- The 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas model starts at $26,905, including a $750 destination charge, making it the most expensive Civic in the 2012 lineup.
- The 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas model is $645 more expensive than the outgoing 2012 Honda Civic GX, also a natural-gas model.
- The 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas goes on sale on October 18 in 35 states.
TORRANCE, California — The 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas model starts at $26,905, including a $750 destination charge, making it the most expensive Civic in the 2012 lineup.
The 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas model, which runs on compressed natural gas, is $645 more expensive than the outgoing 2012 Honda Civic GX, which also runs on CNG.
The Civic Natural Gas model is $6,700 more expensive than the 2012 Honda Civic HF (high fuel economy) model and $3,750 more expensive than the 2012 Honda Civic Si sedan. It is also $10,350 more expensive than the base 2012 Honda Civic DX sedan.
The Civic Natural Gas pricing reflects the fact that the unusual alt-fuel car is a relatively low-volume model with extra hardware, such as special fuel injectors, intake and exhaust values and valve seats. It also has stronger connecting rods and crankshaft, as well as special pistons used to accommodate the higher compression ratio of the engine and octane rating of the fuel.
It is equipped with a modified version of the 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine found in the Civic sedan. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard. It also has the Honda ECO Assist system that coaches the driver on a "more efficient driving style."
Honda is making a major commitment to marketing the Civic Natural Gas, saying it will expand sales to 200 dealers in 35 states. Previously, the natural gas-powered Civic was a virtual anomaly on the road. The 2011 Civic GX was limited to just four states — California, New York, Oklahoma and Utah.
Honda said the Civic Natural Gas has a 2012 EPA fuel economy "equivalent estimate" of 27 mpg in city driving and 38 mpg on the highway. In comparison, the Civic HF returns 29 mpg in city driving and 41 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. Honda says the new Civic Natural Gas boasts a 12.5-percent improvement in city fuel economy versus the outgoing model.
The Civic Natural Gas will hit showrooms as the price of gas has begun a downward slide. The AAA Daily Fuel Gauge on Monday said that the national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline stood at $3.41 versus $3.65 a month ago.
The uplevel 2012 Civic Natural Gas with a navigation system starts at $28,405, including shipping, and features a database of CNG refueling stations in the U.S.
The Civic Natural Gas is the only natural-gas light-duty vehicle manufactured in the U.S., according to the CNG Now Web site. Toyota introduced a CNG Camry at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show, but has yet to produce it. It also showed off a Toyota Surfrider Camry Hybrid CNG at the 2009 SEMA Auto Show.
Inside Line says: You'll have to be really committed to ending dependence on foreign oil to shell out major cash for the 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas.
Add A Comment »
litewerk says:
12:54 PM, 10/04/2011
Natural gas has been available where I live, as well as Columbus, for at least several years now. Last time I checked it was going for $1.59. That's a car that would definitely reduce my fuel bill by about half.
autosoc says:
07:55 PM, 10/03/2011
Honda needs to make the sales volume leader more competitive, and leave the niche vehicles to someone else. Imagine if Honda used the money to develop a natural gas version on developing direct injection, sound insulation, or seven speed transmission, I suspect the 2012 Civic would maintain market share. And please hire some from Audi to design the interior and Kia to design the exterior.
rahulioo says:
06:24 PM, 10/03/2011
I will stick with my 99 civic which i paid 1500$ 4 years ago. Still running with no trouble.
angry_mushroom says:
05:26 PM, 10/03/2011
Well... That's one way to stick it to OPEC, but the price is a bit steep.
motorstreet says:
03:21 PM, 10/03/2011
The EPA says the national average price for Natural Gas is $2.07 per gallon, which means you save $197 a year versus the Hybrid, $576 a year versus the HF, and $642 versus the normal automatic Civic (based on the EPA' standard 55% Highway, 45% City, 15000 miles a year, and $3.51 per gallon of regular) The pay off time is over 10 years for all of these, but that will change as Gas prices go up (Natural Gas is unaffected by Gas prices)
motorhead202 says:
03:14 PM, 10/03/2011
No thanks, I'll stick with my 93 civic i paid 1000 bucks for as a daily driver
miscpippa says:
02:32 PM, 10/03/2011
Plug it into your butt.
se_riously says:
02:09 PM, 10/03/2011
This vehicle is good for the buyer who wants to take advantage of carpool lane privileges, but don't want to shell out the upfront cost of an electricn vehicle or the range of an electric vehicle is insufficient. Of course, you have to have sufficient CNG refueling stations in your area, or home, to make it worthwhile.
wjtinatl says:
01:49 PM, 10/03/2011
What is the cost for the equivalent of a gallon of Natural gas? My local gas company says $4000 energy credit from the feds and their online calculator quotes .97 cents per therm (delivery & cost of gas) + $11/mo customer charge to deliver gas to the house. The 4 grand covers 3/4 the cost over a standard Civic, is the cost per gallon really that much less than unleaded?
sniperruff says:
01:25 PM, 10/03/2011
"You'll have to be really committed to ending dependence on foreign oil to shell out major cash for the 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas."
That, or if you're a municipal government.