The U.S.-spec Honda Civic has long been a favorite of the preeminent American consumer magazine, Consumer Reports.

The U.S.-spec Honda Civic has long been a favorite of the preeminent American consumer magazine, Consumer Reports. Car Trends

The U.S.-spec Honda Civic has long been a favorite of the preeminent American consumer magazine, Consumer Reports. Car Trends

The U.S.-spec Honda Civic has long been a favorite of the preeminent American consumer magazine, Consumer Reports. Car Trends

The U.S.-spec Honda Civic has long been a favorite of the preeminent American consumer magazine, Consumer Reports. Car Trends

The U.S.-spec Honda Civic has long been a favorite of the preeminent American consumer magazine, Consumer Reports. Car Trends

The U.S.-spec Honda Civic has long been a favorite of the preeminent American consumer magazine, Consumer Reports. Car Trends

The U.S.-spec Honda Civic has long been a favorite of the preeminent American consumer magazine, Consumer Reports. Car Trends

The U.S.-spec Honda Civic has long been a favorite of the preeminent American consumer magazine, Consumer Reports.

But now the magazine says the new 2012 Honda Civic is not up to par with the competition. The car's rating has suffered a precipitous drop over the previous model. The new 2011 Civic LX sedan scored 61 points overall, compared with 78 points for last year's model. The Civic had made Consumer Reports' Top Picks list for five of the last ten years.

Honda, like all Japanese automakers, is suffering from a strong Yen and the effects of the earthquake and tsunami from last march which have plagued production in the auto industry there. The automaker tried to cut costs in the development of the new Civic, a move which resulted in less-refined elements of the new car which likely did not impress test staff at Consumer Reports.


The U.S.-spec Honda Civic has long been a favorite of the preeminent American consumer magazine, Consumer Reports. Car Trends

2013 Ford Mustang To Receive Facelift, More Power : Car Trends

2013 Ford Mustang To Receive Facelift, More Power : Car Trends

2013 Ford Mustang To Receive Facelift, More Power : Car Trends

2013 Ford Mustang To Receive Facelift, More Power : Car Trends

2013 Ford Mustang To Receive Facelift, More Power : Car Trends

2013 Ford Mustang To Receive Facelift, More Power : Car Trends

2013 Ford Mustang To Receive Facelift, More Power : Car Trends

2013 Ford Mustang To Receive Facelift, More Power : Car Trends

2013 Ford Mustang To Receive Facelift, More Power : Car Trends

2013 Ford Mustang To Receive Facelift, More Power : Car Trends

We recently reported that the next-generation Ford Mustang won’t be bowing in until sometime in 2014, coming onto the market as a 2015 model.

That means the current generation Ford Mustang, and its aging platform, will have to soldier on for almost three whole years.

However, according to a new report, a facelifted version is due in the interim. This facelifted Mustang is expected to arrive as a 2013 model, and the good news is that we could see the car unveiled as early as this November’s 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.

A heavily revised front-end will be key to keeping the Mustang popular for a few more years, with influences from its Shelby GT500 cousin expected to feature. Things like a protruding upper grille, and a smaller lower intake are expected, as is LED detailing.

The rear tail lights are also expected to get a flat design instead of the angled look first seen on the 2010 Ford Mustang.

As for the powertrain lineup, the current 3.7-liter V-6 and 5.0-liter V-8 should remain, though they will reportedly produce slightly more power than their respective 305 and 412 horsepower outputs.

Note, many of the changes featuring in this facelift will apply for the Shelby Mustang GT500 as well, which we previously reported would get a kick in horsepower to somewhere between 570 and 620 horsepower.

We’ll keep you posted as news on the 2013 Ford Mustang breaks.

2013 Ford Mustang To Receive Facelift, More Power : Car Trends

2013 Ford Mustang To Receive Facelift, More Power : Car Trends