• HOME
• 
• AUTO LISTINGS
• 
• FINANCE
• 
• NEWS
• 
• DIRECTORY
• 
• REVIEWS
• 
• FORUM
• 
• BLOG
• 

2006 Honda Civic Hybrid Road Test

What a Difference a Model Year Makes

What a year its been for motorists! I cant say that the astronomically high fuel prices, which went up to $3.00 per gallon in some parts of the country, are as difficult to live with as those long lineups at filling stations during the fuel shortage of the mid-70s, but they sure are changing the way most of us drive. I, for one, am a little lighter on the throttle than I used to be, enjoy thrifty gas misers more than gluttonous premium vehicles, at least over long periods of time, and if Im stuck with a gas guzzler, tend to fill up with a lower grade of gas than I would have before the $2.50+ per gallon era.

Ive heard similar stories from friends and colleagues, many of which are thinking about going smaller for their next vehicle, or leaning

High fuel costs have caused more and more motorists to consider alternatively powered cars, and hybrids are high on the list. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

toward diesel or hybrid technology. Personally, Im a big fan of both. Diesel is a less complicated way to solve one aspect of the current fuel crisis, increasing range from a tank of fuel and therefore reducing consumption. Diesels also lower greenhouse gas emissions over traditional gasoline engines, partially due to using less fuel, but some emissions, such as nitrogen oxides and particulates, are often increased. Theres also

With noticeable benefits in fuel economy where it matters most, in the city, and very often advantages in acceleration, hybrids are not only becoming the darlings of the environmental movement. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

the problem of 2007 emission regulations, and the fact that there isnt a single diesel sold anywhere in the world that currently meets them.

While automakers such as Volkswagen, which sells a substantial portion of its new vehicles with TDI diesel engines, and Mercedes-Benz, which has long offered diesel power to an extremely loyal clientele, will no doubt find ways to meet the 2007 regulations, a small number of rival manufacturers arent

Last years $19,900 Civic Hybrid (shown) seems like a good deal next to the $21,850 2006 model, that is until the improvements of the new car are witnessed first hand. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

worried one iota about such problems. Rather, Toyota, Honda, Ford, and to some extent GM, are raking in market share, if not profits, with hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). With noticeable benefits in fuel economy where it matters most, in the city, and very often advantages in acceleration, hybrids are not only becoming the darlings of the environmental movement, but also answering consumers need for a more economical transportation alternative.
Of course, doing the right thing has a price, which only last year was $19,900. Now, that

The new Hybrid enjoys all of the design upgrades that make the conventional Civic sedan a real head-turner, and a few unique details such as turn signals integrated into the sideview mirrors. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

price has increased to $21,850, $23,350 with the optional navigation system, which puts hybrid ownership even more out of reach of those needs driven consumers who could use the fuel savings most. That sum does buy a fully optioned Civic, mind you, a much better car overall than the 2005 model, and its still less than a top-tier Civic GX CVT with ABS - although that car comes with leather seating surfaces and trim, plus additional goodies. 
OK, enough already, the new Civic Hybrid is a good deal. So what makes it all that more enticing than the old model?

Well, styling for one. The new Hybrid enjoys all

The sedans taillights are positively original, and shaped in such a complicated yet pleasing form as to make describing them without the help of a photo near impossible. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

of the design upgrades that make the conventional Civic sedan a real head-turner, such as a sportier front end treatment incorporating sharply angled headlamp clusters, a new chromed grille insert, flowing character lines that run from the front wheel arches, across the cars shoulders and through to the its tail end, bypassing raked A-pillars and large exterior mirrors, integrating unique triangular turn signals - exclusive to the Hybrid.

Page:  1  2  3

AUTOMOBILE REVIEWS BY MAKE

Acura  Audi   Bentley   BMW   Buick   Cadillac   Chevrolet   Chrysler   Daewoo   Dodge   Eagle   Ferrari   Ford   Geo   GMC   Honda   Hummer   Hyundai   Infiniti   Isuzu   Jaguar   Jeep   Kia   Lamborghini   Lexus   Lincoln   Lotus   Maserati   Mazda   Mercedes-Benz   Mercury   MINI   Mitsubishi   Nissan   Oldsmobile   Plymouth   Pontiac   Porsche   Saab   Saturn   Scion   Subaru   Suzuki   Toyota   Volkswagen   Volvo