Getting your player ready...
Two-doors continue to roll my direction, and I have a ’12 for you on the morning of 9-10-11.
Latest is the 2012 Honda Civic Coupe, following several others of that configuration in recent weeks – Nissan Altima, Infiniti GX37, Volkswagen GTI and Fiat 500.
Shortened and sloped sharply both front and back, the ninth-generation Civic Coupe has shed almost 50 pounds, its wheelbase has been shortened an inch (103.2) and its track is a narrow 59 inches. Most noticeable in its revised dimensions, though, is more shoulder width in the front-seating area.
It handles just fine, and continues with the same front-wheel-drive powertrain as a year ago, the little 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder engine and 5-speed manual transmission (5-speed automatic optional). Moderate pep is generated from the 140-horsepower, 128-lbs.-ft torque engine and manual tranny, which earned an EPA fuel-mileage rating of 28 in town and 36 on the highway.
Other than some wind noise at highway speeds, the ’12 Civic Coupe performed impressively on a Labor Day weekend drive, highlighted by the fun-to-drive, winding, two-lane Colo. 105 from Sedalia to Palmer Lake.
Lots of body lean is in evidence when speed is maintained through the many curves along the way; suspension is MacPherson strut in front and multilink at the rear. Steering isn’t as quick as those of the Ford Focus or Chevy Cruze sedans.
As we drove the Civic in to Palmer Lake, right there along the main drive through town for everyone to see was the Kaiser Frazer sign attached to a well-kept building. I remembered it from 11 years ago, when I drove the new 2000 BMW X5 sport ute to Palmer Lake and was fascinated by the old automobile sign. Beginning in 1946, Kaiser and Frazer automobiles were built for a few years; it was the post-World War II era, when anything on four wheels could be sold.
Our return drive was through Monument and on over to Colo. 83, then north through Franktown and Parker, with much heavier traffic than on 105. Lots of straightaways let the Civic cruise to high fuel-mileage readings, and helped boost its overall mpg to 34.2 for a week’s variety of road duty.
The Civic’s ride is very stable. As spacious as is the front-seat area, the rear seat is another matter. Though entry into the back seat is easier than many two-doors and the seat cushions are fairly comfortable, headroom is very limited. Trunk space is only 11.7 cubic feet.
The interior has somewhat of a cheap look from its hard plastic finish. A two-tiered instrument panel, with a digital speed readout and trip computer above and large tachometer below, is read easily.
The EX model, priced at $20,475, was well-equipped with sunroof, air conditioning, cruise, power windows/locks/mirrors, tilt/telescope steering wheel, variable intermittent windshield wipers, rear defroster, front-side and side-curtain airbags. Three speakers in the rear deck aided a good audio sound system, though the Civic lacked satellite radio.
For drivers who need a little more performance, the 2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe features a 201-hp, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder and 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission.
The Honda Civic was introduced in the summer of 1972 as a ’73 model; the first I reviewed was an ’81, priced at $5,348. That ’81 Civic, borrowed from Ralph Schomp Oldsmobile-Honda, weighed 1,800 pounds, compared with the 2012 Civic’s 2,681 pounds. Its wheelbase was only 88 inches and overall length 148 inches; the ’12 model has a wheelbase of 103.2 inches and overall length of 175.
Notes from e-mail
Q: Bud, your comments about the uncomfortable, tilting headrests in last Sunday’s Post hit home. In February, I purchased a new 2011 Jaguar XFR. My mother, who is 92 and needs a wheelchair, complained often that the headrest on the passenger seat was uncomfortable. I was never able to adjust it and now I know why. I wonder if new regulations really accomplish all that much for the price that must be paid, either financially or in personal hassle. – W.R.
A: We’ve all wondered that at times, Will. One of the first government directives to the automakers that I remember making an impact was that all automatic transmissions must have the same shift order; in other words, from Park to Reverse to Drive, etc. Before, it was whatever sequence the individual companies preferred.
Q: Bud, I was driving the hills near Nederland two weeks ago and saw the line of Cobras which you photographed in the parking lot of the Black Forest Restaurant. Do you know if they plan other drives? – H.V.
A: Yes, Harold, members of the Mile Hi Cobra Club have a drive planned to Grand Lake sometime this month. Of course, most of the beautiful sports cars are replica Cobras.
2012 Honda Civic Coupe
$20,475
(price as tested)
MPG City 28 Highway 36
Vehicle type: Compact coupe
Wheelbase: 103.2 inches
Length/Width/Height: 175.5/69/55 inches
Weight: 2,681 pounds
Engine: 1.8-liter 4-cylinder
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Fuel mileage: 34.2 mpg
Fuel tank: 13.2 gallons
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles basic; 5/60,000 powertrain
Competitors: Kia Forte, Volkswagen Golf, Nissan Altima, Toyota Corolla
Built at Alliston, Ontario, Canada
Parts content: U.S./Canadian 65 percent; Japan 20 percent
THE STICKER
$19,705 base
$775 Destination
PLUSES
Roomy front seat
Pricing
Sharp styling
Economy
MINUSES
Hard-plastic interior
Lack of rear headroom
Wind noise
The Civic’s ride is very stable. As spacious as is the front-seat area, the rear seat is another matter. Though entry into the back seat is easier than many two-doors and the seat cushions are fairly comfortable, headroom is very limited. Trunk space is only 11.7 cubic feet.
