Kelley Blue Book awarded the 2012 Honda Civic Coupe “2012 Best Redesigned Vehicle.” The innovative sporty exterior design of the Civic Coupe not only gives it great visual appeal, but helps to drastically reduce wind drag, thus increasing fuel efficiency. The 16” aluminum-alloy wheels and bold, new lines will have potential consumers wondering if they’re looking at a Honda or an legitimate sports car.
On the inside, consumers will notice a clean, but not overly elegant cabin. The dash and inside of the doors are made of plastic, and the seats and steering wheel are decorated in stylish leather. The ECON button, to the left of the steering wheel allows the driver to switch between different fuel consumption modes; be it fast, rip-roaring driving or a steady, consistent cruising speed, the 2012 Honda Civic Coupe can handle it all. Controls mounted on the steering wheel ensure that the driver can keep their full attention on the road. With Bluetooth capabilities, you can talk directly to callers through a microphone in the cabin, while listening to them through the speakers in the car. The dash-mounted screen provides both GPS navigation, as well as great music from the radio, MP3 or CD. The rear seats fold into a 60/40 split, which can maximize the cargo space, assuming you don’t have a car full of passengers.
While the tiny engine in this coupe isn’t going to win you any races, it surely will save you loads of time and money at the gas pump. The 1.8-liter 16-valve VTEC engine has a meager 140 horsepower, but more than makes up for that, with the ability to achieve 39 MPG on the highway and 28 in-town. This is due, largely in part to the decreased weight of the car, as well as innovative and aerodynamic exterior lines. The 5-speed automatic transmission provides a smooth ride, where the driver and passenger won’t even notice the change of gears.
Safety is always a top priority with Honda and the 2012 Civic Coupe seems to live up to these already high standards. It has Vehicle Stability Assist, which automatically corrects over or under-steering, by applying brakes and power to individual wheels. 4 antilock disc brakes ensure that the driver can bring the car to a complete stop as soon as is required. Honda’s tire pressure monitoring system will alert the driver to any tires that have dangerously low pressures. Technologically advance airbags will protect the driver as well as passengers from injuries that would normally be suffered in a collision. Honda also has technology which protects pedestrians and other drivers, like the ability to automatically sense when an object is too close, while applying the brakes before the driver is able to respond.
If you’re looking for power and pure speed in a new coupe, then you may want to take a look elsewhere at other dealers. However, if it’s fuel-efficiency, functionality and a decently stylish ride that you’re after, then the 2012 Honda Civic Coupe may just fit the bill – no pun intended.
