The current-generation Honda Civic has been on sale since 2005 as a 2006 model. That’s a long time for any car to go without a full redesign, the 2009 visual changes not withstanding. For 2009, the main changes were the front and rear bumpers, as well as a new wheel design. For the 2012 model, it was expected that Honda would release a fully new design. Based on the pictures, Honda is playing it safe with their new bread-and-butter commuter car. Read on for more details, pictures and the full press release from Honda.
2012 Honda Civic Si Sedan
Instead of a new design, the 2012 Civic is more evolutionary than revolutionary, keeping a lot of the same aerodynamic sheet metal the current car is known for. The new car has some more sculpting from front to rear, making for a less drab appearance all around. From the front view, the bulbous rear taillamps have a Toyota Corolla-esque appearance, which detracts from the overall design.
2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe
Those same taillamps, when actually viewed from the back, looks like a cross between a Honda CRX and a Scion tC, which gives the car a large rear.
Meanwhile, the extra scalloping on the doors adds a lot of visual appeal over the outgoing model. Overall, I give the design a thumbs up, but it fails to really capture my attention. The America-only Coupe, however, benefits the most from the new design.
2012 Honda Civic EX-L Sedan with navigation interior
Inside, the new Civic shows quite a bit of focus, mostly on the driver. The driver-oriented cockpit angles the instruments and navigation display towards the driver, which reminds me a lot of the early-90s Mercury Cougar, albeit with 21st-century technology.
The two-level digital dashboard grows up, with more detailed instruments and what appears to be a secondary display between the speedometer and navigation display. Hopefully we’ll see more information about this secondary display as the Civic gets closer to launch.
2012 Honda Civic EX Coupe
Along with the sheetmetal and interior changes, the new Civic gets new fuel economy numbers. For base and HF models, the highway fuel economy is supposed to be 41 and 39 mpg, respectively. The sporty Si model gets a new (for it) 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, which is the same one out of the base Accord, achieving 200 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. While the horsepower hasn’t increased, the torque has, by 22 percent, while still sipping fuel to the tune of 31 mpg on the highway. This last number isn’t all that impressive, especially considering the 2011 Ford Mustang V6 is EPA-rated at 31 mpg on the highway, when equipped with its automatic transmission.
Finally, a new Civic has bowed. Whether or not it continues its great success is still to be seen, with ever more competitive rivals from Ford, GM, Hyundai and Kia. At least Honda is continuing the base, HF, Si, and Hybrid models, with coupe versions of the base and Si.
2012 Honda Civic EX Coupe
2012 Honda Civic EX-L Sedan with navigation interior
All-New 2012 Honda Civic Emphasizes Style, Fuel Economy and Performance
Two models offer 40+ mpg
02/17/2011 – TORRANCE, Calif.
Featuring the widest array of engine choices available in its class, the 2012 Civic is designed to even better meet the diverse needs of the compact-vehicle buyer when it launches this spring. The entire redesigned ninth-generation Civic lineup will become more fuel efficient with two models – the all-new Civic HF and the Civic Hybrid – each delivering fuel economy estimates of more than 40 mpg on the highway.
Built on the tradition of Honda fuel efficiency, the economical Civic HF model will be the most fuel-efficient gasoline-only powered Civic in the lineup when it launches this spring. Equipped with a 1.8-liter i-VTEC engine, the Civic HF is targeted to earn EPA-estimated fuel economy1 of 41 mpg on the highway. The 2012 Civic Hybrid, which will be outfitted for the first time with a lithium-ion battery and a larger 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine, is expected to achieve an EPA-estimated city/highway combined fuel economy1 of 45 mpg, an improvement of 4 mpg compared to the current Civic Hybrid. Both the Civic HF and Civic Hybrid models will be equipped with aerodynamic components for improved efficiency and Honda ECO Assist™ technology, an innovation that can enhance efficient vehicle operation while providing feedback to promote more efficient individual driving styles.
“The Civic is the only model in the industry that can deliver on all fronts – fuel economy, sporty performance, smart packaging, alternative fuel and long-term value,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda Motor Co.,Inc. “For the ninth-generation Civic, we are emphasizing improved fuel economy across the board, from the hybrid sedan to the sporty Si model.”
In addition to the Civic HF and Civic Hybrid models, the Civic Sedan, Civic Coupe and Civic GX Natural Gas models are also estimated to achieve improved fuel economy compared to the current models. The Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe achieve an EPA-estimated fuel economy2 of 39 mpg on the highway, an improvement of 3 mpg when compared to the current model. The Civic Natural Gas vehicle is anticipated to earn a 7 percent improvement in fuel economy compared to the current model. The Civic Sedan, Civic Coupe and Civic Natural Gas models will all be equipped with the Honda ECO Assist technology.
Along with improved fuel economy, the new Civic lineup also delivers more performance, particularly with the Civic Si. The Civic Si sedan and coupe models will be equipped with a larger, more powerful 2.4-liter engine as well as a new 6-speed manual transmission. The new engine is anticipated to deliver 200 horsepower with 170 ft-lb of torque. Even with the larger engine and a 22 percent increase in torque, Civic Si is targeted to achieve an EPA-estimated highway fuel economy1 of 31 mpg; an increase of 2 mpg when compared to the current model.
The 2012 Civic lineup includes a sedan and a coupe with conventional gasoline models, a new “HF” high fuel economy version, two sporty “Si” performance versions, along with one hybrid and a natural gas alternative-fuel variant.
Additional information on the new 2012 Civic will be announced closer to the on-sale date. For more information on the current Civic and other Honda models, please visit www.hondanews.com.
Civic HF, Sedan, Coupe and Natural Gas Specifications
200 horsepower and 170 lb-ft, 2.4-liter i-VTEC™ 4-cylinder engine
6-speed manual transmission
EPA-estimated Civic Si highway fuel economy: 31 mpg
1Preliminary EPA mileage estimates determined by Honda. Final EPA mileage estimates not available at the time of printing. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.
2Based on 2012 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.
Overall apperance is pretty good, but that digital speedo (same as in the older models) makes me very hesitant to buy this vehicle.It just looks ugly and causes a distraction while driving.
You’d be surprised … the upper-level speedometer keeps your eyes on the road more, since you don’t have to glance down to see how fast you’re going. In addition, it’s more accurate than analog speedometers. I would test drive it before dismissing the Civic altogether.
-John
I actually like the the two tier dash with the digital speedometer (only real drawback is the cars next to you can actually see your speed at nite). While, I still think the old Civic was a pretty good car–I’m a bit underwhelmed as with the delay in the introduction and the fact that Honda has had 6 years to work on this car it really is nothing revolutionary both styling wise and engineering wise (other than the eco-tech) there really is nothing new here with same old dated, uncompetitive 5 speed auto, the same old 1.8 v-tech with no new tecnology.Honda really needs to spend more money on its R &D and get new design studios as it no longer produces the bench mark cars that it at one time produced. If Honda continues to plod along Hyundai/Kia possibly even Ford will eventually have the class benchmarks.
I test drove a new Elantra which I rented for one day from Budget rentals. It was one of my choices and I’m darn glad that I was able to find this at a rental outlet. The Elantra had 6000km (3600m.) and that car crashed the bumps and broken pavement like a toy. The front seats were unbearably uncomfortable and the ride and handling was rather poor. I drove it to a local Honda dealer to test drive the 2012 Civic which I purchased on-the-spot. There is no comparison here, Honda is #1
@carlover
Sure you will probably find keyless entry, bigger engines, cvt transmissions on kia or hyndias but they are not nearly as reliable or efficient. None of the features that are mentioned are necessary or useful on cars. Only the cvt transmission is helpful for hybrids. But Honda will continue to lead the way by creating the most reliable car on the road.
I actually like the two tier dash as well but the exterior styling looks horrible IMO. I hope the 2013-2014 Si looks much better than this.
Overall apperance is pretty good, but that digital speedo (same as in the older models) makes me very hesitant to buy this vehicle.It just looks ugly and causes a distraction while driving.
You’d be surprised … the upper-level speedometer keeps your eyes on the road more, since you don’t have to glance down to see how fast you’re going. In addition, it’s more accurate than analog speedometers. I would test drive it before dismissing the Civic altogether.
-John
I actually like the the two tier dash with the digital speedometer (only real drawback is the cars next to you can actually see your speed at nite). While, I still think the old Civic was a pretty good car–I’m a bit underwhelmed as with the delay in the introduction and the fact that Honda has had 6 years to work on this car it really is nothing revolutionary both styling wise and engineering wise (other than the eco-tech) there really is nothing new here with same old dated, uncompetitive 5 speed auto, the same old 1.8 v-tech with no new tecnology.Honda really needs to spend more money on its R &D and get new design studios as it no longer produces the bench mark cars that it at one time produced. If Honda continues to plod along Hyundai/Kia possibly even Ford will eventually have the class benchmarks.
I test drove a new Elantra which I rented for one day from Budget rentals. It was one of my choices and I’m darn glad that I was able to find this at a rental outlet. The Elantra had 6000km (3600m.) and that car crashed the bumps and broken pavement like a toy. The front seats were unbearably uncomfortable and the ride and handling was rather poor. I drove it to a local Honda dealer to test drive the 2012 Civic which I purchased on-the-spot. There is no comparison here, Honda is #1
@carlover
Sure you will probably find keyless entry, bigger engines, cvt transmissions on kia or hyndias but they are not nearly as reliable or efficient. None of the features that are mentioned are necessary or useful on cars. Only the cvt transmission is helpful for hybrids. But Honda will continue to lead the way by creating the most reliable car on the road.
I actually like the two tier dash as well but the exterior styling looks horrible IMO. I hope the 2013-2014 Si looks much better than this.