2012 Honda Civic Hybrid

A lot of progress has been made in hybrid technology since the Honda Insight debuted in 2000. And hybrids continue to play a big part in Honda, including in their bestselling car line, the Civic. Now in its 9^th generation the Honda Civic faces its toughest competition yet. And the same can be said of the new Civic Hybrid. But Honda’s unique variety of hybridization hasn’t sat still either. 

If you’ve never owned a Honda Civic, chances are you know someone who has, as almost 9-million of them have been sold in the U.S. since sales began here almost 40 years ago. The 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid may be just one of the 6 Civic models available, but as fuel prices continue to be erratic, it’s an increasingly important one. 

The Civic’s latest IMA Hybrid System is still more of an electric assist for the gasoline engine then a full-hybrid system like the Toyota Prius. So, you can’t really drive on electric power alone. But, to call the Honda system a mild-hybrid would understate its fuel saving capabilities.  And, this in-betweener has big changes for 2012 including a larger gasoline engine and new lithium-ion batteries. 

The Civic Hybrid’s upgraded engine is a 1.5-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder. Combined with the 17-kilowatt electric motor, total system output is 110-horsepower and 127 lb-ft. of torque. Horsepower is the same as last year’s 1.3-liter, but torque is up 4 lb-ft. The new lithium-ion batteries are smaller and lighter than the previous car’s nickel-metal hybrid batteries, and are stored behind the rear seat, dropping luggage capacity from 12.5 to a still usable 10.7 cubic-feet. As before, the rear seat back does not fold. The transmission is a straight forward CVT with no manual mode. 

Put into motion, the Civic Hybrid generates Government Fuel Economy Ratings of 44 across the board. That’s a 3 mpg higher combined rating than last year, and only 15 percent less than the Prius. Still, we did no better than 40.2 miles per gallon of regular. However, that still computes to a 500-plus mile range, which we love. And, Civic Hybrid has a far better than average Energy Impact Score of only 7.8 barrels of oil consumed per year and a Carbon Footprint of 4.3 annual tons of CO2 emitted. 

As we mentioned in our first review of the new Civic, styling, while somewhat polarizing, adheres to the previous car’s one-motion theme, but with a bit more attitude. 2012 models are an attempt to remain fresh. But, despite an up kick side panel character line, Civic looks dated compared to rival Hyundai Elantra.

Overall length of the Civic Hybrid is the same as before, but wheelbase has actually shrunk over an inch to 105.1 inches. Specific to the Civic Hybrid are unique badging, efficient LED brake lights, a deck mounted spoiler, and this Green Opal Metallic paint job. Light weight 15-inch aluminum wheels with low rolling resistance tires are also Hybrid specific. 

Out on the road the Civic is very smooth and quiet. It doesn’t wrap you in luxury, but it is certainly a very comfortable car. Seats are first rate and there’s much appreciated additional shoulder room up front. Typical for Civic, there’s great visibility. But, unfortunately so is a rougher than we remember auto start/stop feature.

Inside, most of our staff continues to pan the 80’s sci-fi dash with its lower analog and upper digital readouts. The new i-MID screen is a welcome addition, adding hybrid feedback to its trip computer, stereo, and personalization functions. While it is hard to fault the overall control layout, we found interior textures throwback creepy with too much bland plastic. Bluetooth is standard in the Hybrid, and touch screen navigation is an option.

At our test track, the Civic Hybrid leisurely navigated its way from 0-60 in 10.8 seconds, with a quarter mile of 18.1 seconds at 79 miles per hour. That’s slower than a Prius, but quicker than the previous Civic Hybrid, although not by much. Handling is also underwhelming, with soft springs allowing lots of body roll. However, the low rolling resistance tires did provide a decent amount of grip. Brakes are disc front, drums rear with ABS and Brake Assist. Still, stops from 60 took a disappointingly long 145 feet. 

Pricing for the 2012 Honda Civic Hybird begins at $24,820, that’s about $8,000 more than a base Civic Sedan, however the Hybrid does come fairly well equipped. It’s hard to argue with 44 mile per gallon fuel economy, and we find the new Civic, in general, a step forward. Although, we wonder if the Hybrid is really worth the extra money as the base Civic rates 39 miles per gallon highway, and the Civic HF at 41. 

Still, if you’re looking for an easy to live with hybrid, that doesn’t yell its status like the Prius, the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid is happy to help you perform your Civic duty.