In the 2012 Honda Civic lineup, transmission options vary by model: most gasoline Civics used a 5‑speed manual or a 5‑speed automatic, the performance-focused Civic Si used a 6‑speed manual, and the Civic Hybrid employed a CVT with Honda’s IMA hybrid system.
Gasoline Civics transmission options
The gasoline-powered Civics offered two main choices for most trims, with one exceptional variant that uses a different setup.
- 5-speed manual transmission (5MT)
- 5-speed automatic transmission (5AT)
The 2012 Civic Si, a sport-oriented model, did not use these lighter 5‑speed options and instead relied on a dedicated 6‑speed manual gearbox for its driving dynamics.
Civic Si: 6-speed manual
The 2012 Civic Si was equipped exclusively with a 6‑speed manual transmission, paired with a higher-output engine to deliver a sportier driving experience than the other trims.
Civic Hybrid transmissions
The hybrid variant of the Civic uses Honda’s hybrid system in combination with a continuously variable transmission, which is distinct from the traditional automatic or manual gearboxes.
- Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with Integrated Motor Assist (IMA)
This CVT is designed to optimize fuel economy by blending electric motor assist with the gasoline engine rather than using traditional stepped gears.
Summary
To recap, the 2012 Honda Civic offered multiple transmission setups: gasoline models mainly used a 5‑speed manual or 5‑speed automatic, with the Civic Si using a 6‑speed manual; the Civic Hybrid used a CVT paired with Honda’s IMA hybrid system. Always verify the exact transmission on a given vehicle, as configurations can vary by trim and market.