2013 Honda Civic Spy Photos

SANTA MONICA, California — When Honda debuted the 2012 Honda Civic at the 2011 New York Auto Show, the world let out a collective "Meh." The evolutionary styling of the perennial best-seller was so safe it was hard to believe that this was a completely new generation and not just a refresh. But with a host of new, interesting and worthy competitors to the Civic's crown — including the Hyundai Elantra, Chevy Cruze, Ford Focus and Mazda 3 — Honda couldn't sit idly by watching the world move along. And so, just a year into production, Honda is already refreshing the Civic and these are the first shots.

Up front, the Civic gets a more upscale fascia with an inverted chrome mustache borrowed from the Accord and CR-V. The projector-beam headlights are now chunkier with an Acura TL-type feel which, combined with a new bumper, gives the overall package a less doorstop-like shape.

Out back, the taillights appear all new, while the deck lid and rear bumper get extensive tweaks as well. The mild ducktail spoiler and creased bumper result in a car that looks fuller and more styled and less like something shaped entirely in a wind tunnel.

What other modifications Honda has in mind for the 2013 Civic aren't apparent in these photos, but we suspect that a mild interior refresh with higher-quality materials will also be on the menu.

The 2012 Honda Civic's 140-horsepower 1.8-liter inline-4 isn't the greatest engine in the world, but it's smooth, quick enough and returns decent fuel economy; don't expect much of a change there if any.

Edmunds says: We're expecting this one to bow at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show in November and to be on sale shortly thereafter.