2003 Honda Civic Hybrid Sedan

Also integrated into this IMA system is cylinder de-activation, an adaptation of the automaker's VTEC variable valve control. This feature causes three of the engine's cylinders to shut down during deceleration, significantly reducing friction and increasing the efficiency of the vehicle's regenerative energy-recovery system.


Innovation doesn't stop here. The Civic Hybrid incorporates the same idle stop feature as its hybrid Insight cousin, which automatically shuts off the engine when the Civic is stopped at a traffic light. The engine restarts immediately and seamlessly when the transmission is put into gear in manual transmission variants, or when the driver lets off the brake pedal.

As for appearance, Honda cleverly made its new hybrid simply an up-level Civic with such notable amenities as a rear airfoil and front airdam, as well as a comfortable and stylish interior.

Having your engine shut down when stopped is another one of those features that gets your attention. That said, this is offset by the marvel that comes with it automatically starting and offering seamless acceleration the moment the accelerator pedal is depressed. Like the sensation of driving with a constantly variable transmission, the uniqueness of this fades away after a short time and it simply becomes part of the driving experience.


Further advances from the original Honda IMA system have found the Power Control Unit and nickel-metal-hydride battery pack integrated into a single Intelligent Power Unit, achieving packaging reductions of some 50%. The Civic Hybrid's IPU is located in the trunk behind the rear seat, sacrificing no interior space and minimal trunk space.


One of the very clever things that Honda has done is make its new hybrid simply an up-level Civic with such notable amenities as a rear airfoil and front airdam, as well as a comfortable and stylish interior. Identifying this model as a hybrid forgoes the in-your-face styling cues of the Insight with its rear fender skirts, instead doing this job with subtle badging below the passenger's side taillamp.