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Honda Civic Hybrid car review

Fuel economy is an average 61.4mpg while car tax falls within Band B - £35 a year

Model tested: Honda Civic Hybrid 1.4 IMA
Price as tested: £17,100
Range price: £17,100 - £20,250
Insurance group as tested: 7
Insurance group range: 7
Date tested: December 2007
Road tester: Adrian Higgins

Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 83%

Honda has dubbed its Honda Civic Hybrid: “the first-ever “no-compromise” alternative energy car.

The power of a 1.6-litre engine and the fuel economy of a 1.1-litre engine delivered in one package? No congestion charge? A £35 annual tax bill? Sounds great.

But what’s it like to drive. We borrowed one for a week to find out.

1. Looks

Honda admits “green” cars are not always the prettiest. “Who wants to drive around in something that looks like a deflated rugby ball and struggles to overtake a milk-float?” is the rather cutting comment which could well be directed at the Toyota Prius. Speaking of its own car Honda says: “It looks like a modern, stylish saloon”, and it does. It is based on the 4-door saloon version of the 8^th generation model which is on sale in many countries outside the UK (we get the triangular-looking modern hatchback). It is longer and wider than the outgoing IMA, with a sharply-raked windscreen. A good choice if you want to wear your Green motoring badge discreetly.

8/10

2. Looks inside

Inside, the car will be more familiar to UK drivers, most notably the “dual-zone” or split instrument panel. This means some parts of the display are positioned in the conventional location “through” the steering wheel, while others including the digital speedometer are in a higher position, set a little towards the windscreen. Once the novelty has worn offit becomes very simple to use and intuitive. The central console houses the audio and air-con controls and is straightforward. The dark grey and silver trim interior is simple and stylish.

7/10

3. Practicality

Inside the car there are plenty of storage spaces with decent door wells, centre storage area and trays. Honda has also created more room for driver and front seat passenger by redesigning the front seats to make them wider and more supportive. Hip, shoulder and knee room has been improved in all positions and we found the Honda Civic a comfortable environment. However, the 350 litres boot space available in the saloon-style car is considerably less than on offer in the standard five door hatchback.

6/10

4. Ride and Handling

Honda has lengthened the car’s wheelbase and re-engineered the suspension to improve both the ride and handling against the outgoing model. It is sharp to drive and offers a high level of comfort.

8/10

5. Performance

IMA stands for Integrated Motor Assist. The Honda runs on a combination of a conventional petrol engine and an electric motor which, while not providing too much in the way of driving thrills, means Green motorists get a perfectly acceptable driving experience. The emissions-free electric motor provides a boost during times of acceleration, takes the strain when the vehicle is idling and is recharged by harnessing some of the energy provided by accelerating and braking. The 115bhp comes partly from the 1.4-litre petrol engine (accounting for 95bhp) and partly from the electric motor (which supplies the remaining 20bhp) and delivers a 0-62mph speed of 12.1 seconds with an available top speed of 115mph. The automatic gearbox is very smooth.

8/10

6. Running Costs

The Honda Civic IMA’s strongest suit. Fuel economy is an average 61.4mpg, car tax falls within Band B - £35 a year, and there is no congestion charge for driving through central London. Buyers also get a 90,000 mile warranty - extended to eight years for IMA-related parts.

10/10

7. Reliability

It’s a Honda! The Japanese manufacturer’s reputation for reliability is well-deserved with the company third in the UK’s list of most reliable carmakers. IMA has been around since 1999 when it was launched in the Honda Insight and, as mentioned above, this is the eighth generation model of a very reliable car.

9/10

8. Safety

The Honda Civic IMA achieved a four star rating following EuroNCAP crash tests. Features to keep you out of trouble include anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution, vehicle stability assist for better control during cornering. Should these not prove enough, active front headrests should reduce whiplash injuries?

8/10

9. Equipment

The standard ES model features a good level of equipment including the safety features listed above, 6 CD player and radio, cruise control and front and rear electric windows, 15-inch alloy wheels, leather steering wheel, front fog lights and heated front seats. The EX model adds leather.

9/10

10. X-Factor

Economical motoring. The Honda Civic IMA will keep plenty of pounds in your pocket once you’ve bought it. Great fuel economy and cheap car tax are great no matter where you live – and if you live or drive through central London when the Congestion Charge is applicable you will be making a significant saving.

10/10

Rivals

You might also want to consider:

Toyota Prius
Ford Focus FFV
Saab 9-3 Bio-Power

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