2012 Honda Civic: Efficiency at its finest

It depends perhaps upon one's affection for cars, but the biggest compliment to be paid to the 2012 Honda Civic is its utter lack of flash.

Now in its ninth generation, the redesigned Civic is the automotive equivalent of beige. It's a well-engineered wallflower with a no-muss, no-fuss driving experience. And I mean that in the best way possible.

There's a reason almost 9 million Honda Civics have been sold in the U.S. since this compact car was introduced in 1973, most notably its extreme sensibility. Not only is it affordable, it's reliable. The latest generation Civic continues those themes, adding increased fuel economy and options.

Starting at $16,355, the 2012 Civic gives drivers more significant choices than the number of doors or the type of transmission or interior amenities. Different versions are powered with gas, natural gas and hybrid drivetrains.

There's also a high-performance, 2.4-liter, 201-horsepower version called the Si with a six-speed manual transmission, as well as a new aerodynamically optimized high-efficiency model called the HF that, according to EPA estimates, squeezes up to 41 miles per gallon from its standard 140-horsepower, 1.8-liter engine.

At this time, only the Civic Sedan, Coupe and Hybrid are available at dealers; the Si, HF and natural gas versions have later on-sale dates. A Honda Motor Co. spokesman has said that Civic production, along with most Honda model production, has been affected by parts supply issues stemming from the March earthquake in Japan.

I was testing the highest-end Civic Sedan, the $24,205 EX-L -- a five-passenger, four-door car that is one of the more technologically tricked-out versions designed for the types who would stand in line at the Apple store awaiting the latest gadget.

The center stack display is upgraded with a new 16-gigabyte navigation system that responds to more than 700 voice commands and incorporates an outrageous 10 million points of interest. FM Traffic, which provides real-time traffic information over the radio without a subscription, is new for 2012.

But the biggest news with the 2012 Civic, as with most cars that are actually selling in this era of cringingly high gas prices, is fuel economy. It's 10 percent more fuel-efficient than its predecessor.

An added benefit of several aerodynamic improvements is noise reduction.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the Civic EX-L gets 32 mpg combined highway and city driving. I averaged just 26.7 over the 123 miles I drove the car -- and that was employing the Econ feature for most of the time. Pushing the green button on the dashboard, just to the left of the steering wheel, makes the throttle feel as if it's been shot with Novocain. Its response is less immediate, which is only bad if you drive as I do: impatiently.

The most, which is to say, only, truly eye-catching feature of the new Civic is its dashboard. Futuristic looking, it is gauged in bright blue. It is also customizable with wallpaper, similar to the screen of a computer or cellphone. Pictures can be uploaded and displayed on the dashboard through the USB port in the driver's armrest.

Forward-thinking and fuel efficiency are important. Personally, I like a touch of flash in what I drive. But the ride quality is solid, its handling effortless, its suspension comfortable without being too squishy or too firm. The 2012 Honda Civic is about as unpretentious as it gets. 

2012 Honda Civic

Base price: $16,355 (including destination charge)

Price as tested: $24,205 (including destination charge)

Powertrain: Multipoint fuel injection, 1.8-liter, in-line four-cylinder, four valves per cylinder, i-VTEC intelligent valve control system, SOHC, five-speed automatic, continuously variable transmission

Torque: 128 pound-feet at 4,300 rpm

Horsepower: 140 at 6,500 rpm

Wheelbase: 105.1 inches

Overall length: 177.3 inches

Curb weight: 2,773 pounds

Zero to 60: 9.2 seconds

EPA fuel economy: 28 mpg city/39 mpg highway

Final thoughts: Unpretentious performer