88, that sketch is awesome! I wish I had skills like yours.


I'm hoping to see a stitched-leather center console, like what's available in the HR-V:

 

[Smartie]

You know, Civic and Accord are expected to become linked at the hip from now on, anyone entertaining the possibility that the Civic interior may begin to lean more towards the Accord then the more spartan HRV/FIT?

 

[RobbJK88]

You know, Civic and Accord are expected to become linked at the hip from now on, anyone entertaining the possibility that the Civic interior may begin to lean more towards the Accord then the more spartan HRV/FIT?

That's a fair guess. The civics have always leaned more accord like with each new generation, and then the accord jumps ahead again. The current accord still has 2 years to go roughly before it's redesign.

I really feel honda is breaking the cycle of its current designs however. I think the HRV is a good example of a more clean, simple laid out interior that will start to reflect over the entire lineup. The CRV has a simpler interior as well, as does the new pilot coming out soon.

We may see a much cleaner and less crowded interior in the next accords as well. Less buttons, more touch screens. But also losing the iMid since the touch screen does all that plus more. I'd really like to see the touch screen HVAC controls in the civic. Honda's interiors have in some cases gotten too busy and they've always wanted to be a driver centered driving experience. So less going on in the cabin, less distraction, more driver focus.

An overall uptick in quality of materials (The HRV might be based on the fit but its interior has gotten good reviews) and just a more thoughtful and clean design.

 

[Smartie]

That's a fair guess. The civics have always leaned more accord like with each new generation, and then the accord jumps ahead again. The current accord still has 2 years to go roughly before it's redesign.

I really feel honda is breaking the cycle of its current designs however. I think the HRV is a good example of a more clean, simple laid out interior that will start to reflect over the entire lineup. The CRV has a simpler interior as well, as does the new pilot coming out soon.

We may see a much cleaner and less crowded interior in the next accords as well. Less buttons, more touch screens. But also losing the iMid since the touch screen does all that plus more. I'd really like to see the touch screen HVAC controls in the civic. Honda's interiors have in some cases gotten too busy and they've always wanted to be a driver centered driving experience. So less going on in the cabin, less distraction, more driver focus.

An overall uptick in quality of materials (The HRV might be based on the fit but its interior has gotten good reviews) and just a more thoughtful and clean design.

Interesting points but I think its gets a bit backwards in places. Touch screen HVAC controls to reduce clutter and distraction is nearly perfect paradox. A knob I can find by touch alone and knowing where the knob is, muscle memory I guess. a Touch screen does not offer the same haptic feedback. Things get buried in menus because the screen is constrained by display space.

We can call them less cleaner and cluttered yes, however I worry that the clutter isn't gone its simply been baked in behind the screen. A driver centred cockpit should make everything available at the drivers finger tips not ask him to fumble around. There's a reason racing cars haven't adopted the touch screen method, its not as driver friendly as a switch...

 

[Civil]

Interesting points but I think its gets a bit backwards in places. Touch screen HVAC controls to reduce clutter and distraction is nearly perfect paradox. A knob I can find by touch alone and knowing where the knob is, muscle memory I guess. a Touch screen does not offer the same haptic feedback. Things get buried in menus because the screen is constrained by display space.

We can call them less cleaner and cluttered yes, however I worry that the clutter isn't gone its simply been baked in behind the screen. A driver centred cockpit should make everything available at the drivers finger tips not ask him to fumble around. There's a reason racing cars haven't adopted the touch screen method, its not as driver friendly as a switch...

I agree with both of you. The trick for interior designers is finding a balance between the touch screen and tactile controls. Knobs and buttons are much easier to adjust, especially when you are trying to drive at the same time. On the other hand, the touch screen allows for a deeper set of controls so that users have more options to customize all the controls and features in their vehicle. Simple and commonly used controls should get buttons and dials while less used controls should be put in the display screen.

 

[RobbJK88]

I see your points. BUT. The steering wheel will still have the volume/menu/call buttons. Is a volume knob still necessary? (I would like if they'd add a mute button). Also, have any of you played with the new touch screen. Other than the touchy volume swipe area and slightly dated graphics most publications agree it's one of the best. Well thought out, user friendly and organized. Personally i think the imid system is a mess. Its so confusing and took forever to learn. The new touch screen is way better in terms of intuitive interaction. Also, it wouldn't be that insane for honda to add tactile feedback to the screens (i feel like i read somewhere they might be doing just that with the next version of the system, can't remember where tho.) Also, once you have it dedicated to memory you don't need knobs and buttons (the HVAC still has buttons below the screen, the screen only adjusts temp and auto climate control and seat warmers). I type and use my iphone all the time without ever having to look down at the screen, it just take a bit of getting used to. And really, once you've done that knobs and buttons aren't any more/less distracting than touch screens. But the screens give a cleaner more high end look.

Just my thoughts. lol.

Also, the next version that'll be in the civic will have the Apply Carplay (and android auto i think), which effectively makes the touchscreen into your phone, so that shouldn't take any getting used to as we all know our own phones id think.

 

[liquid squid]

depends where my hand is. sometimes wheel when my hand is there, sometimes the dial if its down on the shifter

 

[RobbJK88]

depends where my hand is. sometimes wheel when my hand is there, sometimes the dial if its down on the shifter

I suppose everyone is different. I can honestly count on one hand how many times i've even touched the volume knob in my cars in the past 2 years. I always use the steering wheel controls (because at least one hand should always be there) And i probably wouldn't have ever touched the volume knob if there was an instant mute button.

 

[Civil]

I see your points. BUT. The steering wheel will still have the volume/menu/call buttons. Is a volume knob still necessary? (I would like if they'd add a mute button). Also, have any of you played with the new touch screen. Other than the touchy volume swipe area and slightly dated graphics most publications agree it's one of the best. Well thought out, user friendly and organized. Personally i think the imid system is a mess. Its so confusing and took forever to learn. The new touch screen is way better in terms of intuitive interaction. Also, it wouldn't be that insane for honda to add tactile feedback to the screens (i feel like i read somewhere they might be doing just that with the next version of the system, can't remember where tho.) Also, once you have it dedicated to memory you don't need knobs and buttons (the HVAC still has buttons below the screen, the screen only adjusts temp and auto climate control and seat warmers). I type and use my iphone all the time without ever having to look down at the screen, it just take a bit of getting used to. And really, once you've done that knobs and buttons aren't any more/less distracting than touch screens. But the screens give a cleaner more high end look.

Just my thoughts. lol.

Also, the next version that'll be in the civic will have the Apply Carplay (and android auto i think), which effectively makes the touchscreen into your phone, so that shouldn't take any getting used to as we all know our own phones id think.

You have to have almost all the controls available in the center of the vehicle because the passenger should have that access. How often is the passenger the guy who chooses music, adjusts AC, and stuff like that.

The thing about the touch screens is that there is a root menu which covers many of the controls which are hidden in deeper menu pages. Feeling the click of volume points on the knob makes it so that you don't even have to look as opposed to the touch screen which can't provide that physical feedback.

 

[RobbJK88]

You have to have almost all the controls available in the center of the vehicle because the passenger should have that access. How often is the passenger the guy who chooses music, adjusts AC, and stuff like that.

The thing about the touch screens is that there is a root menu which covers many of the controls which are hidden in deeper menu pages. Feeling the click of volume points on the knob makes it so that you don't even have to look as opposed to the touch screen which can't provide that physical feedback.

I don't know about in your car, but nobody touches the controls in my car. I'm driving, therefore i'm in control. My passengers get smacked if they touch my radio or HVAC. Besides, most cars have the center stack tilted toward the driver now.

And touch screens can provide tactile feedback, it just depends if honda includes it as a feature to the next gen of touch screen interfaces.

 

[5TAR]

Can't get enough of that line of lights on the top, something which would go very well into the Type R Civic, beats just looking at an RPM gauge

 

[RobbJK88]

I think those lights act as a shift point indicator. The closer it gets to red the closer you are to ideal shift points? Just an idea. Granted, this is the concept interior. The production interior got toned down quite a bit, and if they're going to use anything for the civic it'd be the gauge cluster and the steering wheel maybe.

 

[CanGuy]

The shift point lights will not make production for sure. Its nice from a concept point of view. Would be cool in a video game, and maybe in a long shot Type R version of the next-gen Civic. Steering wheel could definitely make it though.