The 2012 Honda Civic offered three engine configurations in the U.S. market: a 1.8-liter inline-4 for LX/EX/EX-L; a 2.4-liter inline-4 for the sporty Civic Si; and a 1.5-liter inline-4 paired with Honda's IMA hybrid system for the Civic Hybrid. Gasoline engines could be paired with a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic, while the Si was manual-only and the Hybrid used a CVT with the IMA setup.
Engine options by trim
Below are the core engines that powered the 2012 Civic lineup, including key outputs and transmission options where applicable.
1.8-liter i-VTEC inline-4 — LX, EX, EX-L
Displacing 1.8 liters, this engine produced about 140 horsepower and 128 lb-ft of torque. It was paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic transmission (the latter featuring Honda's Grade Logic Control for performance and efficiency). This setup powered the majority of the Civic lineup outside the Si and Hybrid.
2.4-liter i-VTEC inline-4 — Civic Si
The performance-focused Civic Si used a larger 2.4-liter i-VTEC engine that delivered around 201 horsepower and roughly 172 lb-ft of torque. It was available only with a 6-speed manual transmission, emphasizing sportier driving dynamics over fuel economy.
1.5-liter inline-4 with IMA — Civic Hybrid
The Civic Hybrid combined a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) electric motor. The system produced about 110 horsepower when combined, and it used a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to maximize efficiency. Fuel economy was a standout feature, typically in the low- to mid-40s mpg combined depending on driving conditions.
Summary
In short, the 2012 Honda Civic did not have a single engine. Buyers could choose from a fuel-efficient 1.8-liter engine, a high-performance 2.4-liter engine for the Si, or a hybrid setup with a 1.5-liter engine and IMA for best efficiency. Transmission options varied by powertrain, with manual gearboxes on the Si and most gasoline trims, an automatic option on non-hybrid models, and CVT integrated with the hybrid system.