Honda Civic Fans Fight Back After Consumer Reports Beat Down

For many car shoppers, Consumer Reports is the last word on auto recommendations. But since the magazine downgraded longtime favorite Honda Civic last week, readers have been writing to me to dispute its judgment on the 2012 Civic. Now professional reviewers have joined in the Civic's defense.

Edmunds.com and Cars.com were quick to note that they continue to recommend the Civic for its high mileage, safety and reliability. Consumer Reports test drivers complained about mediocre handling, an unattractive interior, a choppy ride and long stopping distances. I have not yet driven the 2012 Civic, but here is what some others say in recommending it.

Edmunds.com "Although the 2012 Honda Civic doesn't revolutionize the compact sedan the way it has in the past, it remains a vehicle that Edmunds.com editors would recommend to their friends," says a statement from Scott Oldham, editor-in-chief. In its road test review, Edmunds finds the Civic handling sharp, even in the same LX model reviewed by Consumer Reports. (The Civic also comes in a high-performance Si sedan and coupe). The Edmunds reviewer does agree with CR about the unattractive interior with hard plastic panels on the dash, doors and middle console.

Cars.com "While it may have flaws, the 2012 Honda Civic still is one of the best cars in its class, and should be on the short list of any compact-car shopper," the editors said in their retort to Consumer Reports. They noted that in Consumer Reports' own surveys, the Civic has one of the best reliability records and that its resale value is among the strongest in the class. In Cars.com competitive testing of compacts, the Civic LX finished second to the Hyundai Elantra and ahead of competitors such as the Ford Focus, Kia Forte and Chevrolet Cruze.

USA Today Test driver James R. Healey, in an earlier review, called the Civic "better, more satisfying overall than the Elantra." He did note that Civic fails to offer some desirable features like backup safety camera, six-speed automatic transmission and heated rear seats, which all are options for the Elantra. Contrary to Consumer Reports, he praised the crisp handling, even on the LX sedan model.

Let's take a look at how three of the top compact competitors stack up on various features. Here are some vital statistics for the Civic, the Hyundai Elantra and the Ford Focus:

Gas Mileage The Civic LX has EPA ratings of 28 MPG in city driving and 39 mpg on the highway. A special HF version is rated at 29 city, 41 highway. The Hyundai Elantra (at left) is rated at 29 MPG in the city, 40 highway. The Ford Focus is rated at 26 MPG city, 36 highway, but has a 40 MPG highway rating (28 city) in a special ECO version.

Safety The Civic, Elantra and Focus all get the Top Safety Pick rating in crash tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. That means they get top scores in front, side and rollover tests.

Reliability At Consumer Reports, which has the broadest survey of owners' problems with individual models over the years, both the Honda Civic and the Hyundai Elantra get strong reliability ratings. The Ford Focus, which is a totally new design for 2012 based on a Ford model in Europe, is considered too new to have a reliability record.

If you are a Civic owner or considering becoming one, you will make up your own mind about the new model. While no reviewers gave it an all-out rave, most viewed it more favorably than Consumer Reports.

Photos courtesy of the manufacturers

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