Consumer Reports: 2012 Honda Civic scores too low to be recommended

August 1, 2011May 21, 2012 Omar Rana 2012, Civic, Compact Cars, Consumer Reports, Coupes, Honda Civic, Honda Civic Sedan, Sedans

Honda’s future is very much in question. The Japanese make is well known for making fun, reliable, well-built and attractive cars for an affordable price. But as time has progressed, we’ve observed that Honda and their luxury subsidiary, Acura, have resorted to riding on their reputation and have cut many corners on their cars as of recent. It’s a damn shame. And to add insult to injury, Honda’s latest Civic scored too low on Consumer Reports’ latest comparison, in which they said the Civic rates too low to be recommended. A Honda too low to be recommended? That should be a big red flag for the Japanese make that says: “You’re doing it wrong!”

Specifically, the resdesigned Civic LX’s score dropped an entire 17 points to a mediocre 61 out of 100, versus last generation’s 78. Consumer Reports said that the latest Civic’s handling is too pedestrian with a lower ride quality than its predecessor. Additionally, long stopping distances and pronounced road noise pin the current Civic in its deserved place.

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“While other models like the Hyundai Elantra have gotten better after being redesigned, the Civic has dropped so much that now it ranks near the bottom of its category,” said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center.

Placing just below the new Civic is the Volkswagen Jetta, which has equally received as poor of a review as the Civic. Out of the cars in its class, Consumer Reports recommended the redesigned 2012 Ford Focus and the new 2011 Hyundai Elantra.

Consumer Reports will be unveiling their full report on small sedans and hatchbacks for the 2011-year in its September issue of the magazine where other full-detailed reports on other cars will be provided.

Refresher: The 2012 Honda Civic Sedan is powered by a 1.8L inline 4-cylinder engine making 140-hp at 6,500 rpm and 128 lb-ft of torque of 4,300 rpm. The Civic Sedan gets an EPA-estimated fuel-economy rating of 28/39 mpg (city/highway) and 32 mpg combined when mated to an automatic transmission (standard on Civic EX Sedan and all EX-L models). A manual transmission is standard on the Civic DX and LX (automatic transmission available). Prices start at $15,805.