The Brand New Civic – The Basics

The all-new 2012 Honda Civic is here and it looks amazing. For those people looking for a car that marks the right crossover between a family sedan and a far sportier looking model, the new Civic is it. The car is available in seven different basic models: There’s the standard sedan, then there’s the slightly sleeker and sportier looking coupe, the Si sedan (slightly more refined), the Si coupe (ditto) and for the environmentally conscious motorists among us there’s the hybrid, or the high fuel-efficiency (HF) and a natural gas models.

With so many different models of the Civic available, the various trim level options can be a little confusing.  So, to simplify things, the basic DX coupe and sedan, both of which start around $15,600 offer few of the interior features as standard that you’re likely to want, including aircon or a radio. Meanwhile, the LX coupe and sedan models which are available for $17,885, have AM/FM radio and four speakers, with manual air-conditioning and power locking door. And for 2012, these models also come with steering wheel-mounted controls, USB audio and a color i-MID system, which integrates entertainment information and fuel economy data onto the dashboard.

And if you really want the whole works including Bluetooth, you’ll have to go up to Honda Civic’s EX trim level, which starts somewhere around $20,500.The hybrids are perhaps the most sensible choice of the whole range if you’re looking to keep your Civic for a good few years. And why wouldn’t you be doing just that? With Honda’s unrivalled reputation for reliability and sheer longevity, the hybrid could pay you back many times over in terms of gas costs. The HF and natural gas models will give you the same economy; it’s all down to personal taste.