Hybrid Cars

Honda Civic Hybrid
MSRP: $23,950
Estimated MPG: 40 city / 43 highway
Class: Compact sedan

The Honda Civic Hybrid sedan is the gasoline / electric edition of the company’s popular entry-level car.  The vehicle combines the practicality of larger, four-door compact with impressive fuel economy numbers and emissions that are radically reduced when compared to the standard edition of the automobile.

One of the nicest aspects of the Honda Civic Hybrid sedan’s design is that it requires owners to make so few sacrifices when it comes every day use. When compared against the gasoline-powered Civic, the only difference to speak of in terms of the interior or exterior is found in the trunk, where the Hybrid gives up a little more than 1.5 cubic feet of storage space.  In all other departments, the vehicle acts and feels very much like its thirstier cousin – except at the gas pump, of course.  The Hybrid is provided with features such as automatic climate controls, stability control and the requisite digital displays to keep track of information specific to its electric components.  Luxuries like leather seats and a navigation system can be installed at the buyer’s request.

Under the hood – and in the trunk – the newest model is very similar to the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid.  A 1.3 liter, 4-cylinder motor combines with an electric motor that is placed between it and the continuously-variable automatic transmission to produce 110 horsepower and 123 lb-ft of torque.  Fuel mileage on this thrifty commuter is rated at 40 miles per gallon in the city and 43 on the highway by the EPA, but given its size and the fact that it’s relatively easy to fill up with passengers and cargo, real-world fuel economy in the 35 miles per gallon range might be a more realistic expectation.  That being said, the Civic manages to open an affordable door into the world of hybrids for many first-time buyers, especially those who are unwilling to trade utility for a bump in fuel economy.