New Honda Civic (9th gen / MY2012) (1 Viewer)

[seremify007]

Any thoughts?

I personally think Honda have played it quite safe and whilst they didn't change the design much, it's still one of the better sleeker looking options in the small car segment. It does draw a bit too close to the Honda City (which is meant to be a Yaris sedan competitor) but at under $21k (presumably not driveaway), it's quite a bargain given the safety features and of course the Honda reliability (and resale value). Engine/transmission is a carry over but I've always thought the R18A to be a very willing and fun engine for the segment; so a slight retune should be good- much nicer than the Mazda engine which offers more displacement but less enjoyment IMO. Interior is typical Honda and feels a little less busy than the competition whilst looking modern and premium. Also the automatic 5 speed gearbox is a gem in this class against the competition. Only thing which might turn away new buyers is the cost of Hondas to maintain/service especially in an accident (typically higher than the competition) and the fact that despite being a new model, looks pretty much the same as the old one.

Honda is hoping the latest Civic small car will be the start of a new era for the company in Australia, putting the end to four years of plummeting sales.
Since hitting a 60,529 peak in 2008, Honda sales have halved in Australia. Initially it was a conservative model range that deterred buyers, but in 2011 the Japanese earthquake and Thai floods accelerated the problem by slashing supply.
The Civic, celebrating its 40^th anniversary in 2012, was one of the primary victims of the dramas and this ninth-generation sedan arrives from Japan rather than Thailand. A British-sourced hatchback is expected to arrive by July, while production for the sedan will revert to Thailand in mid-year. That change will allow Honda to make satellite navigation available.
Advertisement: Story continues below
Despite the more expensive production origin Honda has stuck with price cuts of up to $4300 for the simplified sedan range, which now drops the entry-level VTi and leaves the VTi-L, Sport and petrol-electric hybrid in place.
The VTi-L now kicks off proceedings at an ultra-competitive $20,990, while the five-speed auto-only Sport is $27,990. The Hybrid is the only Civic to rise in price, by $1500 to $35,990.
The price cuts will be a cornerstone of the new Civic’s appeal in the cut-throat small-car market, for much else, including the exterior shape, is evolutionary.
The entry model is powered by a revised 104kW/174Nm version of its predecessor’s 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a carry-over five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. The auto is worth an extra $2300 in the VTi-L.
The Sport also has a carry-over drivetrain, in this case a 114kW/190Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder mated exclusively to a five-speed automatic transmission. The five-speed manual has been dropped.
The Civic Hybrid has had the most work. Its petrol engine capacity grows from 1.3 to 1.5-litres, its electric motor is larger and it swaps its old-tech nickel-metal hydride battery pack for lithium-ion.
Despite all that, power actually drops by 3kW to 82kW while torque rises just 2Nm to 172Nm. The claimed combined fuel consumption average drops from 4.6L/100km to 4.4L1/00km, still 0.5L/100km higher and now $1000 more expensive than a Toyota Prius.
The Civic Hybrid is also up to $6000 more expensive than Honda’s Insight hybrid, but undercuts its fuel numbers by 0.2L/100km.
While power and torque of the orthodox petrol-powered Civics are virtually unchanged, along with vital measurements such as wheelbase (-30mm), length (-10mm), height and width (both unchanged), Honda has made sizeable advances in the economy of its auto drivetrains.
The 1.8 auto drops from 7.2L/100km to 6.7/100km, while the 2.0-litre descends from 8.4L/100km to 7.5L/100km. The 1.8’s figure, combined with a slightly better 6.8L/100km for the manual, is competitive for the class.
The Sport’s claim, however, is high in era where the automatic Skyactiv Mazda3 and various turbo Golfs are going close to 6.0L/100km, and where the new Subaru Impreza is cutting under 7.0L/100km, complete with all-wheel drive and a 100kg weight penalty compared to the 1290kg Civic.
The Civic includes an Eco Assist program that coaches drivers towards more economic motoring and an Econ button that dulls the throttle, auto shift and air-con in pursuit of better economy.
Better aerodynamics and the introduction of electric power steering no doubt play a role too.
While stability control is only new to the VTi-L, it adds a new “Motion Adaptive” feature to all Civics. This aids the stability control system by steering the car out of slides and stabilising braking.
Other safety features include six airbags and a five-star ANCAP rating. However, the spare tyre is now a temporary and rear park assist – which became standard late in the life of the old model – has now dropped back to the options list.
Bluetooth connectivity, also a late addition to the eight generation, has been retained, but the six-CD stacker has been ditched – a common move in the era of USB/iPod integration.
Other new features include a five-inch multi-function colour display that provides vehicle and audio settings and access to customisable features such as wallpaper, climate control and a 60:40 (rather than single-piece) folding rear seat in the base model (but the battery pack continues to prevents a fold-down function in the Hybrid).
Other standard equipment includes climate control, reach and rake adjustable steering and alloy wheels across the range. The Sport adds a sunroof and leather trim, the Hybrid an automatic climate-control system that continues to run when the car is in idle-stop mode.

http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/honda-looks-to-civic-for-lift-20120228-1tzr8.html

 

[jackl25]

IMHO:

That may be the single busiest dashboard I have ever seen. In comparison, the wrap-around interior of the Mazda3 looks and feels premium, and is well-designed. The Civic just has too much going on. The softer grays of the plastics in the Civic make it look a lot more warmer and inviting than the 3 though, so credit where it is due.
With regard to exterior design, this will date horribly, and looks bland to me. I would rate the 3, Ford Focus, maybe even the Mitsubishi Lancer ahead of this.
I'm disappointed to hear that Honda's are still getting 'softer' in driving feel, as according to most reviews I've read.

A great car, by the sound of it - but I would shop elsewhere with my own money.

 

[seremify007]

Agreed it has become a bit bland but the profile on the FD Civic (coincidentally the one I used to have) I feel is one of the nicest/sleekest in that segment.

Interesting comment re the interior/dash being too busy. I guess it is a tad cluttered but it still feels very modern. The Mazda3 to me feels a bit dowdy but cluttered/OTT- e.g.

I'll wait until I've sat inside the 2012 Civic in person but if it's similar to the 2006 (FD) then I'd probably still lean towards the Honda. The Honda steering wheels are also a delight to hold in this price segment. I rated it more than my Evo's steering wheel.

 

[iRuler]

Not that I'm a car expert or anything, but that looks relatively nice for a cheapish new car.

 

[seremify007]

Looking at the exterior photo > http://civic.honda.com.au/

My views are changing. On one hand it doesn't look that great, but then it's not that bad either. But it isn't beautiful. Looks a bit like a Honda City and an Odyssey combined.

 

[Havox]

On one hand it doesn't look that great, but then it's not that bad either. But it isn't beautiful.

And therein lies the problem.

 

[Proteus]

old Civic looked better, especially if it had a spoiler and low profile tyres

oh, in white too

 

[seremify007]

old Civic looked better, especially if it had a spoiler and low profile tyres

oh, in white too

You mean this one?

If so I agree. I have to admit after buying the black one and seeing my mate get the white one, I thought the white looked better. Once you put a bit of mods/effort into it, it looked pretty epic for a cheap car.

 

[eshay lad 69]

personally brah ive driven many civic in my life and ive driven them real good. i know some guys who can mod em up just pm me

you wanna be looking at the eg or ek civics as they are fuckin quick wen you mod them

i had a subwoofer, 19inch wheels (with chrome coloured valve caps shaped like a bullet WORTH 4 BUCKS EACH!!!) an exhaust from super cheap auto along with xenon lights and nardi deep corn knock off wheel on ebay

all my mates frothed over it and asked me for rides everywhere its a shame it didnt have 20 more seats otherwise more people would be happy.

i ended up having a price of $5 per 10km per person to take a ride in the car it was that good.

i rolled it over late 2008 showing off my handbrake burnout technique to my mates sisters friends at their formal pre-party true story

 

[seremify007]

Finally saw MY12 on the road today and it doesn't look too bad. Does look a bit more modern from the rear than the outgoing model.