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2008 Honda Civic Hybrid Bottom Line

November 7, 2008

By Marty Padgett's avatar Marty Padgett, Executive EditorMarty Padgett

The car experts at TheCarConnection.com studied a wide range of road tests of the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid to compile this conclusive review. TheCarConnection.com's resident green-car enthusiasts also drove the new Civic Hybrid to help you decide which reviews to trust where opinions differ, to add more impressions and details, and to provide you with the best information.

Likes:

  • Fuel economy
  • Front-seat room
  • Good handling for a hybrid

Dislikes:

  • Rear-seat access
  • No pass-through to trunk
  • CVT “shift” quality

Buying Tips:


For carrying more adults or more cargo, a hybrid crossover vehicle may be a better choice than a Honda Civic Hybrid. For whatever reason, the Civic Hybrid has not been as popular as the Toyota Prius and is not subject to the kind of price premiums that Toyota's hybrid has commanded--even though it's rated at the same highway fuel economy.

The 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid takes the basic four-door Civic and gives it 45-mpg capability, through a powertrain that teams gas and electric power.

The Civic Hybrid's powertrain consists of a 1.3-liter four mated to an IMA hybrid system. The engine by itself produces 93 horsepower, assisted by a 20-hp electric motor. The system actually has five modes that let the electrics and gas engine work together in different ways, including allowing the Civic Hybrid to run on electric power alone. The Civic Hybrid gets 40/45 mpg, compared to the larger Toyota Prius's higher city mileage of 48/45 mpg.

It takes a trained eye to tell the Hybrid apart from other Civics. The Hybrid's minor cosmetic changes include a small spoiler, clear turn-signal lenses, and blue lighting for the interior, as well as a wonderfully rich blue cloth interior and blue vinyl dash cap, different wheels, and turn indicators built into the sideview mirror housings. The sedan shape is shared with the gas-powered four-doors, and it makes some compromises to style. The front seats are comfortable, but the dash standing before them has an unusual double-decker style that makes you feel like you're piloting a video game. In the Hybrid, the futuristic look is somewhat fitting. However, the design leaves a lot of wasted space above the dash, and in back, the rear doors with small cutouts make it harder for backseat passengers to get in and out of the Hybrid. There's not an abundance of headroom in back, either.

The 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid handles differently than the sedan, thanks to electric power steering, skinny tires, and its continuously variable transmission (CVT). As with most Hybrids, there's a learning curve to the Civic, such as in getting used to the numbed steering feel, the lower cornering limits, and the drone of the gas engine (the CVT keeps the engine operating near peak efficiency). The ride is a bit busy, too.

Power locks and windows are standard, as well as a tilt/telescope steering wheel, remote keyless entry, steering-wheel audio controls, a 160-watt audio system with an auxiliary jack for your MP3 player, automatic climate control, and 15-inch wheels and tires. There is no folding rear seat, because the battery pack lives between the rear seats and the trunk. Options include satellite radio and a navigation system.

Every Civic gets dual airbags, side and side curtain airbags, and anti-lock brakes. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid as "good."

Other Choices:

If you like the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid, also consider:

Reason Why:

The Toyota Prius has been a pioneer in hybrid vehicles. The current Prius has good interior room and strong fuel economy, along with hatchback utility. The Volkswagen Jetta diesel that goes on sale in fall 2008 sports fuel economy close to 50 mpg and cleaner emissions than diesels of the past. The Honda Civic GX uses natural gas, not gasoline, to provide good power and fuel economy.

The Bottom Line:

The 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid excels in fuel economy and front-seat comfort.

The car experts at TheCarConnection.com studied a wide range of road tests of the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid to compile this conclusive review. TheCarConnection.com's resident green-car enthusiasts also drove the new Civic Hybrid to help you decide which reviews to trust where opinions differ, to add more impressions and details, and to provide you with the best information. Likes:Fuel economyFront-seat roomGood handling for a hybridDislikes:Rear-seat accessNo pass-through to trunkCVT “shift” qualityBuying Tips: For carrying more adults or more cargo, a hybrid crossover vehicle may be a better choice than a Honda Civic Hybrid. For whatever reason, the Civic Hybrid has not been as popular as the Toyota Prius and is not subject to the kind of price premiums that Toyota's hybrid has commanded--even though it's rated at the same highway fuel economy. The 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid takes the basic four-door Civic and gives it 45-mpg capability, through a powertrain that teams gas and electric power. The Civic Hybrid's powertrain consists of a 1.3-liter four mated to an IMA hybrid system. The engine by itself produces 93 horsepower, assisted by a 20-hp electric motor. The system actually has five modes that let the electrics and gas engine work together in different ways, including allowing the Civic Hybrid to run on electric power alone. The Civic Hybrid gets 40/45 mpg, compared to the larger Toyota Prius's higher city mileage of 48/45 mpg. It takes a trained eye to tell the Hybrid apart from other Civics. The Hybrid's minor cosmetic changes include a small spoiler, clear turn-signal lenses, and blue lighting for the interior, as well as a wonderfully rich blue cloth interior and blue vinyl dash cap, different wheels, and turn indicators built into the sideview mirror housings. The sedan shape is shared with the gas-powered four-doors, and it makes some compromises to style. The front seats are comfortable, but the dash standing before them has an unusual double-decker style that makes you feel like you're piloting a video game. In the Hybrid, the futuristic look is somewhat fitting. However, the design leaves a lot of wasted space above the dash, and in back, the rear doors with small cutouts make it harder for backseat passengers to get in and out of the Hybrid. There's not an abundance of headroom in back, either. The 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid handles differently than the sedan, thanks to electric power steering, skinny tires, and its continuously variable transmission (CVT). As with most Hybrids, there's a learning curve to the Civic, such as in getting used to the numbed steering feel, the lower cornering limits, and the drone of the gas engine (the CVT keeps the engine operating near peak efficiency). The ride is a bit busy, too. Power locks and windows are standard, as well as a tilt/telescope steering wheel, remote keyless entry, steering-wheel audio controls, a 160-watt audio system with an auxiliary jack for your MP3 player, automatic climate control, and 15-inch wheels and tires. There is no folding rear seat, because the battery pack lives between the rear seats and the trunk. Options include satellite radio and a navigation system. Every Civic gets dual airbags, side and side curtain airbags, and anti-lock brakes. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid as "good." Other Choices:If you like the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid, also consider:Toyota PriusVolkswagen Jetta dieselHonda Civic GXReason Why:The Toyota Prius has been a pioneer in hybrid vehicles. The current Prius has good interior room and strong fuel economy, along with hatchback utility. The Volkswagen Jetta diesel that goes on sale in fall 2008 sports fuel economy close to 50 mpg and cleaner emissions than diesels of the past. The Honda Civic GX uses natural gas, not gasoline, to provide good power and fuel economy. The Bottom Line:The 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid excels in fuel economy and front-seat comfort. The car experts at TheCarConnection.com studied a wide range of road tests of the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid to compile this conclusive review. TheCarConnection.com's resident green-car enthusiasts also drove the new Civic Hybrid to help you decide which reviews to trust where opinions ...

Other Choices:

The Toyota Prius has been a pioneer in hybrid vehicles. The current Prius has good interior room and strong fuel economy, along with hatchback utility. The Volkswagen Jetta diesel that goes on sale in fall 2008 sports fuel economy close to 50 mpg and cleaner emissions than diesels of the past. The Honda Civic GX uses natural gas, not gasoline, to provide good power and fuel economy.

Next Steps:

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid

Check Financing Rates

for the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid near you

See the Honda Civic Hybrid in Other Years:

2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003

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