2006 Honda Civic Hybrid

As more models reach the market, hybrid-powered automobiles continue to entice car shoppers. Honda, having launched the second generation of its compact Civic Hybrid after introducing a larger Accord Hybrid sedan during 2005 remains, along with Toyota, at the forefront of the hybrid phenomenon. Like every thoroughly redesigned 2006 Civic, the Hybrid brandishes a fresh look—bigger and sleeker than the previous Civic Hybrid, which debuted for 2003. Honda declares the new exterior "expressive," calling attention to its "sweeping roofline" and steeply raked windshield.

Styling

Gas mileage is the main motivating factor for buying a hybrid vehicle. Honda claims that fuel economy of the Civic Hybrid has increased by four percent during city driving and 6 percent on the highway. The 2006 Civic Hybrid earns a fuel-economy rating from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of 49 mpg for city driving and 51 mpg on the highway. In contrast, a regular gas-engine Civic with an automatic transmission gets a 30/40 mpg return. Like with any vehicle, don't expect to reach the EPA figures easily, however, unless you drive with an exceptionally gentle touch on the gas pedal. In all 50 states, the Civic Hybrid qualifies as an Advanced-Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV).


This generation of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system has changed a bit, in that it can provide battery-only operation. Unlike Toyota's system, however, the Civic still cannot start off on battery power alone. As before, the gasoline engine usually shuts off when the car slows to a stop. As soon as you ease up on the brake pedal, the engine restarts. Honda says the system can now deactivate all four engine cylinders (rather than the previous three) during certain limited periods of low-speed "steady-state" cruising, but no transition is evident in ordinary driving.


Under the Hybrid's hood is a 1.3-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder gasoline engine, plus a 20-horsepower electric motor. Combined output totals 110 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 123 pound-feet of torque from 1,000 to 2,500 rpm. Abandoning its previous manual-shift model, this Civic Hybrid is only offered with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Interior

Special Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) meters and blue backlit gauges are positioned high on the two-tier instrument panel, with digital speedometer at the top, and large analog tachometer below. To the left of the tachometer, indicators show whether the IMA system is providing assistance to propel the vehicle, and to what extent, or charging the battery pack. An Idle-Stop indicator flashes when the gasoline engine has shut down.