The ninth-generation Honda Civic made its world premiere in New York today. The new Civic’s highlights are a mildly revised style and a fuel-efficient lineup, made up of the following models: the conventional gasoline-powered Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe, the high-performance Civic Si Coupe and Sedan, the Civic Hybrid, the Civic Natural Gas and the Civic HF (an all-new high fuel economy model).
For 2012, Honda announces higher fuel economy ratings, up by as much as 8 percent on the highway in the Civic Sedan and Coupe models equipped with automatic transmissions.
The base model Civic DX Coupe has an MSRP starting price of $15,605 (€10,750), which is unchanged from the outgoing model. The base Civic Sedan and Coupe models are powered by a 1.8-liter i-VTEC engine that delivers 140 horsepower and 128 lb-ft (173.5 Nm) of torque.
The Civic Hybrid achieves a combined rating of 44 mpg (5.34 liters/100 km), with Honda stating it is the most fuel-efficient sedan currently available in the U.S. The hybrid model benefits from the introduction of the latest generation of the Integrated Motor Assist system, which now uses a lithium-ion battery. The petrol engine has a larger displacement (1.5-liter) and produces 110HP and 127 lb-ft (172 Nm) of torque together with the electric motor.
The second most fuel-efficient model in the new Civic range is the eco-friendly HF, with an estimated highway fuel economy rating of 41 mpg (5.74 liters/100 km).
The Civic Natural Gas (previously named Civic GX) remains the only manufacturer-built natural gas-powered car on the U.S. market. It is motivated by a dedicated natural gas variant of the 1.8-liter engine similar to the one used in the Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe. Output is 110HP and combined fuel consumption is 31 mpg (7.59 liters/100 km).
The Civic Si Coupe and Sedan are fitted with a larger, 2.4-liter i-VTEC engine that delivers 201 horsepower and 170 lb-ft (230 Nm), 22 percent more torque than before. The performance-oriented models use a 6-speed manual transmission and are equipped with a standard limited-slip differential.
The 2012 Civic will be offered with new features as standard including a 5-inch LCD “Intelligent” Multi-Information Display (i-MID), the Eco Assist technology that helps achieve a more efficient vehicle operation (not on Si models) and the new Motion Adaptive Electronic Power Steering System.
By Dan Mihalascu
21 Comments:
Not really liking it. Last generation looked great. This looks like it isn't proportioned right. Looks too long in the rear, especially on the 2 door coupe. I am thinking the Kia Rio is looking alot better.
ok so a new engines but still the same body from what I can see. So the question is when will honda redesign this?
Also honda the new benchmark "The 2011 Hyunda Elantra" gets 29 / 40 mpg so the civic sedan with 28 / 39 with out any special add ons or hybid systems,so the civic is not the most fuel efficent sedan. Sorry honda your lies may be lipstick but your car is still a pig and we all know what they say about pigs and lipstick
A 5 speed? Are you kidding me? lol come on Honda why don;t you join the automakers who have 6 speed autos and let your cars be modern and not dated with a antique 5 speed automatic
It's ok. Really liked the last generation's perfect shape, they s/ have increased the heigth to make it taller for more room and wish dash was traditional. What exactly are improvements???????? motor is still 140 hp and why no 6 sp auto...seems Honda is falling behind. Hopefully, they will come up with a MPV off this platform...like the Toyota Matrix.
WTF is Honda thinking???? with competition like Focus, Elantra, even Cruze sort-of. The current gen is much better looking than this. It seems Toyota and Honda are losing their mojo!!!!!
Nice one Honda, same exterior and interior, no 6 speed auto? Not a bit more power or torque? The benchmark is called Elantra.
I guess it'd be ok if you're desperated for a Civic, the problem is that its actual out the door price is almost the same as a Kia Optima. given the choice, I'll take the Optima anytime.
It competes well with new Nissan Versa
All I can see from Honda is more and more and more cost cutting. Interior lacks the 'little things' like compartment covers to save money. Exterior has no side skirts, front/rear lips. The entire car (apart from the 2.4L) is a step backwards for me.
Very wrong in a market where competition is strong. Honda will lose out.
I have an 8th Gen si sedan, will not be replacing it with a 9th gen, thats for sure.
...what a bunch of crap comments. This thing will continue to outsell all competition.
UGLY! In mid 90s Honda/Acura made very nice looking cars, whats going on here?
Have only owned Hondas, but Honda is slipping. The current generation of Accord is ugly and now even the Civic has lost its luster. Go back to tradional dash and where the heck is at least a 6 sp auto? What exactly did they improve since last design?
A HUGE disappointment.Why did they delay this thing for what? Honda really needs their design department overhauled. Elantra / Focus / Cruze is the winner here. Still will sell decent numbers but they're now really relying on their reputation for reliability now. GM still sucking in this area as are Fords fit and finish. Should Hyundai do well with reliability with the current elantra and sonata they will crush Honda will be in a world of hurt. Get someone from the outside to lead the design department snake some audi designers do something
You cannot get it perfect-right every time. Just like you cannot make a perfect dish every time.... But i may be wrong also. Unless we see it in the flesh, testing it in the real and seeing it perform over the months...no way we can pull the chain.
While the car (the Si) still looks somewhat innocuous, I cannot believe how dated the interior looks. Sure it has a LCD centre console, but the rest of the switch gear, seats, door handles, gear shift etc. look like they've been extracted from any '90's sedan. Also, a 201hp 2.4L? That would have been considered "powerful" in 1999, not today. If you're going to compete against other small sedans and various "hot" hatches - come prepared. There's a reason Japan stopped selling Civics in its own country.
Hard to decide which is uglier: the inside or the outside...
"It competes well with new Nissan Versa"
It competes with the Sentra, not the Versa.
What an unthoughtful interior and exterior.
It looks like this should have been a "refresh" for something considered back in MY09.
I Must say, with Toyota and Honda lagging behind in interior appearance and finish, looks like Nissan and Hyundai are far better choices.
What a lame "Re-design"
I'm glad more people are coming and dumping their Hondas on my lot for new Nissans
Although its just as much plastic, the new Versa is nicer looking inside. Try google images to find the MY12 Sentra SE-R. Thats a Honda Killer, but it's easy to kill something thats already dead.
Not as fugly as the new Impreza overhaul. Don't like the two level instrumentation cluster. Speed and rev meters should be side by side. Not exactly a cool redesign, more mundane and bland.
If it sells well its because its a Honda badge for reliability and efficiency. Honda should work on a 6 speed dual clutch transmission system.
Bleh...sorry Honda but you have lost your soul
How about a 5 dr hatchback? like the Ford Focus or Kia Forte or old Pontiac Vibe. Just dont do the "high beltline" styling,which contributes to poor visibility. This would set lower than the CRV and not weigh as much. Come on Honda!! Get back to simple and practical vehicles.
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