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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 1.8L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic 5-spd |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 28 / 38 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 31 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,200 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $13,120–$15,837 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.3/10, the 2012 Honda Civic earns a Good rating among the sedans we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.4/10, while Performance at 6.0/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability comes in at 8.4/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. On safety it earns 7.8/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.0/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.3/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $13,120–$15,837, 19 MPG, seating 5, the Honda Civic sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. Value lands at 7.7/10 — you get what you pay for, no more and no less, with a few rivals offering slightly better per-dollar returns. At 14 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2012 Honda Civic, but it needs the right buyer. Its technology and performance scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2012 Honda Civic ranks #802 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 39% of the segment. Its 7.3/10 overall score is 0.2 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $13,120 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 53%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Across the Civic model years we've scored, the 2012 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8.3/10 | $25,698 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 8.3/10 | $25,698 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 8.4/10 | $24,950 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 8.2/10 | $24,201 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 8.3/10 | $23,453 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 8.1/10 | $22,704 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 8.1/10 | $21,956 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 8.1/10 | $21,207 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 8.1/10 | $20,459 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.9/10 | $19,710 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.9/10 | $18,962 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.9/10 | $18,213 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Steering / Column 21/11/2012 · 12V548000 | Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 Civic passenger vehicles, manufactured from October 26, 2012, through October 30, 2012. These vehicles were assembled with the incorrect steering column assembly. |
|---|---|
| Fuel system, other / Delivery / Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings 18/05/2011 · 11V288000 | HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CIVIC 2-DOOR AND 4-DOOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 21, 2011, THROUGH MAY 2, 2011. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT AN O-RING, WHICH SEALS A CONNECTION IN THE FUEL FEED LINE, IS MISALIGNED. IF THE O-RING IS… |
| Power train / Driveline / Driveshaft 04/06/2012 · 12V256000 | HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 HONDA CIVIC VEHICLES. DURING ASSEMBLY, THE PROCESS REQUIRED TO SEAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DRIVESHAFT AND SET THE RETAINING CLIP WAS NOT COMPLETED. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVESHAFT MAY SEPARATE. |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Other sedans at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Honda models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
