Never let it be said that Honda stood pat with the Civic Hybrid. The 2006 version is much better than the previous model, and as Honda's marketing says; if you think you know the Civic Hybrid, you'd better think again. There is definitely sufficient performance sizzle to the new Civic hybrid but perhaps more importantly there is styling to match. This new iteration has earned an Advanced Technology Partial Zero-Emission Vehicle (AT-PZEV) rating, so while you save on fuel costs you still get some very nice amenities. A more sophisticated audio system, and available navigation system along with safety features like front, side and side curtain airbags are just a couple of features that gives the Honda Civic some bragging rights in the compact hybrid race.
It's always difficult to talk about performance numbers when dealing with hybrids, and the Civic is no exception. The inline 4-cylinder 1400cc aluminum-alloy engine generates 110 horsepower @ 6000rpm and 123 lb-ft of torque between 1000 and 2500rpm. The permanent Magnetic Motor is rated at 20 horsepower but much more important is the 76 lb-ft of torque generated immediately. Power is put to the ground through a Continuously Variable Transmission which is way to complicated to try and explain here. But enough of the techy-talk and on to the interior and driving this little hybrid.
I've always been intrigued by the rather unique dashboard ergonomics that seem to prevail in this class of hybrid. the Civic continues this "interesting" trend with what Honda calls a "multi-tiered" instrument panel. It is relatively easy to read however, as with most hybrids, the readouts can be a bit disconcerting from time to time because of all the information that is being put out.
Everything about this new Civic is better including a lot of interior creature comforts like an 8 gig Nav System, steering wheel mounted audio and cruise control switches. A 160-watt AM/FM/XM ready audio system comes at you from six speakers and if you're a true audiophile, you can get the Honda Music Link for an iPod. All this just enhances the driving experience and certainly keeps this car from being "just a point A to point B" type grocery getter. It's actually kind of fun to drive.
The blue backlit gauge package is interesting and offer a bit of "cool" to the dashboard, but also affords a lot of driver information about the IMA or Integrated Motor Assist system. The information screen lets you know what is happening with the IMA system during idle, acceleration, deceleration and braking. This is by no means a pocket rocket, but on the other hand, it will move on down the highway and really is very easy to get used to and I'm sure lot's of folks are going to be taking advantage of what this little sedan offers.
I've often been asked why I'm a hybrid fan because it's very clear that it takes quite a while to recoup the cost difference. My response has always been pretty much the same every time and that is; anything we can do to improve fuel consumption and emissions with our vehicles means we're taking a step in the right direction. I've said on may an occasion that one does not buy a hybrid solely to save on fuel costs. There are a lot of collateral positives to owning a hybrid but it is an individual choice we each get to make, and every year, there are more and more good choices in the hybrid genre.
I did like this car a lot and even though you'll have to spend in the mid-twenties for the Civic Hybrid, I think it's well worth it. There isn't a lot out there that offers all that this car does but like I said, don't buy it thinking you'll recover in gas savings at the pump the extra three to four thousand dollars it'll cost you to buy the hybrid. That cannot be your primary reason for buying, but if knowing you're helping our environment and saving at the pump while your doing it peels your banana, the maybe the Honda Civic hybrid is just what you're looking for.
Some important information to keep in mind. If you purchased a hybrid or natural-gas vehicle in 2005, you could qualify for the clean-fuel tax deduction, and if you purchased your vehicle on or after January 1, 2006, you may qualify for tax breaks under the new energy bill. Full details are pending and will be released as soon as they are available. To get information on these added savings and find out how to begin a claim, go to Honda.com
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