Here’s an oft-overlooked fact, Honda was the first
to offer a car in the contemporary marketplace with a gasoline/electric
hybrid powertrain. Back in December of 1999, the company produced the Honda Insight,
a three door, two-passenger hatchback based on a Honda concept car from
the 1997 Tokyo Auto Show. The first modern hybrid available in North
America, it was trailed by the Prius seven month later.
Sometimes though being first id a disadvantage. Most will agree Honda seriously misjudged the marketplace by introducing Insight as a two-seat commuter car, even if it was certified by the EPA as the most fuel-efficient gasoline powered car ever, at 61 miles per gallon on the highway. By the way, as of November 2014, this record still stands.
Still though, while fuel efficiency is cool, practicality is the trump card. When the Prius arrived with four doors, four seats, and a trunk—Insight was basically, well, sunk. Since those times, the hybrid powertrain has proliferated vigorously. These days it’s difficult to name a manufacturer without at least one hybrid powertrain in its lineup. Essentially, the hybrid powertrain has become so mainstream; it’s simply a trim level for an existing line of cars in most cases.
Which brings us to the 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid.
Sometimes though being first id a disadvantage. Most will agree Honda seriously misjudged the marketplace by introducing Insight as a two-seat commuter car, even if it was certified by the EPA as the most fuel-efficient gasoline powered car ever, at 61 miles per gallon on the highway. By the way, as of November 2014, this record still stands.
Still though, while fuel efficiency is cool, practicality is the trump card. When the Prius arrived with four doors, four seats, and a trunk—Insight was basically, well, sunk. Since those times, the hybrid powertrain has proliferated vigorously. These days it’s difficult to name a manufacturer without at least one hybrid powertrain in its lineup. Essentially, the hybrid powertrain has become so mainstream; it’s simply a trim level for an existing line of cars in most cases.
Which brings us to the 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid.
 |
| 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid |
Models & Prices
While it is true the Civic Hybrid is basically a trim line within the overall Honda Civic family, it’s important to note this is a family with a lot of
members. First of all, you have two body styles; Honda Civic Coupe and
Honda Civic Sedan. Within those two body styles there’s a full range of
trim levels. And, with the sedan you also have a variety of decidedly
eco-coscious powertrain choices. There’s the Honda Civic Hybrid, the
Honda Civic Natural Gas, and the Honda Civic HF (more on those other two
later).
With that said, the Honda Civic Hybrid is offered as a four-door sedan only, and in four trim levels. These are the base Hybrid model, Hybrid with Leather, Hybrid with Navigation, and Hybrid with Leather and Navigation. Exceptionally well equipped, the base Honda Civic Hybrid is largely outfitted the same as the standard Honda Civic Sedan with an EX trim package.
This means for a base price of $24,735 you’ll get a full range of power accessories, automatic climate control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with illuminated cruise, audio, phone, and multi-information display controls—along with cruise control, a seven-inch touchscreen display screen, a rear view camera, Bluetooth phone connectivity and audio streaming, along with text messaging. Other features include automatic headlights, keyless ignition and entry, and a HDMI interface.
Starting at $25,935, Civic Hybrid with Leather adds foglights, heated mirrors, leather upholstery and heated front seats. The Civic Hybrid with navigation starts at $26,235 and offers (as you may well have guessed) a navigation system, HD radio and satellite radio. The top line Civic Hybrid with Navigation and Leather adds leather to the Navigation package and starts at $27,435.
With that said, the Honda Civic Hybrid is offered as a four-door sedan only, and in four trim levels. These are the base Hybrid model, Hybrid with Leather, Hybrid with Navigation, and Hybrid with Leather and Navigation. Exceptionally well equipped, the base Honda Civic Hybrid is largely outfitted the same as the standard Honda Civic Sedan with an EX trim package.
This means for a base price of $24,735 you’ll get a full range of power accessories, automatic climate control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with illuminated cruise, audio, phone, and multi-information display controls—along with cruise control, a seven-inch touchscreen display screen, a rear view camera, Bluetooth phone connectivity and audio streaming, along with text messaging. Other features include automatic headlights, keyless ignition and entry, and a HDMI interface.
Starting at $25,935, Civic Hybrid with Leather adds foglights, heated mirrors, leather upholstery and heated front seats. The Civic Hybrid with navigation starts at $26,235 and offers (as you may well have guessed) a navigation system, HD radio and satellite radio. The top line Civic Hybrid with Navigation and Leather adds leather to the Navigation package and starts at $27,435.
Design
As we mentioned before, these days
the hybrid version of a car typically looks pretty much just like its
non-hybrid counterpart. For this reason, one might have a bit of
difficulty picking the Honda Civic Hybrid out on a Honda dealer’s lot
parked in among all the other Civics on offer.
Among the very minor differences are a specific set of alloy wheels, and of course a hybrid badge on the trunklid. You’ll also find a more pronounced tail spoiler, a roof-mounted antenna, and clear lenses for the LED taillights.
The last major restyle for the Honda Civic came in the 2013 model year. With the redesign came the Civic Hybrid’s open-mouth lower bumper with a horizontal chrome element and a black honeycomb mesh grille anchored by the aforementioned fog lights. The grille is flanked by a sleek clear-lens headlight treatment. Taken all together, the sculpted shape of the front end then flows into a deeply faceted hood.
At the rear, the trunk lid is capped by a horizontal chrome trim piece, the lower section of the bumper features integrated reflectors, and the diffuser panel houses a vent. The design of the taillights is integrated into the trunk.
Among the very minor differences are a specific set of alloy wheels, and of course a hybrid badge on the trunklid. You’ll also find a more pronounced tail spoiler, a roof-mounted antenna, and clear lenses for the LED taillights.
The last major restyle for the Honda Civic came in the 2013 model year. With the redesign came the Civic Hybrid’s open-mouth lower bumper with a horizontal chrome element and a black honeycomb mesh grille anchored by the aforementioned fog lights. The grille is flanked by a sleek clear-lens headlight treatment. Taken all together, the sculpted shape of the front end then flows into a deeply faceted hood.
At the rear, the trunk lid is capped by a horizontal chrome trim piece, the lower section of the bumper features integrated reflectors, and the diffuser panel houses a vent. The design of the taillights is integrated into the trunk.
Features & Controls
Seated at the chunky steering
wheel, you’ll face the typical Honda Civic driver interface, situated in
an arc and configured in a two-tiered structure. The uppermost tier
contains a digital readout for speed, as well as graphic indices for the
fuel and coolant temperature levels. Eco assist bars flanking the speed
readout glow green when optimal fuel efficiency is achieved to help you
operate the car more efficiently.
To the right of the temperature gauge, is the Civic Hybrid’s multi-information display screen—also known as i-MID. There, you’ll find information about the ministrations of the hybrid powertrain system in terms of its charging and discharging status, in addition to audio, hands-free phone use, and various other vehicle systems.
As we mentioned before, the steering wheel features controls for the cruise, audio, phone and multi-information display functions. Behind it, are stalks for the windshield wipers, turn signals and high beam headlights.
To the right of the wheel is a seven-inch touchscreen featuring audio controls and displaying the navigation system (when so equipped). The monitor also permits accessing smartphone amenities via the HondaLink system (currently configured for Apple smartphones only). This provides provide voice control using Siri Eyes Free, plus search, audio, navigation, and social media functions.
We do wish the monitor provided dials for controlling the audio system though, as wading through menus to adjust the radio or find a different station is something of a bother. Sometimes you just want to rotate a dial to turn your music up or down.
To the right of the temperature gauge, is the Civic Hybrid’s multi-information display screen—also known as i-MID. There, you’ll find information about the ministrations of the hybrid powertrain system in terms of its charging and discharging status, in addition to audio, hands-free phone use, and various other vehicle systems.
As we mentioned before, the steering wheel features controls for the cruise, audio, phone and multi-information display functions. Behind it, are stalks for the windshield wipers, turn signals and high beam headlights.
To the right of the wheel is a seven-inch touchscreen featuring audio controls and displaying the navigation system (when so equipped). The monitor also permits accessing smartphone amenities via the HondaLink system (currently configured for Apple smartphones only). This provides provide voice control using Siri Eyes Free, plus search, audio, navigation, and social media functions.
We do wish the monitor provided dials for controlling the audio system though, as wading through menus to adjust the radio or find a different station is something of a bother. Sometimes you just want to rotate a dial to turn your music up or down.
Comfort & Cargo
Easily one of the more comfortable
cars in its class, Honda’s Civic is roundly praised for its generously
sized interior (again—for its class). Legroom, both front and rear is
remarkably charitable, which is somewhat unusual for a compact sedan.
Head and shoulder room in both the front and rear seating areas is more
than adequate as well. Honda employs a mild theater style arrangement
for the rear seat, which provides better legroom and considerable thigh
support.
While the front seats offer only manual adjustments, they still make it pretty easy to find a comfortable position for most drivers and passengers. Further, the seats are both supportive and firm in all the right places. Long drives in a Honda Civic Hybrid shouldn’t result in an overabundance of fatigue. Helping considerably in this regard is the relatively quiet interior. This was an issue in previous Civic models, but with the 2013 redesign, the Honda got a more peaceful passenger compartment.
Cargo space in the Hybrid Civic is compromised somewhat when compared to its non-hybrid siblings, owing to the positioning of the battery pack. Simply put, it eats into available trunk space, leaving 10.7 cubic feet, compared to the standard sedan’s 12.5.
While the front seats offer only manual adjustments, they still make it pretty easy to find a comfortable position for most drivers and passengers. Further, the seats are both supportive and firm in all the right places. Long drives in a Honda Civic Hybrid shouldn’t result in an overabundance of fatigue. Helping considerably in this regard is the relatively quiet interior. This was an issue in previous Civic models, but with the 2013 redesign, the Honda got a more peaceful passenger compartment.
Cargo space in the Hybrid Civic is compromised somewhat when compared to its non-hybrid siblings, owing to the positioning of the battery pack. Simply put, it eats into available trunk space, leaving 10.7 cubic feet, compared to the standard sedan’s 12.5.
Safety & Ratings
Honda’s Civic was one of the first
cars in its class to earn a “good” rating (which is the best available)
in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s highly rigorous small
overlap frontal collision test.
Additionally, the IIHS rates the Civic good in moderate-overlap frontal offset, side impact, and roof strength tests. NHTSA says the Civic is worthy of a five-star overall rating, with a total of four stars in frontal impact collisions, and a total of five stars in side crash incidents.
Standard safety features include stability control, antilock brakes, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and a rearview camera. There is also a right-side blind spot camera (also known as Honda’s LaneWatch). The HondaLink system we mentioned earlier also provides emergency crash notification.
Additionally, the IIHS rates the Civic good in moderate-overlap frontal offset, side impact, and roof strength tests. NHTSA says the Civic is worthy of a five-star overall rating, with a total of four stars in frontal impact collisions, and a total of five stars in side crash incidents.
Standard safety features include stability control, antilock brakes, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and a rearview camera. There is also a right-side blind spot camera (also known as Honda’s LaneWatch). The HondaLink system we mentioned earlier also provides emergency crash notification.
Engine & Fuel Economy
Power for Civic Hybrid comes from a
1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline fired engine supplemented by a
permanent magnet electric motor. Combined, the system is capable of 110
horsepower and 127 ft-lbs of torque. A continuously variable
transmission completes the front-wheel drive powertrain.
Power for the electric motor is stored in a 144-volt 20kW lithium-ion battery pack. Like other hybrids, energy normally wasted while braking and coasting generate electricity to recharge the battery pack. Electricity is also produced by the gasoline engine, which is routed to the battery pack as needed for recharging.
The hybrid powertrain uses Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist system (IMA), which places the electric motor between the engine and the continuously variable transmission. This enables the electric motor to power the car on its own (for very short distances), as well as serve as a starter motor, in addition to an engine balancer.
A particular advantage of Honda’s IMA is its ability to use the electric motor to start the gasoline engine. Thus, when the gasoline engine is operated in stop/start mode, the electric motor spins it back up when the driver releases the brake pedal.
IMA also uses a conventional starter as a backup, which means the Civic Hybrid can operate with its high voltage electric system disabled—using only its engine like a traditional vehicle. Most hybrids are incapable of operating this way. There is a catch though, since the IMA motor also acts as the vehicle's alternator, the 12-volt accessory battery would eventually require an external charge.
The EPA says to expect 44 miles per gallon in the city, 47 on the highway, and 45 miles per gallon combined.
Power for the electric motor is stored in a 144-volt 20kW lithium-ion battery pack. Like other hybrids, energy normally wasted while braking and coasting generate electricity to recharge the battery pack. Electricity is also produced by the gasoline engine, which is routed to the battery pack as needed for recharging.
The hybrid powertrain uses Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist system (IMA), which places the electric motor between the engine and the continuously variable transmission. This enables the electric motor to power the car on its own (for very short distances), as well as serve as a starter motor, in addition to an engine balancer.
A particular advantage of Honda’s IMA is its ability to use the electric motor to start the gasoline engine. Thus, when the gasoline engine is operated in stop/start mode, the electric motor spins it back up when the driver releases the brake pedal.
IMA also uses a conventional starter as a backup, which means the Civic Hybrid can operate with its high voltage electric system disabled—using only its engine like a traditional vehicle. Most hybrids are incapable of operating this way. There is a catch though, since the IMA motor also acts as the vehicle's alternator, the 12-volt accessory battery would eventually require an external charge.
The EPA says to expect 44 miles per gallon in the city, 47 on the highway, and 45 miles per gallon combined.
Driving Impressions
Much of the standard Honda Civic’s
enjoyable driving personality carries over into the Civic Hybrid. Keep
in mind though; the Hybrid is heavier and less powerful, so you’ll want
to go into the Civic Hybrid looking for more miles per gallon than
smiles per gallon. And frankly, this is just fine. As we stated earlier,
there are so many different permutations of the Civic you’re bound to
find one fitting your style and your driving proclivities—if you just have to have a Honda Civic.
Quiet, composed, and refined are three adjectives immediately coming to mind when reflecting upon driving the Honda Civic Hybrid. Steering is suitably responsive, handling is proficient—if not thrilling, and braking is more than adequate for the Civic Hybrid’s overall mission in life.
It is a hybrid though, so a regenerative component is built into its braking system. Because of this, the first inch or so of travel in the brake pedal feels a bit off kilter when compared to a traditional braking system. This can make it a bit difficult to modulate the brakes as the car comes to a stop if you’re wont to produce a silky smooth result. But it doesn’t affect the overall braking performance.
Long story short, driving Honda’s Civic Hybrid isn’t a thrill a minute, but it isn’t a chore either.
Quiet, composed, and refined are three adjectives immediately coming to mind when reflecting upon driving the Honda Civic Hybrid. Steering is suitably responsive, handling is proficient—if not thrilling, and braking is more than adequate for the Civic Hybrid’s overall mission in life.
It is a hybrid though, so a regenerative component is built into its braking system. Because of this, the first inch or so of travel in the brake pedal feels a bit off kilter when compared to a traditional braking system. This can make it a bit difficult to modulate the brakes as the car comes to a stop if you’re wont to produce a silky smooth result. But it doesn’t affect the overall braking performance.
Long story short, driving Honda’s Civic Hybrid isn’t a thrill a minute, but it isn’t a chore either.
Final Thoughts
As good as the Civic Hybrid is,
there are other eco-conscious considerations in the Civic lineup.
There’s a special ultra economical version of the Civic, which Honda
calls Civic HF. Sporting wheels designed for maximum aerodynamics,
underbody panels calculated to cut wind resistance, a rear spoiler, and
low rolling resistance tires, the Honda Civic HF is specifically
outfitted to maximize mpg.
Power comes from a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine capable of 143 horsepower and 129 ft-lbs of torque. A continuously variable transmission is teamed with front-wheel drive. Standard features include power accessories, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, and text messaging capability. Fuel economy is rated at 31 miles per gallon in the city, 41 on the highway, and 35 combined. Pricing starts at $20,040, rather than $24,735, so it’s cheaper—although you do trade off some of the Hybrid’s fuel economy advantage.
If you’re interested in the ultimate in eco-conscious Civic transportation, there’s also the Civic Natural Gas rated at 27 mpg in the city and 38 on the highway. Running on clean burning natural gas, Civic Natural Gas significantly shrinks your carbon footprint even more than the Hybrid, starting at $26,470.
Power comes from a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine capable of 143 horsepower and 129 ft-lbs of torque. A continuously variable transmission is teamed with front-wheel drive. Standard features include power accessories, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, and text messaging capability. Fuel economy is rated at 31 miles per gallon in the city, 41 on the highway, and 35 combined. Pricing starts at $20,040, rather than $24,735, so it’s cheaper—although you do trade off some of the Hybrid’s fuel economy advantage.
If you’re interested in the ultimate in eco-conscious Civic transportation, there’s also the Civic Natural Gas rated at 27 mpg in the city and 38 on the highway. Running on clean burning natural gas, Civic Natural Gas significantly shrinks your carbon footprint even more than the Hybrid, starting at $26,470.
Pros & Cons
Pros: An abundance of comfort and spaciousness, strong fuel economy, Honda’s reputation for reliability and engineering
Cons: Audio system controls, relative lack of trunk space
Cons: Audio system controls, relative lack of trunk space
