What wheel drive is a 2012 Honda Civic?
The 2012 Honda Civic uses front-wheel drive (FWD).
Drivetrain overview
The Civic of 2012 is built on Honda's compact platform with a front-mounted, transverse engine that powers the front wheels. Across the U.S. model lineup, all trims are front-wheel drive, including the standard models and the sportier Si, as well as the Civic Hybrid. Honda did not offer an all-wheel-drive option for the Civic in North America that year.
Transmission options by model
Transmission choices vary by trim. The majority of non-Si Civics offered either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic transmission. The high-performance Civic Si was equipped with a 6-speed manual. The Civic Hybrid paired its own hybrid drivetrain with its transmission system while remaining front-wheel drive.
Why front-wheel drive was chosen
Front-wheel drive is common in compact cars for packaging efficiency, interior space, and cost savings. For the Civic, FWD supports a low, flat floor, predictable handling, and strong fuel economy without adding complexity or weight associated with all-wheel drive.
Body styles and model variations
In 2012, the Civic was available as both a sedan and a coupe, with the same front-wheel-drive configuration across body styles. The Si version offered a sport-tuned, front-wheel-drive platform for enhanced handling while preserving FWD dynamics.
Summary
In summary, every 2012 Honda Civic sold in the United States is front-wheel drive. There were no all-wheel-drive variants offered for that model year in North America. Trim differences mainly affected transmission choices, with the Si using a 6-speed manual and other trims offering 5-speed manual or automatic options, while the hybrid version integrated a dedicated hybrid system atop the same FWD layout.
