The redesigned 2012 Honda Civic may be not-even remotely revolutionary, and even the i-MID system that graces the dash made its initial debut in the 2011 Odyssey. But wait ... that was called just MID, whereas the 'i" in i-MID stands for "intelligent" and the rest is short for Multi-Information Display.
Basically it's a smaller high-res color LCD screen in the upper part of the dash that augments the larger touchscreen in the center stack. It can be used to display music source, fuel economy, Bluetooth phone and navigation info, or to post your own pictures by uploading them from a USB drive.
One thing that is different about the 2012 Civic is the steering-wheel buttons used to control the i-MID system.
First Drive: 2012 Honda Civic Si
The four-way rocker switch with a center source button looks very iPod-like, and the "i" button above it is used to skip through the various modes: audio, vehicle info, photos and such.
We got a hands-on demo at the Honda stand in a cutaway version of the 2012 Civic Hybrid and shot the video below. The i-MID feature will be available in every Civic model except the base DX.
imag1 says:
03:35 PM, 04/20/11
New safety feature.
New driver distraction.
Repeat.
bonzjr says:
03:37 PM, 04/20/11
Can I use the i-MID to put up wallpaper pics of more interesting cars to look at while I drive?
moparbad says:
03:51 PM, 04/20/11
There should be a camera on the front of the Civic to display a picture in the i-Mid of what the distracted driver is about to hit.
Only a matter of time until someone hacks the i-MID to display video and internet.
aznraptor says:
10:33 PM, 04/20/11
useful for a back-up camera maybe?
cutestangchick says:
09:43 AM, 04/21/11
Help! My dashboard is being swallowed by a giant plastic flap!
zeniff says:
11:02 AM, 04/21/11
Man, I wish Honda would return to their old ways from a decade ago. It is getting really, really hard to like Honda anymore. Every time you read a story, it's just a waste of time.
n2guru says:
11:07 AM, 04/21/11
Looks like this belongs on the set of a 90's Star Trek pod. Guess you'd have to be a FUGLY alien to be seen in this...LOL
stovt001 says:
12:24 PM, 04/21/11
So its a trip computer with a few extra distractions built in and an ugly execution.
Honda, how you disappoint me so.
volksboy says:
03:55 AM, 04/22/11
The interior has UGLY written all over it.
bodyblue says:
11:21 AM, 04/22/11
I dont think the dash is that bad of a design as looks go....just the look of the plastic it is made of. I like how it is slanted towards the driver....al la 1970 Pontiac Grand Prix.
j33p says:
03:27 PM, 04/22/11
This dash would have even looked ugly in 1992. REALLY HONDA? This is it? NEXT!
humercedes says:
12:22 PM, 04/23/11
The MID debuted on the 09 Pilot Touring, not the Odyssey... I remember Hondas always lacked an OBC until I test drove the Pilot Touring upon its redesign...
robs249 says:
01:47 PM, 04/23/11
I sat in the Civic at the Autoshow...it was really nothing special. They could of done so much better. I really don't like Honda's interiors. My moms Accord drives me nuts with all the damn buttons! It's a headache to just turn the heat or ac on. My moms not a fan of it either. The Civic's interior is simple at least, but just was too bland. Same can be said for the exterior as well.
ant14 says:
05:56 AM, 04/24/11
The interior is easily outclassed by anything from a Focus, to dare I say, a Cruze. Times are a'changing alright. "Double Din" radio screws yester-decade, the A/C controls look as if it was an aftermarket afterthought. The huge tachometer seems to be focal point, and as mentioned before the instruments are being swallowed by a brow. Nice interior if this were the late 90s....
jscion says:
05:47 PM, 04/24/11
Honda really didn't try hard at all with the new Civic. I'll admit I like it more each time I look at it but there are about a dozen or so cars that catch my attention more.
carlos20 says:
08:00 AM, 04/25/11
People really miss 90s 80s Hondas. But new Hondas are critized for no being revolutionary,
dated interiors, old engines tec. Well Honda are listening to his customers 80S interior.
90s Engines, earlys 2000 design etc. What people really want for a Honda. ?.Let be real.
maddiegirlxo says:
04:52 PM, 06/13/11
In my household we have 3 civics one of which is the 2012. While you might think the iMID is a distraction it is not as you do not need to look to the center of the dash to control radio etc. Any settings changes etc on the iMID screen are not accessible while the car is in motion, only radio control & changing screen to clock which you can do without looking at the screen. Say what you will about the appearance of the dash but it is very driver friendly. While there other cars with more bells & whistles you cannot argue with Honda's reliability and resale value. The new Civic offers a smoother and quieter ride than previous model years. Depending on your preference this could be a good or bad thing.