Best Car Models & All About Cars: Honda 2012 Civic Hybrid

Honda 2012 Civic Hybrid

Introduction

For a new compact automotive to stand out in an increasingly competitive class, you'd think it should supply additional than just a few subtle enhancements. So we have a tendency to notice ourselves during a rather unfamiliar position with the redesigned 2012 Honda Civic.

For years, the lineup of Civic models has been therefore abundant better than the competition that it's been a no-brainer to advocate one of those cars. However in the last few years, competing automakers have introduced some very spectacular little cars. So while the ninth-generation Honda Civic is a very smart and likable automobile, we tend to should surprise if the delicate changes to its design and engineering options will be enough to sustain its class supremacy. These days, even the least expensive models from competitive brands supply reliable powertrains, advanced safety options, high-quality interior materials and high-tech choices.

To Honda's credit, the changes to the new Civic are welcome, whether or not they do not exactly leap out at you. Fuel economy remains pretty much the identical as before for many Civic models, however there is a new Civic HF variant that is rated for forty one mpg highway. Fuel efficiency and power are improved for the Civic hybrid model furthermore, while the Civic Natural Gas remains the sole factory-created automobile to be thus fueled. As for the sporty Civic Si, it gets a brand new 2.4-liter engine that produces a great addition in torque compared to last year's 2.zero-liter.

In terms of features, stability management is currently normal throughout the model lineup. Alternative upgrades for 2012 include more interior room (3 inches of additional shoulder room up front and another 1.6 inches of rear legroom), and some new technology options like a 5-in. info display, the increased availability of iPod connectivity and an economy mode designed to assist deliver most mpg.

Considering these enhancements, the 2012 Honda Civic continues to be a solid pick with which consumers of compact cars can be pleased. However it's now not the sole game in city. We'd suggest test-driving this new Civic back to back with new competing models like the Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra. All three offer glorious fuel economy, and every holds selective blessings over the Civic in terms of interior design, feature content and worth. The Civic Hybrid is just about in a very class by itself, though you may conjointly think about the equally frugal VW Jetta TDI. Meanwhile, gearheads lusting for some sport ought to additionally check the Mazdaspeed three, Mini Cooper S and Volkswagen GTI.

Body Designs, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2012 Honda Civic is a compact car offered in each coupe and sedan body styles. Mainstream models are offered in four trim levels, starting from the bottom DX, to the midrange LX and EX and the high-of-the-line EX-L.

Entry-level DX models come back equipped with 15-inch steel wheels, auto-off headlights, intermittent windshield wipers, a rear window defroster, power windows, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a one-piece fold-down rear seatback. Stepping up to the LX model gets you a lot of features that consumers expect, together with body-color door handles, power mirrors and door locks, keyless entry, air-conditioning, cruise management, floor mats, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player and auxiliary/USB audio inputs.

A brand new fuel-efficient HF sedan starts out with commonplace features just like those of the LX sedan, then adds some upgrades designed to deliver most mpg. These include low-rolling-resistance tires and aerodynamic forged-aluminum wheels, wind-cheating underbody panels and a rear spoiler.

Besides its completely different fuel, the Civic Natural Gas adds to the LX equipment 15-in. alloy wheels, variable intermittent windshield wipers and Bluetooth. The EX model adds or supplants those extras with sixteen-in. alloy wheels, rear disc brakes, auto-on/off headlights, a sunroof, 60/40 split-folding rear seatbacks, an out of doors temperature display and a premium seven-speaker sound system. The EX-L model adds leather upholstery, heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The Civic Hybrid sedan is out there in two trim levels. The base model's list of standard options is kind of like the mainstream EX sedan, with the addition of fifteen-in. alloy wheels and low-rolling-resistance tires, outside mirrors with built-in turn signals, LED taillights, a rear spoiler and a 160-watt, six-speaker stereo. The top-of-the-line "Leather" trim level adds extras found on the regular EX-L including heated mirrors, leather upholstery and heated front seats.

The sporty Si coupe and sedan return in a single trim level that features 17-in. alloy wheels, a larger engine, a limited-slip front differential, a sport-tuned suspension, foglights, back and front spoilers and a chrome exhaust tip. Inside upgrades include most of the items from the EX model's standard options list plus front sport seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an aluminum shift knob, red backlit gauges, a special Power Monitor show.

A navigation system with voice controls, satellite radio and real-time traffic updates is optional on all but the DX and LX.

Honda 2012 Civic Hybrid