Honda has long prided itself on charting its own course in the automotive world, a philosophy that has historically yielded groundbreaking innovations. However, the unveiling of the ninth-generation Civic, specifically the 2012 Honda Civic Ex model, as an early release, prompts a closer examination of whether this independent approach continues to deliver.
The preceding eighth-generation Civic was notable for its distinctive and contemporary styling. While opinions were divided, its sleek silhouette and fluid lines were personally appealing and, arguably, signaled a renewed focus on innovative and refined design from Honda in 2006. Yet, the 2012 Honda Civic EX appears to represent a departure from this trajectory. While maintaining similar overall dimensions, and surprisingly, shortening the wheelbase by 1.2 inches, the design language has shifted. Honda’s press materials describe the updated sedan as “the most aerodynamically and aggressively styled models in the model’s history.” This translates to vertically compressed side windows, horizontally elongated to suggest a more spacious interior. The previously separate window ahead of the door now integrates directly into the door frame, leaving a black plastic insert in its former location. A somewhat awkwardly implemented Hofmeister kink has been added to the rear edge of the side windows. The cumulative effect is a design that feels busier, less refined, and ultimately, less visually appealing than its predecessor.
Honda asserts that the redesigned interior of the 2012 Civic EX offers “more style and convenience than any other vehicle in [the] segment.” Style is, of course, subjective. The instrument panel retains its two-tiered layout, positioning the tachometer within the steering wheel’s periphery and other gauges, including a new five-inch information display with customizable backgrounds, above it. This bi-level design, a point of contention from the 2006 model, has not grown in favor, even if some owners have expressed satisfaction. It is notable that while other automakers have often emulated Honda’s innovations, this particular instrument panel layout has not been widely adopted, perhaps indicating a less universally appealing design choice.
One positive aspect of the interior design is the center stack, which is now angled towards the driver in a style reminiscent of BMW, enhancing accessibility to the audio and climate controls. With the curious exception of the audio power button, the controls are generously sized. While the overall styling may be debatable, the emphasis on convenience is evident. However, this improved usability is overshadowed by the interior’s somewhat clumsy aesthetic, inconsistent panel gaps, and material quality that rivals the 2011 VW Jetta for the lowest in its class. The door panels incorporate four distinct types of hard plastic, none of which stand out positively. The textured plastic above the armrest is particularly underwhelming. The armrest itself offers adequate cushioning but exhibited an unsettling “crunch” sound when pressed. Even in the higher-trim Civic EX, the fabric upholstery appears inexpensive. Honda appears to have fallen behind competitors like GM, Ford, and Hyundai in interior quality, as the interiors of the Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus, and Hyundai Elantra surpass the Civic in this regard. Drawing inspiration from Chrysler’s design choices and avoiding light gray interior color schemes might also be beneficial.
Historically, Honda instrument panels were celebrated for their compact dimensions and low profile, setting a benchmark for the industry. In contrast, the bi-level design in the 2012 Honda Civic EX is notably tall, necessitating raising the seat height to achieve a comfortable view over it. The front seats represent an improvement over smaller Honda models, primarily due to headrests that are less protrusive. They also offer sufficient lateral support, adequate for the vehicle’s intended driving dynamics. In the rear, the seat cushion is comfortably elevated, although in sunroof-equipped EX models, headroom is limited to occupants under 5’10”. Both the seat cushion and floor are relatively flat, improving comfort for a center rear passenger. While rear legroom has marginally increased, the overall rear seat width remains consistent with the compact sedan class.
Weighing in at 2,765 pounds in EX trim, the 2012 Civic remains light for a contemporary compact sedan. The powertrain is carried over, featuring a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 140 horsepower, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. Notably, a manual transmission is no longer offered in the EX trim, and a six-speed automatic is not yet available. Even without engaging the “Eco” mode, the powertrain response is leisurely, providing only adequate performance at best. The transmission tends to upshift rapidly and occasionally exhibits indecisiveness. Similar to the Elantra and some competitors, the 2012 Civic employs a “smart” alternator designed to maximize charging during braking and minimize it during other times. This fuel-saving strategy contributes to brake feel that is somewhat reminiscent of a hybrid vehicle.
In fact, the overall driving experience of the 2012 Honda Civic EX bears an unexpected resemblance to that of a Toyota Prius. Further emphasizing fuel efficiency, electric power steering is now standard across the Civic range, not just on the Si and Hybrid models. The new electric steering system feels artificial and lacks feedback. Stability control, previously exclusive to the EX-L and Si trims, is now standard across the line. However, its intervention is rarely needed. The 2012 Civic’s handling is predictable, stable, and safe, but notably, it is not engaging or fun. Body lean is noticeable during cornering. Even a Prius offers a more direct and connected steering feel. Historically, even базовые, more stripped-down Civics were enjoyable to drive, a characteristic that seems to be absent in this generation.
The ride quality of the 2012 Civic EX is generally smooth, but it can feel somewhat unsettled on certain road surfaces and lacks the refined damping found in vehicles like the Ford Focus or Mazda3. At times, the rear suspension sounds and feels as if it is bottoming out even under moderate driving conditions, even without rear passengers. Noise levels have been reduced compared to previous generations. However, despite improvements in smoothness and quietness, the Civic still lacks the premium sound and feel of competitors like the Cruze and Focus.
The primary benefit of these compromises in driving dynamics is improved fuel economy. EPA fuel economy ratings have increased from 25/36 mpg to 28/39 mpg, slightly surpassing the Ford Focus’s 28/38 mpg and approaching the Hyundai Elantra’s 29/40 mpg. A Civic HF model, optimized for fuel efficiency, achieves ratings of 29/41 mpg. To encourage efficient driving, indicator bars flanking the digital speedometer change from blue to green when driving economically. An instantaneous mpg display is also prominently featured. However, the average fuel economy readout within the information display is somewhat cumbersome to use. Resetting it requires navigating through multiple menu levels using steering wheel buttons, a process that is far from intuitive.
The 2012 Honda Civic EX carries a list price of $21,255, a $100 increase over the 2011 model despite the inclusion of additional features like stability control. While the 2012 model offers slightly better value than the 2011, comparable or superior vehicles with better equipment can be found for similar or lower prices from other manufacturers. The Hyundai Elantra Limited, featuring heated leather seats in both rows, lists at $20,700. A 2012 Ford Focus SE, when equipped with a sunroof and alloy wheels, is priced similarly to the Civic but offers a more engaging driving experience and a more premium feel overall.
In the 1970s and 1980s, the Honda Civic was a leader in responsiveness, handling, fuel economy, features, and reliability, fostering a loyal following of brand advocates. The 1984 Civic was a design landmark with enduring influence. Throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s, the Civic’s enjoyable driving dynamics spurred a thriving aftermarket tuning industry.
It is difficult to envision the 2012 Honda Civic EX inspiring similar enthusiasm. While it offers slightly more interior space and improved fuel economy for a standard Civic, the design is unremarkable, material quality is subpar, and the driving experience is disappointingly uninspired, even compared to a Toyota Prius. Honda has stated intentions to recapture its core strengths and return to its roots. To achieve this, closer attention to the advancements made by GM, Ford, and Hyundai is warranted. Perhaps such a shift is underway, but its impact is not yet evident in the 2012 Civic. If so, the 2012 model year may be viewed as a nadir, marking a turning point towards future improvements.
Vehicle for review provided by Mike Ulrey at Honda Bloomfield (MI). Contact him at 248-333-3200 for exceptional sales consultation.
Review by Michael Karesh, operator of TrueDelta, a resource for automotive pricing and reliability data.
