New 2012 Honda Civic lineup boosts fuel economy in all models; Hybrid and HF offer 40+ mpg
18 February 2011
The entire redesigned ninth-generation Honda Civic lineup will become more fuel efficient with two models—the all-new 2012 Honda Civic HF and the Civic Hybrid—each delivering fuel economy estimates of more than 40 mpg (5.9 L/100km) on the highway.
The Civic HF model will be the most fuel-efficient gasoline-only powered Civic in the lineup when it launches this spring. Equipped with a 140 hp (104 kW), 1.8-liter i-VTEC engine, the Civic HF is targeted to earn EPA-estimated fuel economy of 41 mpg (5.74 L/100km) on the highway. The 2012 Civic Hybrid, which will be outfitted for the first time with a lithium-ion battery and a larger 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine, is expected to achieve an EPA-estimated city/highway combined fuel economy of 45 mpg (5.23 L/100km), an improvement of 4 mpg compared to the current Civic Hybrid.
Both the Civic HF and Civic Hybrid models will be equipped with aerodynamic components for improved efficiency and Honda ECO Assist technology, which can enhance efficient vehicle operation while providing feedback to promote more efficient individual driving styles.
In addition to the Civic HF and Civic Hybrid models, the Civic Sedan, Civic Coupe and Civic GX Natural Gas models are also estimated to achieve improved fuel economy compared to the current models. The Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe achieve an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 39 mpg (6 L/100km) on the highway, an improvement of 3 mpg when compared to the current model. The Civic Natural Gas vehicle is anticipated to earn a 7% improvement in fuel economy compared to the current model. The Civic Sedan, Civic Coupe and Civic Natural Gas models will all be equipped with the Honda ECO Assist technology.
Along with improved fuel economy, the new Civic lineup also delivers more performance, particularly with the Civic Si. The Civic Si sedan and coupe models will be equipped with a larger, more powerful 2.4-liter engine as well as a new 6-speed manual transmission. The new engine is anticipated to deliver 200 hp (149 kW) with 170 lb-ft (230 N·m) of torque. Even with the larger engine and a 22% increase in torque, Civic Si is targeted to achieve an EPA-estimated highway fuel economy of 31 mpg (7.6 L/.100km); an increase of 2 mpg when compared to the current model.
More details will be available closer to launch.
So the civic si gets a bigger engine and produces... the same power with a slightly beefier torque curve? I'm underwhelmed. The rest of the lineup seems pretty solid though. I'm interested to see where the hybrid comes in on pricing.
Posted by: GreenPlease | 18 February 2011 at 09:17 AM
Good to see a return of the HF, and Li-ion with the hybrid.
I wonder if you could get the best of all worlds by turbo charging the 1.5 IMA and offering that with a 6spd manual?
Posted by: 3PeaceSweet | 18 February 2011 at 09:31 AM
@3PS: Exactly what Honda should do with the CR-Z.
Posted by: Nick Lyons | 18 February 2011 at 10:54 AM
Looks like the 2012 Honda Civic, without using GDI, stratospheric compression ratio or 'DSG', will achieve similar fuel mileage to that of a 2012 Mazda3 with SKYACTIV technologies, according to this Car and Driver article:
"Mazda has impressively leapfrogged its previous gas engine, to the tune of estimated EPA fuel-economy ratings in a Sky-equipped Mazda 3 of 30 mpg city and 39 to 40 highway."
Posted by: Pierre | 19 February 2011 at 08:15 AM
FWIW, the Mazda has substantially more power than the Honda. The standard 2012 Mazda 3 has power comparable to the Civic Si.
Posted by: GreenPlease | 19 February 2011 at 08:43 AM
@GP: FWIW, the Mazda3 that Car and Driver wrote about:
"Premium, 91-octane fuel is required for the Sky’s not-so-staggering 163 hp at 6000 rpm and 155 lb-ft at 4000, but Mazda is proud of its exceptionally wide torque band for enhanced real-world drivability. To enable running on regular gas, the U.S. version will have a compression ratio of 13:1, which means fuel economy and torque will diminish by about 3 to 5 percent"
If I'm not mistaken, I think it is hardly comparable to 200 hp Si, even without taking into account the adverse effect of 'tuning' (i.e. ~155 hp to 158 hp) for U.S. regular fuel.
Posted by: Pierre | 19 February 2011 at 10:53 AM
Nick, I'd see a return from the dead of the original Insight with the 1 lite/ 3 cylinder IMA fitted with turbo, DI and a Li-ion/Poly battey
Posted by: 3PeaceSweet | 19 February 2011 at 11:07 AM
Is this Honda back where it was 40 years ago as far as fuel consumption is concern? Good recovery?
Posted by: HarveyD | 20 February 2011 at 09:50 AM
Today's Civics are to the old ones as today's Jetta is to a Beetle.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 20 February 2011 at 12:23 PM
A
Posted by: Arne | 21 February 2011 at 02:24 PM
And still, can't help thinking that it's introduced two years after the current Prius, they had plenty of opportunity to introduce the latest technology. And it's still not as fuel efficient.
Posted by: Arne | 21 February 2011 at 02:27 PM
Anne, do you have a blog? Can you post the URL?
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 21 February 2011 at 06:08 PM