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Featured Review: 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid

by Louella M. Harty

Price Paid: $28000.00 from Schaumburg Honda
Review Date: July 4, 2009
Overall Rating: 4 of 5
Value Rating: 4 of 5
Used product for: Less than 1 month

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By Alex Kramer

Pros:

• Impressive gas mileage
• Capable chassis and suspension
• Luxurious leather interior
• Elegant navigation/stereo system

Cons:

• Meager acceleration
• Mild hybrid = no silent running
• Squeal-happy tires
• Lack of rear folding seats

Introduction
For over 30 years the Honda Civic has represented rock solid reliability, good value, and excellent fuel efficiency. Take these qualities and add an extra helping of fuel efficiency and you get the Civic Hybrid, one of the most efficient cars on the road, with an EPA estimated 40/45 mpg (city/highway). In addition to being frugal at the pump, the Civic Hybrid now offers a surprising amount of luxury, courtesy of an optional leather interior, heated seats and a touch-screen navigation system. Combine these creature comforts with the Civic’s reputation and good looks, and you have a car that should appeal to more than just the eco-friendly crowd.

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The EPA and Energy Department issued the 2009 fuel economy guide.

The overall fuel economy leader is no surprise. It’s the Toyota Prius, rated at 48 mpg in the city and 45 on the highway.

The new additions to the top 10 list this year are the Smart ForTwo convertible and coupe and Volkswagen Jetta diesels. (Click on the link to read more about the Jetta TDI).

The Jetta diesels were not in the market last year because they did not meet tighter clean air rules. They are back this year with improved emissions controls. The Jetta sedan and Sportwagen with manual transmissions are in seventh place with ratings of 30 mpg city and 41 mpg highway. In September a couple from Australia set a new world record of 58.82 mpg in a Jetta TDI sedan traversing the 48 continental states.

Revised testing and calculation methods meant almost all the vehicles got lower ratings than before. The methodology was changed to make ratings more closely reflect real-world driving.

Here is the top 10 list for 2009:

1. Toyota Prius (hybrid) — 48/45
2. Honda Civic Hybrid — 40/45
3. Nissan Altima Hybrid — 35/33
4. Ford Escape Hybrid FWD; Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2WD; Mercury Mariner Hybrid FWD — 34/31
5. Smart ForTwo convertible; Smart ForTwo coupe — 33/41
6. Toyota Camry Hybrid — 33/34
7. Volkswagen Jetta (manual, diesel); Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen (manual, diesel) — 30/41
8. Volkswagen Jetta (automatic, diesel); Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen (automatic, diesel) — 29/40
9. Toyota Yaris (manual) — 29/36
10. Toyota Yaris (automatic) — 29/35

The complete fuel economy guide can be found at www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm and is organized by year.

10/23/2007 - TORRANCE, Calif. -

The 2008 Honda Civic MUGEN Si Sedan is arriving at dealerships nationwide with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price1 (MSRP) of $29,500, plus destination and handling charges, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.

Built on the foundation of the Civic Si Sedan and tuned by the prestigious racing and aftermarket performance company, MUGEN, the Civic MUGEN Si Sedan adds a track-tuned MUGEN suspension, 18-inch forged alloy lightweight wheels, a full aerodynamic body kit with adjustable rear wing spoiler, a rear diffuser and a sport-tuned exhaust system. Powertrain highlights include the Civic Si’s high-revving, 197-horsepower, 2.0-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine with an 8000-rpm redline; a 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission; and a helical-type, limited-slip differential.

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Better fuel efficiency…at a price in performance

by Twain Mein

Pros

• It’s a hybrid!
• Honda reputation for quality and reliability
• Head clearance and rear seat room is exceptional

Cons

• Noisy under acceleration
• Abrupt stop-start
• Boring to drive

Introduction

I was really looking forward to road-testing Honda’s answer to the Prius. I was expecting sporty handling and a peppy feel that is the heritage of the Civic line up. Boy was I disappointed.

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Environmentally Responsible and Good Looking, Too!

by Gary Chan

Pros

• Excellent gas mileage
• Comfortable seats
• Good driving dynamics
• Quiet HVAC system kept us cool in warm Southern California

Cons

• Cabin a bit noisy due to road noise
• Engine a bit noisy when pushed
• Navigation/audio touch screen not intuitive

Introduction

I wonder what the mileage would be for a weekend road trip from Sunnyvale to Los Angeles, California? And how about with two other people and their gear? We packed up the car, and headed out on Friday, and this is what I discovered about this Civic Hybrid.

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Driving Impressions: 2007 Honda Civic Si Sedan
by Tony S.

Photos by Derek Mau

Pros:

• Handling
• Interior and Exterior Design
• Sweet, High-revving Motor

Cons:

• Low Torque
• Terrible Speedometer Placement

A lot of words come to mind when thinking of Honda four-doors: practical, reliable, dependable, and mostly boring. There’s nothing wrong with making that type of vehicle….Honda has sold millions of them. But what do you do if you’re looking for a little sport in an economical and practical four-door and you don’t want to break the bank. Well, you could start off by looking at the four-door Honda Civic Si.

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