[BuhBob]

I decided not to get leather on my 2016 Civic and got the EX model. I just realized that on-board navigation is not an option. I checked Honda's website and sure enough it's an option only on the EX-L and above. What's the connection between leather seats and navigation? Am I missing something? LOL Is there any way to work around that "requirement"? I usually use my phone's navigation, but it's nice to have the in-dash option if I lose cell service.

 

[dick w]

What's the connection between leather seats and navigation?

The only connection is that is how Honda wants to package them together. That's probably based on both what they think are "likely" customer demand and wanting to move customers to more profitable configurations wherever possible. Honda, unlike, say, Ford, does not build to order. So they don't have every conceivable combination of features, interior/exterior colors, and trim levels running down the line. This is a choice about production efficiency and, in theory, quality.

 

[B20Vtec]

It just makes life a lot easier having things packaged towards what their consumers would commonly want together. A lot more efficient, cost effective.

 

[BuhBob]

Huh. OK. I guess people with cloth interior still use paper maps. LOL

 

[dick w]

Huh. OK. I guess people with cloth interior still use paper maps. LOL

If I were guessing, I'd suspect that they think most buyers at the EX-T level will not see the value proposition for spending $1k for navigation when their phone has it for free and it can display in the dash via Android Auto or CarPlay. I don't be they think essentially anyone in their target markets uses paper maps.

I'm not saying there isn't a value proposition, I'm saying Honda is betting few buyers will. How rare your post is, wanting EX-T+Navi, kinda confirms this for me. Again, Honda has, since its inception, elected not to build all possible combinations, just a limited number that they think covers the demand adequately. It's just how they choose to roll.