Spy Shots: 2012 Honda Civic Sedan

Yikes. This looks a bit on the bland side.

I'm already bored with the Sonata but we'll see. Sometimes "bold" gets old fast if it isn't anything more than just bold.

Hard to tell at this point, but I think this can fall more towards "tastefully restrained" than bland. Given Honda's weird styling of late, this is a relief.

new for 2011...the 2008 civic

no thanks

The current Civic sells well, so don't fix what ain't broke. Just another step in the evolutionary process.

Hyundai is in a position where they need to be bold and daring to steal market share from proven competitors.

I just hope they get back to building fun to drive cars. Since they dropped the wishbone suspension the Civic has gotten very bland. Only the Fit is representative of the cars Honda used to build.

"The current Civic sells well, so don't fix what ain't broke. Just another step in the evolutionary process."

This isnt 2005. The competition in 2011 will be MUCH stronger with the Cruze, Elantra and focus already on sales. This looks like a warmed over version of the current car instead of a total redesign. After 6 years people expect more. This shape is already 5 years old.

yaris like front end. Maxim/altima back window, stuck with a new prius middle.

yup another dull civic.

The Plymouth Neon REBORN!!!!

Just kidding. I'm sure it'll be fine, low on torque of course, but just fine.

Also, they better not jam a twist-beam rear suspension in that thing like the rest of the industry has been doing. It's bad enough they switched to front struts with the current generation.
At one point, the car industry has to realize that it's not all about cost. Eventually we'll be driving around in car who's suspensions are no more sophisticated than a Little Tikes car.

http://www.littletikescar.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Little-Tikes-Cozy-Coupe-3.jpg

"new small window a-la the Fit, immediately behind the A-pillar"

There's been a window aft of the A-pillar since 2006. The door opened behind it. This is more like the Fit, but its still not terribly new--they used to be called "vent windows" until manufacturers decided to not make them openable.

Honda is playing safe with this one. The interior look cavernous , the camo hide the most critical
parts of a design , theyre still working on this. This car seem to be ligther than current model.
If the current model still sell well this one will up the sales by 50%.
ITs not like a Elantra LOOK AT ME , IM A HYUNDAI design that tend to aging premature.

So Toyota is imitating Mercedes' greenhouses and Honda is imitating BMW's. The highest form of flattery indeed.

I've never been a fan of the side mirror attaching to the door panel instead of in front of the window. Very Hyundai XG.

it looks awfully the same as the current model. check the side profiles, A pillars, wipers, etc.... maybe give it a set of new headlights, tail lamps, and tadda.... you have a "new 2012 model"
any bodykit shop can do this :p

Look at the KIA Forte, that's a mirror of this new Civic.

With the Corolla, '11 Jetta (Corolla-ized), this continuos the vanilla trend. There is nothing wrong with vanilla but lets add some fudge or caramel to the mix.

The current Civic was fairly radical when new, so massaging the design isn't that bad an idea, even if it's no longer fresh and now "bland." People are still having a hard time getting over Acura's "styling," with the "beak," so perhaps if they work on refining (but not cheapening further) the mechanicals instead?

Looks like the split level design of the current dash goes away as there looks to be a more traditional gauge pod in the dash.

Too much camo to really make an opinion on the styling but the overall shape seems really similar to the current version. While the current Civic does still look surprisingly fresh, I'm not sure this is such a good idea. Honda could really use a positive splash in the style of their cars right now.

More boring/ugly stuff from Honda. Its what I expect now from them. Of course transmissions that fail after 10k miles come standard with every new Honda nowadays.

"If the current model still sell well this one will up the sales by 50%."

Not going to happen. See my earlier post. People respond to cars that LOOK much different than their predescessors. See Sonata for reference. This car has the EXACT same shape as the 2006 model. Not a good idea even if the details are different. The casual observer will think the car is a refresh. The doorstop look is played out now, it makes the civic look like an entry level car. The Cruze and focus aim to look like more expensive cars. You would never see a midsize car with this bubble like shape- this makes the Civic seem like a car for college women only.

1487 - the Cruze, Focus, and Jetta are all now serious competition for the Civic, but they're all considerably larger (roughly the size of the 1994-1997 Accord). I, for one, think that the noticeable size difference might attract different buyers. Plus, I don't think Honda's going to try to push the Civic upmarket any more than they already have, which I think is also a difference between the Civic and the other three. If anything, I think, this is because Honda will likely (hopefully) shrink the next Accord.

"through the window that some manner of over / under gauges remain just like the current Civic and the Honda CR-Z. "

Lame

I have a 2008 civic coupe and I can't wait to get rid of it.

Honda have lost their way, IMHO. I was impressed by my wife's old 199x civic dx that looked mostly new with 130k on the clock. (Some issues, but solid.)

With 18k on her 2008 civic I won't bet on it making 130k. (Well, I'm sure the motor will but the rest....)

This looks like more of the same.

Honda, go back to making solid vehicles that are practical and fun. You can start with making sun visors that don't break.

[end mini rant]

Interesting! it does not seem to differ to much from the 5 door version we saw spy pics of in the UK.

Heres hoping that Honda injects a little bit of sport back into the civic and does a proper Si.

No hatch, no sale. I'd buy one of these UTILITARIAN vehicles because I don't want have a dedicated pickup truck that hauls stuff 2% of the time. I wonder why Honda refuse to sell one in the States considering they already make hatchbacks elsewhere in the world. How much more engineering resource will it take to make a US version?

Another play-it-safe Honda Civic. It is going to look like a mini-TSX/Euro Accord from the front. Another boring car from Honda.

Will have to wait for drive train details, if the R-18 can be fitted with A-VTEC to make more HP and yet become more fuel efficient at the same time, that is another story. Otherwise, I am not impressed by this car at all judging just from the exterior.

"I, for one, think that the noticeable size difference might attract different buyers. Plus, I don't think Honda's going to try to push the Civic upmarket any more than they already have, which I think is also a difference between the Civic and the other three."

I dont think the civic is likely to be more than a handful of inches shorter. HOw much smaller do you really think the car is going to be? The Cruze is only 180" long which is already over a foot shorter than an Accord. I dont think the civic is going to be in the fiesta category. The Elantra is bound to be a bargain like all Hyundais- expect it to offer far more kit than the Honda for less money. I'm not sure why you think Hyundai is going "upscale" with the next elantra. I bet prices will barely change.

the market for boring and bland looking cars is actually bigger than you might think. most of us who read car blogs like the cars exciting driving and looking, but the parents (really, do kids have money to buy their own cars?) who spend the money don't want anything risky in their hands, unless you are a cool dad or mom. i still think it's whack that they are still going for the different body style for different regions thing.

I think the mazda now is the honda of back then, with interesting engineering and high quality and attractive cars, and honda is becoming more like toyota now, pedestrian, inoffensive.

The more it changes the more it remains the same.

Oh well...

I was expecting something far more radical...

It's ok, but nothing I'd want to check out personally for purchase (speaking for myself, of course).

Peace!<-AladdinSane<-

So boring.... They will sell in bunches like always though. I've never owned a Honda and at this rate, I probably never will.

The only smallish car I would ever ever buy would be a Mazda3. Of course, I hope that the new Focus will be highly competitive.

Wow I'm so happy they made it smaller. For once a company is going in the right direction. Looks great to me. The current civic is a great vehicle which is fun, quick, great mpg, reliable as a swiss car, etc. Hopefully torque is up on this model though. I don't know what everyone is complaining about with the styling? sure it's conservative but it's not ugly that's for sure. Guess there's a lot of honda haters on here. RANT TIME! I mean lets face it, the mazda3 looks like a gay smiley face, the jetta is a girl car(and so is the mazda3), the current focus looks like it was pieced together in a shed, the chevy cobalt looks . .. cheap, the altima looks like it came from the year 2000, the elantra still looks cheap, and well who cares about any i missed. I'd say your real alternatives for styling come from the kia forte and toyota corolla. MY opinion of course so don't take personally. Once again i'm talking about styling and NOTHIGN else.

:D have a nice day~!

IF it ends up having a beak like the current lame Acuras I am going to track and beat the designers with a stick.

http://www.hondacarindia.com/city/Default.aspx

How about this one. Chevy Cruze is old story in Asia, guess so is North American Civic 2012.

I think its a brilliant move by Honda (barring any wierd Acura beakiness that might find its way over).

The current Civic is consistently at the top of the sales charts every month in the small car segment, the only car normally coming close or beating it being the Corolla (with lots more incentives, as is Toyota's way).

The current shape is still modern looking and fresh, without excessive gingerbread or bling. It is also readily recognizable as a Civic. In this I totally disagree with 1487 - consumers like to see small changes in good cars. Familiarity is a good thing if you're starting with a positive brand image and consumer perception. Change for change's sake alone is silly and costly.

The fuel economy, acceleration performance and handling are also excellent, offering competitive numbers in all 3 areas.

So, what Honda really needs to do is perform an evolutionary enhancement. If the car truly is smaller and lighter, than a modest powertrain improvement will net improved acceleration and fuel economy. Personally, I'd love to see Honda offer 3 engine choices in the US (yes, diesel would be cool, but won't happen IMO). A near carryover 1.8 designed for the base models and further optimized for fuel economy. An upgraded R20 2.0 liter with some extra power and torque for the EX model, and then the rumored 2.4 liter K-series with 210-220 hp for the Si.

Outside of the powertrain, focusing on noise abatement and improved interior materials would further cement the Civic at the top of the class.

Fantastic.
It's just as unappealing as the current generation.

I really DO NOT think this is a NEW civic. I think it is the old civic camo'd to make these "spy shot" guys think it is the new one.

Although if it is the new one, wow honda just continues their screw ups over and over.

This is a company who once ran the car game, and now they are running it into the GROUND.

They used to make jewels and masterpeice cars, now they are a mess. They remind me alot of Britnet Spears when she came out. Perfect in ALMOST everyway, then she got alot of money and shes a mess.

Hyundai is coming up hondas ass and becoming the NEW honda and I AM GLAD...give it a few years and honda MIGHT get theyre shit together!

Not a huge departure from the current model obviously as previous reports stated and that is a good thing. The current shape of the Civic is really quite pleasing and has aged well. I just hope that the redesign looks less weird than the refreshed Accord which proved to be a total disappointment.

Hopefully it has better brakes than the Accord/TSX.

Did they . . . actually change anything?? maybe more of an "evolution" than a "revolution," or whatever.

An evolution not a revolution is the way to go. I just hope that they kept two tier gauge layout of the last gen.

Honda and Toyota are playing safe these days.
Not a good idea, when their competitors are catch up fast.
This is not 1990s, when only reliable small cars were either Honda or Toyota.
These days, even Hyundai makes a good, reliable cars.
Cruze and Elantra will take a huge market share if Japanese car companies play safe like this.
I honestly can't tell whether Civic and Corolla have improved since 1990s in style and performance.

This is just the reason why I'm no longer a Honda fan. They've been sitting on this same shape and overall design for the last 5-6 years. I want to see something different. It doesn't have to be radical or revolutionary, but make it at least look like you tried. I'll reserve full judgment until it's official revealed. But, for now, my hopes are not up. Honda is quickly and certainly losing me to Kia lol

I am sick and tired to Honda Civic. it is not high performance Civic is not worth. it is real boring, ugly and worthless. it is same layout FF FWD.

There's tape on the sides by the handles because they have the 'Hyundai spears' running across the side as a design cue (Yes I know Hyundai didn't invent this but they're running with the theme). You've heard it here first.

Wow! I'm impressed Honda isn't making it bigger... now if the fuel efficiency and driving dynamics are good, it should do very well.

Let's hope the interior stays on top of the game...

The Hondacarindia photo was very nice, imo.

hmm!! its making mw thing of honda city!! dont know frm where though!! may be it will some what look like it!! az all yaris corolla n camry looks from 1 family!!!

I really don't think we are ever going to see a Civic passed the 2.0 litre mark. Honda first and foremost is a car company that is going to go with cars that are good on gas versus going straight out performance. This is probably why the Civic SI will never go passed 2.0 and base models will always likely be a 1.8.

I'm not really complaining, i'm sure the next gen will get better fuel economy and have less pollution. Anybody that thinks Honda is into making performance cars please look closer. No S2000 No NSX and nothing interesting in the future.

The 2.4 will most likely stay with the 4 Cylinder Accords as well as the Element and CRV.

"I'd love to see Honda offer 3 engine choices in the US (yes, diesel would be cool, but won't happen IMO). A near carryover 1.8 designed for the base models and further optimized for fuel economy. An upgraded R20 2.0 liter with some extra power and torque for the EX model, and then the rumored 2.4 liter K-series with 210-220 hp for the Si."

"Hopefully it has better brakes than the Accord/TSX."

It should, at least the Si version, considering that the Si already has the rotors the same size as the Accord and TSX.

Well the design does not seem to change much, I own a 2006 Civic EX and although I think it still looks great I would like to upgrade to a different looking car so I do not feel it is just a redesign, that's the reason I did not purchased a 2009.

And as far as quality, I am not impressed, headliners have broken twice. The front window gasket has gotten loose, etc. Why something so simple has not been fixed?

Competition is becoming much better, Honda needs to step up and go back to creating fun to drive cars with good quality and stop becoming so much like Toyota

Yawn. The 96-00 was a great car and Honda tried the evolution as opposed to revolution thing with the 01-05. It didn't work that time and it won't work this time. I think Soichiro Honda would be disappointed to see where his brainchild has ended up. Once upon a time Honda was an overachieving car company née motorbike company. Now they're just an also ran.

apez says:

09:26 PM, 09/ 1/10

Very jellybean. I don't know how they'll fare against Hyundai's daring new designs.

Report ItReport It dg0472 says:

10:26 PM, 09/ 1/10

Yikes. This looks a bit on the bland side.

Of course you wont know how it fares against Hyundai since you are looking at the same photo we are. All very astute guys since it has a sheet over its body and its 50% hidden in detail. Tell us something we dont know. Hyundai doesnt have a sheet on its current offerings so its apples to oranges...........until of course you wait to see the finished product without disguise........but maybe that would be asking too much.