What is the point of the "sport" trim?

Andy123az

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The Sport trim comes optional with a CVT, something most people these days look for. You won't find a CVT or any type of automatic on the Si and Type R trims.
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delfonic

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why not go for the Sport Touring? instead of just the Sport?

or is that only here in Canada?
 

jd2157

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The sport trim takes the place of the Si, because they didn't want an Si there. It's just enough for the hatch without possibly encroaching on the R or further scalping sales of the R. Think of it like the old trims that were Si-inspired, having the exterior finishes of the Si without being an Si.
There's a large enough gap between the Si and CTR that I don't think Honda was that worried about encroachment on the CTR. The Type R's in general are low volume models that sell fairly easily. Seems they exist to be a showcase for Honda's engineering prowess, rather than for sales volume.

What Honda has had trouble with in the past is fully utilizing the capacity of the Swindon plant (which is exacerbated by the recent investment to handle the 10th Civic). I'd speculate the the Sport (rather than Si) decision was made to sell as many hatchbacks as possible as soon as possible. Rather than wait for the Si to be ready for production next year sometime, they have the ability to offer a couple additional (higher than Si volume) models right away. The only downside is a few enthusiasts being disappointed they can't get an Si hatchback which is unfortunate because it'd be a great combo of performance, practicality and affordability.
 

fletan

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"Sport" as a trim means different things to different models at manufacturers at different times. In this case, it helps to think Honda means "sporty" look. To Subaru "sport" means off-road, to Lexus it means a different grill and pedals and a slight change in suspension tuning. *shrug*



Do you mean MSRP, because I thought the Hyundai Elantra GT starts at almost $19k. (At the same price point Hyundais have always been better equipped, that's their thing.)



Honda always offers less options in order to make money in volume. Due to lack of demand, manual transmissions are usually offered in better trims after the market gets saturated (years later). Plus, Honda wants to sell the enthusiast manual drivers the Si (sedan and coupe) or Type R (hatchback). Automatic drivers need not apply.

Companies with less volume or different philosophy (Mazda3) might offer a lot more options and MT at every trim level.

Nothing wrong with a GTI though. VW pretty much invented the concept of a "hot hatch." ;-)

Clarkson in his TV doc "The New Romantics" states the 1974-1975 Vauxhall Chevette HRS was the first true Hothatch
 
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I test drove a 6mt Sport hatch; looks great on the outside, and the 1.5t was better than I expected. But this trim is seriously stripped down; a $16k Hyundai is much better equipped. I'd get a Sport Touring if it offered a 6mt, but alas, looks like Honda doesn't want my money. GTI it is I guess.
Haha. I'm laughing because of a recent post I made in the General forum about how I wish the sport was stripped down a bit more.

I do agree with others. The Si will not be in hatch form and there are those that want a sporty hatch without having to spend Type R money.
I love that my sport hatch is the model down from the top Type R line. Then again, someone stated that the Si would be coming in hatchback form. Not sure if it is true. I hope not.
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