How does Honda typically handle a Mid-Cycle Refresh?

[Tonezorz]

Being brand new to the Civic world, I'm curious how Honda typically handles a mid-cycle refresh? How many years does it take them to do it, and does there seem to ever be an major changes? I'm more familiar with the Mazda Miata refresh mindset.

I'm intending this to be Historical, which I know, I could just google-fu my way out of this one, but I figured we could use the data to do a tad bit of speculation on what we might expect with a 10th-gen mid-cycle refresh, as well as what that might mean for the Si.

I'm intent on purchasing an Si, but I'm curious what the future might hold, and what a few of you experts might think the timeline looks like.

(Also we all need another thread to BS in while we wait for reviews, right?)

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[SkyeHack]

It's usually every 3-4 years and there are small changes inside and out.

 

[zroger73]

Typically, a Honda generation lasts 5 years with a mid-cycle refresh around year 3. The last year model of a generation is noted by the addition of an "SE" trim level.

Naturally, there have been exceptions. A couple that come to mind are: The "emergency" 9th generation Civic mid-cycle refresh that came along early for the 2013 model and the 4th generation Odyssey which hung on for 7 years and offered an SE trim for the last 2 years.

The record must be the 1st generation Ridgeline which was manufactured from 2005 until 2014 - that's 10 years on the identical platform with identical sheet metal. It received a very minor refresh for the 2009 model year including some slight powertrain tweaks and a revised instrument cluster.

As far as the Civic goes...

1st gen = 7 years
2nd gen = 4 years
3rd gen = 4 years (Si introduced)
4th gen = 4 years
5th gen = 4 years
6th gen = 5 years
7th gen = 5 years
8th gen = 6 years (probably hung on due to The Great Recession)
9th gen = 4 years (probably cut short due to poor reviews)

The 10th generation started with the 2016 model year and will probably live through 2020 or 2021 unless there is another significant event that changes the normal pattern. A mid-cycle refresh will probably happen for the 2019 model year.

EDIT: Corrected number of years each generation spanned.

 

[fiatlux]

8th gen = 7 years (probably hung on due to The Great Recession)

Might want to check the math; I think most of your 5 years should be 4 and most of the 6 years should be 5. But the point remains the same.

 

[Stock_07]

Might want to check the math; I think most of your 5 years should be 4 and most of the 6 years should be 5. But the point remains the same.

I think he is counting the first model year so lets say 9th gen 12=1 13=2 14=3 15=4

 

[Design]

As far as the USDM model years are concerned, he's correct as far as I can tell.

MMR should happen during MY 2019. Maybe 2020 as several trims were launched late 2017. I'd expect some small tweaks to the infotainment and aero. Maybe some revised interior bits and mechanicals as the long term testing wraps up.

 

[zroger73]

Might want to check the math; I think most of your 5 years should be 4 and most of the 6 years should be 5. But the point remains the same.

It appears you're making a common mistake by subtracting one year from another.

1991 was year 1
1992 was year 2
1993 was year 3
1994 was year 4
1995 was year 5

Although 1,995 - 1,991 = 4, the time period from 1991 to 1995 spans 5 years.

 

[TheRealWizzy]

Typically, a Honda generation lasts 5 years with a mid-cycle refresh around year 3. The last year model of a generation is noted by the addition of an "SE" trim level.

Naturally, there have been exceptions. A couple that come to mind are: The "emergency" 9th generation Civic mid-cycle refresh that came along early for the 2013 model and the 4th generation Odyssey which hung on for 7 years and offered an SE trim for the last 2 years.

The record must be the 1st generation Ridgeline which was manufactured from 2005 until 2014 - that's 10 years on the identical platform with identical sheet metal. It received a very minor refresh for the 2009 model year including some slight powertrain tweaks and a revised instrument cluster.

As far as the Civic goes...

1st gen = 8 years
2nd gen = 5 years
3rd gen = 5 years (Si introduced)
4th gen = 5 years
5th gen = 5 years
6th gen = 6 years
7th gen = 6 years
8th gen = 7 years (probably hung on due to The Great Recession)
9th gen = 4 years (probably cut short due to poor reviews)

The 10th generation started with the 2016 model year and will probably live through 2020 or 2021 unless there is another significant event that changes the normal pattern. A mid-cycle refresh will probably happen for the 2019 model year.

8th gen was only 6 years 2006-2011.

 

[zroger73]

8th gen was only 6 years 2006-2011.

Darn you, Wikipedia!

The years shown for each generation currently appear to be an inconsistent mixture of calendar years and model years. I'll fix my post and submit an edit to Wikipedia when I get time.

EDIT: I revised my post to correct the number of years each generation spanned which was originally based on incorrect information from Wikipedia.

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