Why not integrate it in to the dash in a way similar to how the speedometer is which is also designed to minimize the time your eyes need to leave the road?
The new Civic is practical and offers everything I need in a car, but nothing that I want. It's upscale, sleek, clean, and devoid of any personality. Nothing about the new Civic is fun. If someone sat me down in the driver's seat and asked me to guess which manufacturer made it, I'd be hard...