KBB.com Releases All-New Compact Sedan Comparison Test

Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com Releases All-New Compact Sedan Comparison Test
Like microbreweries, Lady Gaga hits and bad Ryan Reynolds movies, compact sedans are an inevitable part of the American consumer landscape. It is a given that at some time in our lives, each of us will drive a relatively affordable - starting at or below $17,000 and reaching up to the $24,000 mark - four-door like the four new cars we review in this comparison test. College car, commuter car, second car, empty nester car, rental car. Whatever the purpose, a small, fuel-efficient, utilitarian four-door is exactly right at some time in everyone's life.

The expert editors from Kelley Blue Book's www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new car and used car information, today release the results of their all-new 2011 / 2012 Compact Sedan Comparison Test.

The four new compact sedans in this test – Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, and Hyundai Elantra – each represent a fresh-foot forward for their manufacturers and represent some of the most popular vehicles in this important segment. During the comprehensive testing of these vehicles, the kbb.com editors gave each model an overall rating as well as specific ratings based on interior, exterior, performance, comfort/convenience and value. In their story, kbb.com's editors provide deep insight into each of the four vehicles and how they compare to one another to help consumers choose the right car for their needs.

When the editors ultimately tallied the score sheets, the Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra tied for first place, each scoring 7.5 out of 10 possible points in the overall ratings. Though their overall scores were the same, the two winners captured the top spot with dramatically different strong and weak points. The Elantra outshined the others in the style and design ratings, while the Civic cleaned up in the performance and value categories.

First Place: 2012 Honda Civic EX-L Navi

Strengths: This is the Mercedes-Benz of compact sedan

Weaknesses: No longer a class style leader
Synopsis: A superb example of balance, value and pedigree

To understand why the 2012 Honda Civic EX-L Navi (you call that a car name?!) shares the top honors with the Hyundai Elantra Limited in this comparison test, you need to understand what made Mercedes-Benz great. Once, in an era when luxury cars were great and the competition was strong, Mercedes-Benz was the greatest luxury carmaker in the world.

Now, other automakers build faster cars than Mercedes-Benz, and prettier cars than Mercedes, and more reliable cars, more comfortable cars, better-handling cars, more value-laden cars than Mercedes...but not all at once.

That "nobody does it better all at once" territory is prime Honda real estate, and the all-new Civic still rules that land. How the Civic does it, however, is a bit of a mystery.

In the heat of our four-car comparison, the 2012 Civic tanked on its exterior styling, and also bottomed the list on interior styling. Same goes for its limited trunk space. And while the 1.8-liter engine was completely competitive in its fuel-economy numbers, the power output was nothing to brag about and the Civic's five-speed automatic transmission seems iffy at best in a class where six forward gears is now the norm.

Yet somehow, the 2012 Honda Civic EX-L Navi pulls it off. The underpowered engine and under-geared transmission work together beautifully, seamlessly to make certain that you're never stranded at the deep end of the onramp. Like most Honda engines, the Civic's 1.8 really shines at higher revs. The four-wheel disc brakes do a superb job of nestling the Civic to a stop, and while the ride/handling balance places ride far above handling, the steering feel and response belong in a "How to Do Everything Right" textbook.

Slipping inside the Civic EX-L Navi, you'll note that the "L" stands for standard "Leather" and the "Navi" stands for standard "Navigation" - the only compact sedan in our test that came with standard Nav (although the $24,225 price made the Civic EX-L Navi the most expensive car in our test).

Also worth noting is that the Civic was the only vehicle in our test that was ready (or even able) to accommodate a long-legged passenger in the rear seats.

To our surprise and delight, the all-new 2012 Honda Civic EX-L Navi succeeds a lot and fails nowhere. To our even bigger delight the four compact sedans in this comparison can all see the top of the mountain from where they stand, because each of them fits the needs of a certain buyer with his or her own set of priorities.

Comparison Test Results: 2012 Honda Civic EX-L Navi

Overall Editors' Rating: 7.5 out of 10
Interior: 4th
Exterior: 3rd
Performance: 1st
Comfort & Convenience: 2nd
Value: 1st

Get more info about the 2012 Honda Civic from DCH Honda of Temecula.  Call (888) 304-3555 or visit us at 26755 Ynez Road in Temecula or on our website at www.dchhondaoftemecula.com.