2017 Honda Civic Sport Touring: Review & Features

Alright, guys, let's dive deep into something pretty special from a few years back: the 2017 Honda Civic Sport Touring. If you're on the hunt for a used car that truly blends sporty performance, everyday practicality, and a heap of cutting-edge tech features, then you've absolutely landed on the right page. The 2017 Civic lineup was a total game-changer for Honda, bringing a fresh, bold design and some serious engineering upgrades that really pushed the boundaries for a compact car. And honestly, the Sport Touring trim was arguably the crown jewel, especially in its sleek hatchback guise.

This wasn't just another run-of-the-mill Civic; it was Honda showing the world they could make a compact car feel genuinely premium and incredibly fun to drive, all without completely emptying your wallet. Think about it: a super stylish hatchback body, a turbocharged engine that’s surprisingly peppy and responsive, and an interior loaded with amenities that, back then, easily rivaled much more expensive vehicles. This specific model year really hit a sweet spot for so many drivers, offering that perfect balance for daily commutes, thrilling weekend adventures, and everything you could possibly throw at it in between. We're talking about a car that still holds up incredibly well today, famously maintaining that legendary Honda reliability while consistently delivering an engaging and spirited driving experience. For anyone considering a compact car that absolutely refuses to compromise on style, substance, or long-term value, the 2017 Honda Civic Sport Touring remains an absolutely fantastic choice in the pre-owned market. It genuinely offers a remarkably complete package, from its distinctive and aggressive exterior styling to its meticulously thought-out and driver-focused cabin, making it a standout option for those who want much more than just basic transportation. This review is going to break down exactly what makes this car so darn appealing and why it might just be the perfect used car for you.

Why the 2017 Honda Civic Sport Touring Still Shines

So, what makes the 2017 Honda Civic Sport Touring so special that we're still talking about it years later? Well, for starters, it absolutely nailed the sweet spot in the Civic lineup. While other trims were great, the Sport Touring brought together everything you could want in a compact car: performance, premium features, and unbeatable practicality, all wrapped up in that striking hatchback design. Let's be real, guys, the hatchback body style is just inherently cool, offering a sportier aesthetic compared to the sedan, plus a colossal advantage in cargo space that we'll dive into later. It’s perfect for everything from hauling groceries to gear for a weekend getaway, without making you feel like you're driving a minivan. The overall design language, with its aggressive front fascia, distinctive C-shaped taillights, and sleek profile, still looks incredibly modern and fresh today, totally defying its age. Honda really went all out to make this car look and feel like a more expensive European import, but with that reassuring Japanese reliability we all know and love.

But it's not just about looks. Underneath that stylish skin, the Sport Touring trim comes packed with an impressive array of standard features that were often optional on competitors, or even exclusive to luxury brands. We're talking about things like full LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, heated front AND rear seats (a huge win for comfort, especially in colder climates!), and a premium 540-watt, 12-speaker audio system that truly transforms your daily commute into a concert hall. Then there's the Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver-assist technologies, which comes standard on the Sport Touring. This includes adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, road departure mitigation, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. These are features that provide a massive boost in safety and peace of mind, making long drives less fatiguing and daily traffic jams much more manageable. For a car from 2017, having such a comprehensive suite of active safety tech as standard was a really big deal, demonstrating Honda's commitment to protecting its drivers and passengers. This thoughtful integration of luxury-level amenities and advanced safety systems is a massive part of why the 2017 Honda Civic Sport Touring continues to be such a highly sought-after and genuinely valuable used car option in today's market, offering a truly premium experience without the premium price tag of a brand-new vehicle.

Under the Hood: Performance and Driving Thrills

Now, let's talk about what truly sets the 2017 Honda Civic Sport Touring apart when you hit the road: its fantastic blend of performance and driving dynamics. This isn't just a car that looks sporty; it actually feels sporty behind the wheel, making every drive an absolute pleasure. At its heart, you'll find a lively 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. And let me tell you, guys, this isn't just some basic commuter engine. It pumps out a healthy 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, which might not sound like supercar numbers, but in a lightweight and well-tuned compact car like the Civic, it translates into surprisingly brisk acceleration and a wonderfully responsive feel. This engine loves to rev and provides a strong, consistent pull across the RPM range, making highway passing a breeze and city driving genuinely engaging. You won't find yourself struggling to merge or feeling sluggish; this Civic has got plenty of oomph.

What’s even cooler is that the 2017 Civic Sport Touring Hatchback gave you a choice of transmissions. Most models you'll find will come with Honda's continuously variable transmission (CVT), which, believe it or not, is one of the better CVTs out there. Honda engineered it to mimic traditional gear shifts during hard acceleration, which helps reduce that dreaded