2009 Honda Civic Hybrid Review | Buyer Guide
Does The Civic Hybrid Have a Future?
With the introduction of the new Honda Insight hybrid, you have to wonder what the future might hold for the Civic Hybrid. The Insight is more stylish, and almost the same size. More importantly, the Insight costs up to $3850 less than the Civic.
However, some buyers might be turned off by the hatchback body style of the Insight, and the video-game look of the dash. Honda has clearly designed this car for the youth market. On the other hand, the Civic is a traditional sedan with a trunk. It’s also roomier, and has a more conventional interior. Although I have to say that the two-tier instrument panel, with an analog tachometer on one level, and a digital readout for speed above it, is rather innovative.
Whatever the case, the Civic Hybrid marches along in 2009 with just a few changes. On the outside, the lower grille has been redesigned. Inside there’s new fabric, and an available leather option. The leather package also includes heated front seats and side mirrors. The optional navigation system now gets Bluetooth and USB audio interfaces, and Vehicle Stability Assist has become standard.
Honda’s Integrated Motor assist (IMA) powers the Civic Hybrid. It uses a 1.3-liter gasoline engine, a small electric motor and a nichel-metal-hydride battery pack to get the job done. The IMA generates the equivalent of 110 horsepower. The gasoline engine drives the car most of the time. However, when extra power is needed to accelerate or to climb a hill, the electric motor kicks in to help. When the brakes are applied, or when you are coasting, the electric motor becomes a generator and recharges the battery.
Teamed with the IMA is a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This more efficient transmission system uses a belt and a variable pulley, rather than gears, to transfer power to the wheels. The hybrid power system provides EPA-rated fuel economy of 40-mpg in the city and 45-mpg on the highway.
Out on the road, the Civic Hybrid delivers leisurely acceleration in the normal “Drive’ mode. When you need some oomph, you can select “Second” for a lower range of ratios and more power. There is also a “Low” range for climbing steep hills, but the little engine gets buzzy in the upper rev range.
The Hybrid has good overall road manners, but is not as much fun to drive as other Civics. The hard compound tires that help with gas mileage, detract from the handling. They tend to screech when pressed hard into a corner. They also contribute to the loud road rumble on the highway. And the regenerative braking system that puts electrical charge back into the battery make the brakes somewhat more difficult to modulate.
However, the Civic Hybrid does deliver excellent gas mileage (40-45 mpg) and low emissions. It has earned the California Air Resource Board’s best possible rating for a hybrid car. The base price for the Civic Hybrid is $24,320.
Snapshot Review
Good Gas Mileage
Traditional Sedan Body
Low Emissions
High Price
