ArmyofOne

They were the same design...minor facelifts. Both sets of years were considered 8th gen's. And as far as the interior, I have not seen it in person to see if I could live with it or not.

mmarshall

The split-level dash is now larger and more-inclusive on the upper part than the 8Gen version, and, of course, the El-Cheapo hard-plastic trim now covers just about everything. But it still has that superb Honda quality of assembly inside where everything fits like a Rolex watch.

LexBob2

Good catch, I forgot to add the Corolla. I was referring to sales.

LexusMan77

Thanks for getting the review done so quickly as I enjoyed reading it. By the way did you use the ECO button? If so, how much of an improvement in fuel economy did you notice? The last generation's styling grew on me over time, but it seems this 2012 styling took a step backwards. I think it is more generic and conservative specifically in the rear, but it will still sell in huge numbers regardless.

mmarshall

Sure...anytime. I've been retired for a few years now, and, depending on the vehicle availability in my local area, I usually have time to get to review requests fairly quickly.

I did try out the ECO feature. It lights up a green dash-indicator, makes some adjustments in the drivetrain, and limits A/C-compressor use for some added MPG, but my test-drive, though long enough to evaluate the drivetrain, wasn't long enough to verify fuel-use....and you can't always depend on the on-board trip computers, since they are often 1 or 2 MPG off, and tend to read high. ECO button or not, though, 39 MPG on the highway is pretty good....and the HF and Hybrid versions of the Civic can do better than that.

Anything with the name "Civic" on it, of course, will sell, but astute and observant buyers will notice the loweing of interior-trim quality and how awkward the split-level dash can sometimes be. I'm highly respectful of this car for how well it is asembled at the factory, but it is not something I would choose as a daily-driver.

mondo540

Nice review as always....I expected more from Honda....

I think Honda (and Toyo) have gotten lazy with their redesigns and are living on past sales and the "automatic buyers" with the Civic and Corolla...better choices out there IMO...I am looking forward to the new Impreza hatch later this year...if it can really do 36mpg with AWD, I might have to get it for a DD if gas is still stuck at $4-$5...I think more and more people want AWD and Subie might have a big hit on their hands. Put that on your list please (as I'm sure you will as I believe you are a Subie fan)....

mmarshall

Thanks.

They still assemble a car at the factory ike a Swiss Watch, but the quality of some of the materials seems to be going down. I chalk it up to typical cost-cutting.

Agreed.

Yes and no.....depends on what your automotive priorities are.

I'm with you....hard to beat Subies as Daily-Drivers, especially in bad weather. I'll definitely check out the new Impreza when it is released. But I generally like the added ground-clearance of the Outback....the Impreza, for me, sits too low.