The newly redesigned Honda Civic scored so low in Consumer Reports' latest tests that it is not recommended. The 2012 model has a choppy ride. The steering lacks feedback. The interior is cheap looking and not well put together. And braking distances are long.
"You expect a redesigned vehicle to be better, but the new Civic is one of the worst redesigns we've seen in years," said Jon Linkov with Consumer Reports.
The new Civic also is less agile than the previous model. And road noise is pronounced as well.
Consumer Reports' new rating of the 2012 Honda Civic puts it near the bottom of small sedans -- behind the Ford Focus and the Chevrolet Cruze.
Consumer Reports says consider the redesigned Hyundai Elantra, which is the magazine's new top pick for small sedans, of the 12 it tested -- beating out the Nissan Sentra, Subaru Impreza and Toyota Corolla.
