2012 Honda Civic Sedan: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

2012 Honda Civic Sedan: What is it?

Almost since its U.S. debut in 1973, the Honda Civic has been the benchmark for small cars - even though the current generation isn't anywhere near as small as Civics used to be.

Civic has spent many of the intervening years toting around Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy awards, as it continues to do today. But recently, the compact-class competition has become fierce, as fellow Best Buy recipients include the Ford Focus, Mazda 3, Nissan Versa, Volkswagen Golf,  and Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen.

The 2012 Honda Civic Sedan is built in Canada and the U.S.

2012 Honda Civic Sedan: What's New

Although redesigned for 2012, the Civic Sedan doesn't look much different than it did before - inside or out. Most models also carry over the same powertrains, though the sporty Si gets a larger, more powerful engine. Added to the roster is an enhanced fuel-economy model called the HF that has been tweaked to deliver an extra 1-2 mpg over base models.

2012 Honda Civic Sedan: Model Lineup Features and Options

Not counting the duplication encountered with different transmissions (manuals and automatics are considered separate models), there are 10 trim levels of Honda Civic Sedans - partly because there are no options.

The base DX is a price leader few will buy, because it doesn't include air conditioning, power/remote locks, or even a radio. But it does have tilt/telescopic steering wheel, height-adjustable driver seat, power windows, and a folding rear seat.

Air conditioning and power locks w/remote are added in the LX, which also brings cruise control, power mirrors, MP3 player, digital-media connection, and a USB port.

Both the DX and LX are offered with manual or automatic transmission; all upper models (save the sporty Si) come only with automatic.

Next is the fuel-economy-oriented HF model, which adds alloy wheels.

EX gets you a split-folding rear seat back (lower models have a one-piece folding seat back), sunroof, and wireless cell-phone link. There's also an EX w/navigation system and satellite radio.

EX-L adds leather upholstery, heated front seats, and heated power mirrors; it likewise comes as an EX-L w/navigation and satellite radio.

Topping the line is the performance-oriented Si, which comes only with manual transmission. It's equipped similarly to the EX - and also has a version w/navigation and satellite radio - but also adds a model equipped with performance tires. 

2012 Honda Civic Sedan: Engines, Transmissions, and Drive Wheels

All "regular" Civics carry a 140-horsepower 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed automatic. The new HF has the same engine, but only comes with the automatic. The performance-oriented Si gets a new 201-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder to replace a 197-horsepower 2.0, and it comes only with a 6-speed manual. All Civics are front-wheel drive.

2012 Honda Civic Sedan: Fuel Economy

EPA ratings for the 1.8-liter models are 28 city/36 highway with the manual transmission, 28/39 with the automatic. The automatic-only HF is rated at 29/41. The sporty Si is not as thrifty as other Civics, being EPA rated at 22/31. It also requires the use of premium-grade gas, whereas other Civics use regular.  

Our extended-use sedan with automatic transmission is averaging 33.0 mpg after 9,600 miles.

2012 Honda Civic Sedan: Safety Features

All 2012 Civics come with the expected safety features. There are no safety-related options.