2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas priced from $26,155*

Autoblog Staff — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 17:04:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Honda, Specialty

The totally redesigned 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas (formerly known as the Civic GX), America's only natural gas-burning passenger vehicle, will hit Honda dealerships nationwide on October 18 with a starting MSRP $26,155, (*excluding a $750 destination fee). Add in navigation, and the Civic Natural Gas tops out at $27,655 plus $750 for delivery.

A modified version of the 1.8-liter four-cylinder found in the gas-fueled 2012 Civic Sedan and Coupe powers the Civic Natural Gas; a five-speed automatic transmission is standard. The Civic Natural Gas is EPA-rated at 27 city/38 highway/31 combined miles per gasoline-gallon equivalent. Compared against the 2011 Civic GX, the 2012 Natural Gas delivers a 12.5-percent improvement in city fuel efficiency and a 5.5-percent bump on the highway.

But here's the crucial question: How does the Civic Natural Gas stack up against its green sibling, the Civic Hybrid? Well, the Civic Hybrid starts at $24,800, so it's cheaper than the Natural Gas Civic and, at an EPA-estimated 44 mpg in all driving conditions, the gas-electric version is more fuel efficient. But for residents of California, where unlimited access to HOV lanes adds thousands of dollars to a car's value, the Honda Civic Natural Gas Civic might still be the logical choice. Hit the jump for the official press blast.

Continue reading 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas priced from $26,155*

2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas priced from $26,155* originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 01 Oct 2011 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSA: Natural gas Honda Civic GX retains California HOV lane access

Autoblog Staff — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 07:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Honda

2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas - Click above for high-res image gallery

Californians seeking access to the state's High Occupancy Vehicle lanes need look no further than the Honda Civic GX, a compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle that's permitted to use HOV lanes until January 2015.

The Honda, which is the only CNG-fueled light-duty passenger vehicle available in the U.S., earns Inherently Low Emissions Vehicle (ILEV) status and therefore qualifies for California's white sticker. These stickers are available in unlimited quantities, unlike the state's yellow stickers that expired on July 1, 2011.

The CNG-burnin' 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas will launch in the fall and gets, according to Honda's estimates, 27/38/31 miles per gasoline gallon equivalent (that's city/highway/combined). Compared to the outgoing 2011 model, city fuel economy improves by 12.5 percent, and highway mileage is up 5.5 percent.

It's important to note that the latest Civic Hybrid, although it does indeed earn darn good fuel efficiency marks, does not qualify for HOV lane usage.

So, drivers in California seeking access to HOV lanes have a handful of options, including snatching up a a late model Civic GX, waiting for the upcoming Civic Natural Gas, buying a Nissan Leaf or hunting down one of these remaining qualified vehicles.

Continue reading PSA: Natural gas Honda Civic GX retains California HOV lane access

PSA: Natural gas Honda Civic GX retains California HOV lane access originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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