X

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid gets 44 mpg (photos)

Honda updated its entire Civic line for 2012, including the Civic Hybrid. The 2012 Civic Hybrid gets a new lithium ion battery pack, and boasts fuel economy of 44 mpg.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
HondaCivicHybrid_SS01.jpg
1 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET
With the 2012 Civic update, Honda came up with six new versions, all presenting unique characteristics for different types of drivers. Rated at 44 mpg, the 2012 Civic Hybrid gets the best fuel economy of the Civics, and, according to Honda, also the highest of any sedan in the U.S.

Back to 2011 New York auto show.

HondaCivicHybrid_SS02.jpg
2 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET
Following the theme that blue is green, Honda fits blue accents around the Civic Hybrid to distinguish it from other Civic models. A blue translucent strip forms the top bar of the grille, while the headlights have blue lens covers.

Back to 2011 New York auto show.

HondaCivicHybrid_SS03.jpg
3 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET
Honda kept the width and length of the new Civic the same as that of the 2011 model. But the new Civic is a little shorter in height, and has a more compact wheelbase. Honda makes the new Civic look more dynamic, with lines that slant down toward the front of the car. The new Civic is available in both sedan and coupe forms, although the hybrid power train can only be had in the sedan.

Back to 2011 New York auto show.

HondaCivicHybrid_SS04.jpg
4 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET
The reverse lights get blue-accent lens covers in the Civic Hybrid.

Back to 2011 New York auto show.

HondaCivicHybrid_SS05.jpg
5 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET
Honda continues the use of its Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system in the Civic Hybrid, which uses a gas engine for main power and an electric motor for additional boost. Honda increased the size of the gas engine for 2012 from 1.3 liters to 1.5 liters.

Back to 2011 New York auto show.

HondaCivicHybrid_SS06.jpg
6 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET
A big change for the 2012 model year is the adoption of lithium ion technology for the battery. This new battery pack is lighter but more powerful than the previous generation. Honda installs it behind the rear seats, which eliminates the pass-through to the trunk.

Back to 2011 New York auto show.

HondaCivicHybrid_SS07.jpg
7 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET
The hybrid system operates similar to that in the previous Civic Hybrid, stopping the engine at red lights and in traffic, and using the electric motor for additional boost during acceleration. The combined horsepower from engine and electric motor is 110, and torque is at 127 pound-feet. Fuel economy is rated at 44 mpg city and 44 mpg highway, which Honda says is the highest of any U.S. sedan.

Back to 2011 New York auto show.

HondaCivicHybrid_SS08.jpg
8 of 13 Sarah Tew/CNET
The Civic Hybrid can be had with navigation, and with cloth or leather seats, the various options creating a price range of $24,050 to $26,750. A continuously variable transmission is the only type available in the car.

Back to 2011 New York auto show.

HondaTech_SS02.JPG
9 of 13 Wayne Cunningham/CNET
For years, Honda relied on a DVD-based navigation system, but this new one is flash-based, making for quicker response times and better resolution. Honda also integrates traffic into this navigation system.

Back to 2011 New York auto show.

HondaTech_SS04.JPG
10 of 13 Wayne Cunningham/CNET
With a connected iPod, the library interface breaks down music into artist, album, and genre categories. The system populates screens quickly as you scroll down through the various categories.

Back to 2011 New York auto show.

HondaTech_SS03.JPG
11 of 13 Wayne Cunningham/CNET
The main touchscreen shows the available audio sources, a new graphic design for Honda that will be easy to operate while driving. Unlike the previous version, the CD slot is at the top of the face plate, rather than behind the LCD, a change that makes it more easily accessible.

Back to 2011 New York auto show.

HondaTech_SS05.JPG
12 of 13 Wayne Cunningham/CNET
The auxiliary screen, up at the top of the dashboard close to the driver's range of vision, is a smaller screen that lists audio sources sequentially. This screen flows sideways when the driver pushes the source button on the steering wheel.

Back to 2011 New York auto show.

HondaTech_SS06.JPG
13 of 13 Wayne Cunningham/CNET
When playing a track from a connected iPod, the auxiliary screen shows song information, including album cover art when available. This auxiliary screen also shows route guidance information when a destination is programmed into the navigation system.

Back to 2011 New York auto show.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos