So we got a 2012 Honda Civic
Well, looks like we’ve landed an exclusive. This here is the first 2012 Honda Civic to be reviewed in the UAE. After months of spy photos by readers spotting these mysterious cars all over Dubai, the Japanese firm has finally gone official with their new compact contender.
It may look largely the same in shape, but there are some changes. For one, the wheelbase has been shortened by 30 mm, while the windshield is more steeply raked for more cabin space.
What’s not the same is the styling. The front and rear design cues have decidedly taken a conservative turn, for better or worse.
The interior, very familiar with its two-tier gauges, is actually fully redesigned. The dash and upper door sills are now some sort of “high quality” hard plastic that don’t feel too hollow when drummed on, but we’ll miss the soft-touch materials in the old cabin. Thankfully, the elbow-rests are now much better padded than before, so it has improved where it counts.
Those fancy gauges just got fancier. There is now that blue-green colour-coded indicator alongside the digital speeedometer that tells you how economically you’re driving. Now there is also a smaller full-colour screen to the right, showing radio stations, trip readings, Bluetooth settings, rear camera view and more.
The leather-clad VTi model at least looks premium, and space is not an issue. The seats are adjusted manually.
Rear-seat space is excellent for a compact sedan, almost reaching midsize levels of space. There are no prominent features back here though, such as rear a/c vents and the like, but there is a pull-down armrest with cup-holders. The rear armrests are padded, unlike some other competitors that skimp out with hard plastics.
The boot is very generous, with two buttons back there to fold down the 60/40-split rear seats.
It is obvious what kind of market Honda is targeting with the new Civic. Whine all you want about how it looks, but the Civic became a best-seller for reasons other than its looks. The driving feel has been dumbed down for more comfort, but not as much as you’d think. About the only thing wrong with it is pricing, which apparently can’t be helped. More on that in the full review soon.
Comments
Faisal Khatib
Is it me or does that interior looks lame…with your normal non photoshopped photos…
Fazl
poor interior, pathetic exterior and shameful pricing…
Rahul Jones
The audio control bulge looks like Taxi company upgrade.
Shiv
It just looks like a more roomier City. And the styling might look attractive in official photos, it just looks bland and plain boring in real life. From the front passengers view, they are going to be bored – there’s nothing to look at apart from a few buttons. But then again, Honda’s are reliable – no doubt it’s going to sell. It’s a shame, they could have done so much better.
marwan
This car looks better in person but the rear side is really hideous.
@Mashfique..Please any idea whether the Civic 2012 is comming to the UAE?
marwan
oppss i mean Civic 2012 COUPE..:D
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
No it ain’t.
Alex107
it is just me or this car on the side looks like a 2010 corolla and from that back it have a 2003-2006 Toyota Camery lights add to that it looks in the front and the side mirrors positions is really low what added an ugly edition to the Ugliest Car for the Year 2011 -2012
i will shade my eyes away each time i see this car Passing by , what a shame Honda have just destroy a Legend Legacy was called once upon a time Civic
Farhan
is this Honda Civic or Accent?
I feel accent is better option….
Civic Price 🙁
farrukh
exterior look like Chrysler Neon..
Xalan Mustafa
the fixed X large merc e class rear lights there
PradoTLC
boring car….
Zaheer Abbas
Like Hyundai ‘fluidic’ design, Honda is trying with ‘CITY’ design… Expecting Accord to be little more than new civic with ‘CITY’ design for an affordable price 130 K.
MH
Civic 2012 or corolla 2012??
which one is better
U.D
this might b the ugliest civic in 20 years…………… they shudnt hv made sumin lyk dis for 2012 this model wud hv been great in 2001 or sumin…… for nw the new corrola Altis with DOHC dual vvti engine nd great looks is a much better option
U.D
front side rear back they dont mach with each other overall look realy sucks……..(comenting once wasnt enuf for dis shyt)
Shahzad Haider
Look at the Dashboard it reminds me Nissan Tidda. I think 80% is same like that. Look at the buttons in center. This we will get in 68+k AED. ohhh man……
aaron
Honda has lost the plot, i use to own a Honda integra Type r dc2 in Nz was an amazing car, took their latest accord coupe for a test drive, its nothing like the older honda’s, they were the company who made lightweight highpower Na engined cars nsx s2k, integra type r, accord euro/type r, civic type r, even the prelude was good, now sadly they are Toyota with an H badge
ROJ
Well Said, exactly..
Hondas have been cars that provide spirited driving by nature… Now they just copped out and ditched this ideology..
nabeal malik
i have always thot of that the city front profile dosnt matches with its rear.. now i also think the same way with the civic..
i guess either hyundai is paying honda n toyota to look ugly or they them self want hyundai to sell more cars.. deff elentra looks better and will be a better car..
but still civic will sell more no matter how much they charge.. either i am mad or ppl who will spend 90000 for it.. i ll get a sonata if i were to spend this much money..
Khalid
Are japanese trying to copy kia????