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2009 Honda Civic Hybrid Review

May 27, 2009

STYLING | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

the current Civic sedan looks futuristic compared to its predecessor
Cars.com

some drivers find the two-tier display distracting
Edmunds

bold front-end styling with a steeply raked windshield
ForbesAutos

The 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid shares the same radical styling carried by the Civic sedan, with only a few minor modifications.

While the majority of reviewers like the design of the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid, there are some mixed feelings. Overall, reviewers tend to side with Edmunds, whose testers are "quite fond of the current-generation Civic" and its futuristic styling. The 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid shares much of its body design with conventional Honda Civics, including what ForbesAutos calls its "bold front-end styling with a steeply raked windshield." Reviewers at Cars.com point out "the current Civic sedan looks futuristic compared to its predecessor," and "the hybrid takes the look even further, with disc-like 15-inch alloy wheels fitted with low-rolling-resistance tires." Not all reviewers appreciate the silhouette, as Car and Driver feels that "from the B-pillar forward, it has almost a minivan look to it," contributing to a "front end [that] looks pretty strange." Kelley Blue Book notes that other visual distinctions between conventional Honda Civics and the Civic Hybrid are "side mirrors with integrated turn indicators," along with "clear front turn signal lenses, mild trunk spoiler, small roof-mounted antenna and hybrid badging."

The interior is also love it or hate it, especially when it comes to the dashboard and displays. ConsumerGuide sings the virtues of the "two-tier instrument panel" where the "speedometer's digits are in driver's line of sight for viewing without taking focus off [the] road." Edmunds observes that the "digital speedometer and gas gauge are at the base of the windshield," and "some drivers find the two-tier display distracting," though "others say it makes quick visual checks of speed easier." However, Car and Driver testers feel that the dashboard is "odd" and gives "the impression that a designer is trying a bit too hard to make the civilian Civic into a Formula 1 racer." One knock on the Honda Civic Hybrid's control design comes from ConsumerGuide, where reviewers find that "the navigation system takes time to master, has undersized buttons, and absorbs too many audio functions"; they also complain that "its screen is difficult to read in changing light conditions." Kelley Blue Book reports that, for 2009, Honda offers "a two-tone blue cloth interior" as standard, and Edmunds praises the "easy to operate" controls. 2009 brings an optional leather-trimmed interior to the Honda Civic Hybrid.

Conclusion

The 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid is styled to look futuristic—which you may love or hate.

STYLING | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:the current Civic sedan looks futuristic compared to its predecessorCars.comsome drivers find the two-tier display distractingEdmundsbold front-end styling with a steeply raked windshieldForbesAutos The 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid shares the same radical styling carried by the Civic sedan, with only a few minor modifications. While the majority of reviewers like the design of the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid, there are some mixed feelings. Overall, reviewers tend to side with Edmunds, whose testers are "quite fond of the current-generation Civic" and its futuristic styling. The 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid shares much of its body design with conventional Honda Civics, including what ForbesAutos calls its "bold front-end styling with a steeply raked windshield." Reviewers at Cars.com point out "the current Civic sedan looks futuristic compared to its predecessor," and "the hybrid takes the look even further, with disc-like 15-inch alloy wheels fitted with low-rolling-resistance tires." Not all reviewers appreciate the silhouette, as Car and Driver feels that "from the B-pillar forward, it has almost a minivan look to it," contributing to a "front end [that] looks pretty strange." Kelley Blue Book notes that other visual distinctions between conventional Honda Civics and the Civic Hybrid are "side mirrors with integrated turn indicators," along with "clear front turn signal lenses, mild trunk spoiler, small roof-mounted antenna and hybrid badging." The interior is also love it or hate it, especially when it comes to the dashboard and displays. ConsumerGuide sings the virtues of the "two-tier instrument panel" where the "speedometer's digits are in driver's line of sight for viewing without taking focus off [the] road." Edmunds observes that the "digital speedometer and gas gauge are at the base of the windshield," and "some drivers find the two-tier display distracting," though "others say it makes quick visual checks of speed easier." However, Car and Driver testers feel that the dashboard is "odd" and gives "the impression that a designer is trying a bit too hard to make the civilian Civic into a Formula 1 racer." One knock on the Honda Civic Hybrid's control design comes from ConsumerGuide, where reviewers find that "the navigation system takes time to master, has undersized buttons, and absorbs too many audio functions"; they also complain that "its screen is difficult to read in changing light conditions." Kelley Blue Book reports that, for 2009, Honda offers "a two-tone blue cloth interior" as standard, and Edmunds praises the "easy to operate" controls. 2009 brings an optional leather-trimmed interior to the Honda Civic Hybrid. ConclusionThe 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid is styled to look futuristic—which you may love or hate. 2009 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID STYLING | [8 out of 10] Cars.com: "the current Civic sedan looks futuristic compared to its predecessor" Edmunds: "some drivers find the two-tier display distracting" ForbesAutos: "bold front-end styling with a steeply raked windshield" The 2009 Honda Civic ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The new Volkswagen Jetta TDI sports real-world highway fuel economy in the 40s, with cleaner emissions than diesels of the past, and it’s a much more settled choice for highway driving. The Honda Civic GX uses natural gas, not gasoline, to provide good power and fuel economy; its range is rather short, but it’s even more economical to run than a hybrid if you have access. 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; an all-new Prius is expected very soon, as a 2010 model.

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See the Honda Civic Hybrid in Other Years:

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

Comments (1 total)

  1. fb_1527437836 avatar by Manish Lekhra #2, Posted: 8/31/2009

    I've never even thought about commenting till now. I guess if I really like a post I find myself checking the external links for more and favoriting (if that is a word) the post instead.
    From now on though I'll definitely try and drop a comment every so often.
    _____________
    manishfusion
    Honda Civic--Honda Civic

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