2012 Honda Civic hatch on sale in Australia | CarAdvice

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2012 Honda Civic hatch on sale in Australia

HONDA CIVIC
By Tim Beissmann
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The Honda Civic hatch has been launched in Australia with a sharp new look, added technology and, crucially, a more competitive starting price.

Priced from $22,650 before on-road costs, the entry-level Civic hatch VTi-S manual is more than $7000 cheaper than the old Civic Si, which was available as a single variant from $29,990.

The new pricing brings the hatch more in line with the recently launched Honda Civic sedan, which ranges from $20,990 for the VTi-L manual to $27,990 for the Sport automatic.

For the price, the Civic hatch VTi-S comes with 16-inch alloy wheels and a space saver spare; LED daytime running lights, side indicators, and tail-lights; climate control; driver’s seat height adjustment; intelligent multi-information display system; and a four-speaker audio system with AUX and USB ports. The optional automatic transmission adds $2300.

It’s a reasonable starting specification, although it’s a bit of a let down that Bluetooth phone connectivity is an option and cruise control is unavailable.

To get those features standard you have to step up $5040 to the high-grade, auto-only Civic hatch VTi-L, which also scores larger 17-inch alloys, automatic headlights, fog lights, electric folding side mirrors, dual-zone climate control, rear-view camera, drilled alloy sports pedals, leather upholstery and leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, rear armrest with cup holders, and a seven-speaker premium audio system.

Reversing sensors are optional, although features like satellite navigation and a sunroof are not available.

The standard safety package has been awarded the maximum five stars by ANCAP, and includes six airbags (dual front, side and curtains) and electronic stability control, and a number of other active and passive features.

Under the bonnet sits a mildly retuned 1.8-litre petrol engine with 104kW of power (at 6500rpm) and 174Nm of torque (at 4300rpm) – up 1kW from before.

Like the sedan, the big improvements have been made in efficiency, however, with the six-speed manual now 12 per cent more frugal at 6.1 litres per 100km on the combined cycle, and the five-speed automatic 10 per cent better than before at 6.5L/100km.

CarAdvice is at the local launch of the 2012 Honda Civic hatch today. Stay tuned for our first drive review, coming soon.

2012 Honda Civic hatch prices:

  • VTi-S manual – $22,650 ($24,990 driveaway)
  • VTi-S automatic – $24,950 ($27,290 driveaway)
  • VTi-L automatic – $29,990

 

  • Pirate Post Office

    This is more like it Honda! This car deserves to succeed and is a great alternative to an i30.

    • F1MotoGP

       Yes but same engine. Just like Corolla engines getting very old. Where is the direct injection, turbo or the long time promised diesel.

      • K20A

        add to that list independent rear suspension..

        torsion beam aside.. this is a decent car and Honda Australia should be congratulated for not setting the entry price at $39,990 :)

      • Ols

        They did say that the diesel wouldn’t be part of the initial launch models. I’m definitely looking forward to the diesel too.

        • F1MotoGP

           I remember Honda was saying it for 3-6 years for Accord Euro. Still no diesel.

          • Rntt

            Honda is developing a new diesel under Honda-Dream-Tech..

            The motor itself is a very small 1.6L displacement and makes 300Nm of torque.. It’s also the lightest diesel engine..

          • M.

            Honda Earth Dreams *

          • F1MotoGP

             Yes I know, Honda officially unveiled its new 1.6-litre diesel engine at the Geneva motor show. I hope will will get it :)

          • derkus

            Looks like a cracker of a diesel. Can’t wait.

      • Mr Frobisher

        I don’t mind because the engine runs on 91 RON and is reliable.  Sure its not high tech like the VW Twincharger, but then again reliability is probably significantly better.

    • vid_ghost_borg

      And it comes with – side indicators, and tail-light WOW, they really out did themselves with those features!

      • Sr145

         Ha! You got ripped!
         My sister just bought a Mazda 2 Neo manual for $15,500 drive away also in NSW

        • Gan Tan

           he said Mazda 3 you troll

          • vid_ghost_borg

             and its an auto with a but load of extras! lol

  • Able

    It’s just criminal to think that because I want a manual I have to basically buy a Civic with practically no equipment. 

    • Crummydore

      I agree, I would love to know the reason why a manual can’t be offered with the higher grade .

      Can this be answered Tim?

  • gt86.com.au

    Cool looking cars, but the engine is a huge letdown, as is the lack of Dual Clutch auto. Even Hyundai have overtaken Honda. Such a shame, as they used to be the hi-tech company…Power of dreams my @(#*@(*

    • M.

      Power Of Dreams no more you say? How about:
      ASIMOHondaJetEarthDreams EnginesFCX Clarit 
      …all innovative products currently being developed!

      And you’d suggest a DCT auto for a 1.8l petrol engine in a city hatch? This isn’t a sports car!

    • Guest

       Why bother with a DCT on a small car? or an auto full stop? The biggest disappointment in all Hondas these days is the fact that the top spec models dont come in a manual.

      • Junovidor

        Exactly right mate. I’m so keen to get this car but can’t make up my mind. I’ve been driving all my life manual cars because I enjoy much driving and it’s not possible to get any sort of enjoyment from an automatic transmission.
        I even wrote to Honda Australia about this issue a couple of weeks ago and I’m waiting for their reply. They really should provide to the australian drivers who select the top spec model the two different gear boxes- manual and auto versions -that they already fit the VTi-S variant.
        I’m 62 and I’ll stick only to a manual gear box – like thousands of other aussie drivers – no matter what but it’s a great shame that many Honda prospect buyers will miss the car that they dream of because of this miscalculation.
        Maybe we, the australian drivers that think likewise, should all write to Honda Australia and ask them what sort of  “Power of Dreams” they think we australians deserve? Not less for sure than all the “Power” the european drivers are entitled to and get from the local Honda branch.

  • Phunken

     know its coming from the UK and the price is better than before but compare with the competition Honda seem to be a bit stinchy. The styling is less adventurous than the last gen. Better off in the better looking i30.

  • Shurkes

    At last, thank God! In Europe it is sold, at least since 2008.

    • Irkes

      This model? This model was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2011.

  • hayski

    Agreed. Why wouldn’t a top spec model buyer also want a manual? This ruled out Euro and CRZ for me. Luckily the wife wants an auto. For me, I’ll move on to something else.

  • O123

    CA why show photos with Sat nav then say its unavailable? Honda has pics of the normal interior on their website

  • Guest

    A much better effort than the DM3 (Dowdy model #3) sedan “styled” for the Yanks.

  • Schn

    At least it’s better than the sedan. It actually looks new! 

  • Lbrinsmead

    I think this design is the right compromise to improve upon the previous generation’s revolutionary design. Shouldn’t revolutionary only happen occasionally to make something more special and unique as well as to sustain a previous model’s credibility and value?

    What we need now is a mega comparison between the best and most popular hatches like the 3, Corolla, i30, Focus, Golf and Civic.

  • Galaxy

    A car without bluetooth audio streaming as standard in 2012 or without cruise control is a big mistake and is a deal-breaker for me. Given that the performance is just a single OHC, you may as well get the equally impressive i30 mid model with sat nav, cruise, b/tooth, auto lights, wiper, rear camera, assist sensors etc and everything for $24k. At least it has 6 speed auto (if auto is what u want). I’d rather have a Hyundai made in Korea than a Honda made in UK.

  • Guest

    I’m waiting to test drive the new i30 (not at the local dealer yet) and the new honda hatch ( another 2 weeks before they get one in) but i am driving a new golf this weekend to see what it is like, a 1.4t petrol. I need a new car and this the 3 im looking at .   

    • pixxxels

      Why no focus?

      • guest

        It just does nothing for me. Others might like it and it has a lot of kit but it’s not for me.   

  • Gidc

    I though this had projector headlamps?

    Anyway I saw the new i30 the other day and I was underwhelmed, the back looked ugly and the front looked grumpy.. and so did the rear end..

    The previous i30 looked alright when it was first released but it aged quite quickly, and GED poorly like all Hyundai dramatic designs.. Seriously the Corolla hatch looks better then i30, current rolla

    • Galaxy

      you must be kidding if you think Corolla looks better than the new i30.  Take a look at the interior quality and then compare the Corolla – it looks like from the 90s vs i30.  Japanese cars have really hit the cheapie looks lately, and I’m sure the cars we’re seeing around these days are due to the GFC difficulties. Now Honda and all Jap car companies have to reduce their prices and even be cheaper (god forbid) than Korean cars in order to flog these cost cutting versions they rely on a brand name to sell to suckers.  Hyundai and VW are the only brands setting the pace in mass market cars these days and good on them.

  • Rightindicators

    Price is getting alot better. But things from the UK are still LHD centric. You can tell from some of the way the console controls is laid out and also the e-brake. Not a big fan of the two levels of instrumentation cluster. Could have use conventional cluster and HUD on screen.

    • Guest#1

      Still there is no Honda I want to buy.. With My S2000 getting old i’ve been hanging on for something like the cool Honda’s I fell in love with..
      370Z looks like its going to be taking its place and that will be my first non Honda ever.

  • Guest#1

    Sorry that wasnt a reply to Rightindicators just a general comment

  • Guest-Jazz

    Well, looks like I’ll just upgrade my Jazz GD to a Golf R manual …. lack of cruise control and bluetooth were the deal breaker for me !!!!

  • Morpheus

    A few months ago I was all set to buy one of these on its release – until I saw the spec levels with auto only. Check out the Honda UK website and see what spec levels they get there.
    The only thing more pathetic is the Civic sedan “sport” with no manual trans. WTF???
    C’mon Honda, lift yer game.

  • Shak

    I finally saw a new i30 yesterday and wow they look stunning in the metal. It was in that light blue colour they show in the ads and wow it looked very good.

    On the Civic, everything looks good, but to me the interior is too fussy.

  • JamesB

    The price cut is welcome, but with the Toyota 86 coming out with the same price, only zero-IQ nuts are going to buy this. But then again, Commodores sell.

    • Lbrinsmead

      Actually it’s been reported that many people in the UK who own a Honda have a higher-than-average IQ.