Consumer Report says....too low to be recommended

Nomar06

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http://autos.yahoo.com/news/consume...a-civic-scores-too-low-to-be-recommended.html


We have seen a number of redesigned models do worse in our overall road-test score than the ones they replaced. But the 2012 Honda Civic sets a new mark. That highly anticipated redesign dropped a whopping 17 points— from a very good 78 to a mediocre 61. The Civic was once one of our highest-rated small sedans and was our Top Pick in that category as recently as 2007, but it now scores too low to be recommended.

:sadbanana:
 
jasonandre

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Compared with its predecessor, the 2012 Civic is less agile and has lower interior quality. It also suffers from a choppy ride, long stopping distances, and pronounced road noise.
Cost-cutting is apparent throughout the Civic's interior, from the cheap headliner and ubiquitous hard plastics to the unlined trunk lid.
While other models, including the class-leading Hyundai Elantra, have gotten better after being redesigned, the Civic now ranks near the bottom of its category. It's ahead of only the Volkswagen Jetta, which plunged 16 points after its own recent redesign.
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I think these are legitimate reasons to not recommend the LX. The article linked is missing the fact that they are only rating the LX model. Now I have no idea if the upper lines have any improvements in what was mentioned above, but I do remember everyone complaining about the same issues in the prior model.
 
Sergio Eddie

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Do any of you new Civic owners agree with what they're saying and the general luke warm response the new Civic has gotten lately? When you bought it, did you look at other cars and how did the Civic come out on top if it's so "terrible"?
 
webby

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I think size is also a consideration. Go sit in a corolla, elantra, focus... and sit in the civic. Let me know which one has more room in the front and back seats. For people who USE the back seats, I don't think there is a comparison
 
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American Honda Disagrees With Consumer Reports’ Findings

According to latest reports, the all-new Civic compact of Honda Motor Corporation has very poorly scored in its road tests, therefore the influential Consumer Reports magazine is not recommending it. The critical pan of the Consumer Reports, deals a blow to the redesigned Civic. The launch of the redesigned car was disrupted when a massive earth quake struck Japan in the month of March.

According to analysts, Honda is having a rough patch, which is very unusual. The analysts also stated that in restoring the production of the vehicle, Honda has been lagging its Japanese rivals. Honda was counting on the Civic. It was one of the mainstays in its lineup to pick up the momentum. Reports show that this car was accounted for about a quarter of its sales in United States, last year.

Civic was included among the “Top Picks” of the Consumer Reports for five of the past ten years. According to Consumer Reports, the new Civic LX sedan’s score was seventeen points less as compared with its predecessor.

The senior director of the auto test center of the Consumer Reports, David Champion, stated that unlike other models, the Civic has dropped so much and currently it ranks near the bottom of its category. He also noted that the third recent model of Honda that has scored too low is the Civic. As it has scored too low therefore the Consumer Reports magazine has not recommended it.

The director of the auto test center of the Consumer Reports commented that the redesigned car has a good reliability but it has disappointed them with its performance. According to the test drivers of the magazine, the quality of the interior of the redesigned car had deteriorated, it is less agile and noisier as compared with the previous Civic.
 
webby

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and look at this

Today, Cars.com explicitly recommended the new Civic.

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2011/08/carscom-recommends-the-2012-honda-civic.html

Cars.com Recommends the 2012 Honda Civic​

Yesterday, Consumer Reports announced it would no longer recommend the Honda Civic after its 2012 redesign.​

The editorial staff at Cars.com has tested various versions of the 2012 Honda Civic over hundreds of real-world miles, and today, we still recommend the car to consumers.

We recommend it for numerous reasons including its terrific mileage, comfortable cabin, top safety scores, high resale value and a long track record of reliability. When the class is so competitive, these factors are what many car shoppers focus on.

In our review of the 2012 Civic we did note that the interior was a step back from the heights of the 2011 Civic. In terms of ride, the new Civic actually is more comfortable than before, but it sacrifices sporty handling in the process.​

In a recent Cars.com Shootout we pitted the Civic — an LX model with 15-inch wheels and tires, which is what Consumer Reports tested — against the redesigned 2012 Ford Focus, 2011 Kia Forte, 2011 Chevy Cruze and 2011 Hyundai Elantra. The Civic came in second to the Elantra and was well-ahead of the rest of the group in our scoring.​

It was praised for superb visibility, front and rear seat comfort, and acceleration. “The Civic’s automatic is among the group’s most responsive,” Cars.com editor Kelsey Mays said.​

The 2012 Civic, which gets an EPA-estimated 28/39 mpg city/highway, returned mileage of 36.8 mpg in our Shootout mileage test that mixed city and highway driving. It topped the Shootout competitors, besting the Elantra at 34.5 mpg. With gas prices still hovering near $4 nationally, the Civic is one of the most efficient non-hybrid models that can fit five people.​

The 2012 Civic has been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This is IIHS’ highest safety award. The federal government has not yet tested the new Civic.​

Consumer Reports with its well-earned history of studying car reliability gave the previous Honda Civic sedan its top score for predicted reliability the past three years, and the 2012 earns a Better Than Average score. No other compact car scores higher with Consumer Reports.​

Automotive Leasing Guide currently rates the 2012 Civic at 58% residual value for a three-year lease. The segment average is 49%. Residual scores directly impact resale values down the line.​

While it may have flaws, the 2012 Honda Civic is still one of the best cars in its class and should be on any short list for compact-car shoppers.​
 
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I can tell you that I test drove a 2012 Focus and a 2012 Chevy Cruze when I was shopping for my Civic and honestly the Civic was the best of the bunch.

I bought the EX-L with Navi, so my interior is set up a bit differently than the EX, but I really don't know what all the differences are between the two. I have to disagree with Consumer Reports... while I never tested a 2011 Civic for comparison, I have a really hard time believing that the 2012 is so much worse that it warrants a 17 point drop. I'd like to believe I'm a pretty reliable source, considering I was dead-set against buying an import and I've never owned one before. Right off the bat, I was biased towards the Focus and the Cruze. That's how much better the Civic was, from my perspective.

The way I rationalize it is this: The Civic will have the best reliability, and also the best resale value of any of the competitors. So, I love the car now (apparently a "cheap" interior is relative, because it looks anything but cheap to me) and it's going to be in good shape and last longer than the others. I guess I'll have to be reminded why it's the worst of the bunch?
 
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the ex-l will have leather interior, where they tested a civic with the cloth interior. You have a better radio, leather steering wheel, heated seats, audio controls on the wheel... bluetooth, and then exterior changes in the wheels, 4 wheel disc brakes, etc. Glad to hear you're liking yours though
 
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John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda Motor Co., sent an email to dealers earlier this week noting that, “sometimes you disagree even with those for whom you have the greatest respect. And it seems as if that is what has occurred with the Consumer Reports review of the 2012 Honda Civic LX.” In his email to Honda dealers, Mendel said, “We fundamentally disagree with their suggestion that Civic doesn’t rank among their recommended small cars.”

Mendel noted that the magazine lauded the Civic for its high fuel economy marks and safety features. He also told dealers that, “among many other very positive reviews of the Civic lineup, Motor Trend magazine recently tested eight compact cars, including Civic. The respected auto enthusiast magazine -– which knows a thing or two about ride and handling –- ranked Civic second among eight compact cars in the comparison drive. Many would be thrilled with this result. However, we disagree with Motor Trend as well –- we think there is no better compact car than Civic."
 
Sergio Eddie

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I test drove an EX sedan. Is there that much of a difference between the DX, LX and EX models and then SI models also? Don't they all have the same "hard" interior and whatnot? What am I missing? Someone inform me please. And I mean big stuff, not small features.....
 
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Sergio Eddie said:
I test drove an EX sedan. Is there that much of a difference between the DX, LX and EX models and then SI models also? Don't they all have the same "hard" interior and whatnot? What am I missing? Someone inform me please. And I mean big stuff, not small features.....
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webby said:
the ex-l will have leather interior, where they tested a civic with the cloth interior. You have a better radio, leather steering wheel, heated seats, audio controls on the wheel... bluetooth, and then exterior changes in the wheels, 4 wheel disc brakes, etc. Glad to hear you're liking yours though
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http://automobiles.honda.com/civic/

go there ^^ click on the style you want, and then on the next page that loads: click on the trim models on the left. As you go from the top listed trim down to the bottom, it mentions what each trim adds on to the previous trim.

The SI models are entirely different. You're talking about a different engine, transmission, interior etc. 2.4 liter 201 horsepower, and 170 torque. The "non si" has 140hp.
 
Sergio Eddie

Sergio Eddie

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webby said:
http://automobiles.honda.com/civic/

go there ^^ click on the style you want, and then on the next page that loads: click on the trim models on the left. As you go from the top listed trim down to the bottom, it mentions what each trim adds on to the previous trim.

The SI models are entirely different. You're talking about a different engine, transmission, interior etc. 2.4 liter 201 horsepower, and 170 torque. The "non si" has 140hp.
Click to expand...

Now I see. Even as an avid Civic lover, didn't think there was too much difference besides little stuff. I knew the SI was different but didn't pay it too much mind. I see......well I guess with them, the LX wasn't good enough. I still think it's a fine car. I really want a coupe. After school finishes, I'm going shopping!!!
 
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