Video: 10 reasons to love the Honda Civic e:HEV

The iconic Honda Civic has been given the hybrid treatment, switching to e:HEV full-hybrid power whilst adopting a more straightforward look. Slightly larger than its ICE (internal combustion engine) predecessor, the new Honda Civic e:HEV combines the brand’s latest technology with its successful past.
Could this be the ultimate hybrid? Find out in our latest video.

It’s a regular family hatchback as Civics have always been, but this one’s a super-efficient full hybrid that doesn’t require plugging in. The Honda Civic e:HEV’s regenerative braking means that your fuel goes further, saving you money at the pump, and you don’t need a home charging point installed.

Two electric motors generate electricity to power the front wheels and the engine or can be stored in a small one-kilowatt-hour battery pack underneath the rear seats for use later. This hybrid technology ensures lower fuel consumption.

Generally, while travelling in urban areas below 30 miles an hour, 80 miles per gallon is possible. Rory even managed 60 miles per gallon when doing a mixture of urban a-road and Motorway speeds. Realistically, though, you can expect 55 to 80 MPG from this car which is very respectable.
Learn how to maximise your mileage and minimise your spending here

Some new models can feel like death by buttons, but in the Honda Civic e:HEV you don't have to worry about being in one of a million different driving modes. All you have to do is hop in, press D on the centre console and off you go. It really is as simple as that – there’s a power flow display which shows you where exactly the power is coming from to get you from A to B, but that’s just entirely for your own curiosity.

The Honda Civic e:HEV is an easy car to drive. From clean steering to a light body, Rory thinks it’s “very, very easy to manoeuvre”. Smooth braking even means you can come to a stop smoothly without jolting you or your passengers about.

There are a couple of paddles behind the steering wheel which look as if they were designed for you to change gears. These paddles are actually to adjust the level of brake regeneration your hybrid receives, so if you pull the left-hand paddle it will cycle through four different levels of brake regeneration. The most aggressive mode slows you down without having to press the brake pedal, and, although it doesn't come to a complete stop, it does mean that you have the option to avoid the brake pedal and just use your fingers instead.

The design is clean and simple with a large lower grille featuring horizontal bars, an upper grille with a honeycomb design, and a blue-ringed Honda badge. Its bodywork has a slightly different shape than before, with a wider stance and an a-pillar pushed backwards to line up more accurately with the centre of the front wheels. The wheelbase is 35 millimetres longer but with a 20-millimetre shorter rear overhang at the back end, making the design sleeker, especially where the boot lid joins the roof thanks to a laser welding technique with neatly packaged rear lights and notably, an exhaust tucked away from view.

The Honda Civic e:HEV is a family car so you’d expect it to have a fair bit of space. Infact, the total boot storage for this family hybrid is an incredible 410 litres, beating many of its rivals. For reference, a golf is about 380 litres, a Ford Focus is around 375 litres, and a plug-in hybrid Vauxhall Astra is around 350.

One of the best things about the Civic e:HEV’s boot is it comes with a rubberized mat which means it's waterproof, pet-proof and muck-proof. It really is no big deal if something gets spilt in there, because all you have to do is remove the whole mat, shake it off and it’s as good as new.

The Honda Civic e:HEV sure is a nice place to spend some time. Nobody wants to drive a car that isn’t comfy, and thanks to the e:HEV’s extended wheelbase, even a tall person gets quite a lot of room, a ton of leg room and a decent amount of headroom, so no squishing in or uncomfortable rides.

Who’s going to turn down a car that’s fun to drive, really? It has a 0-62 time of around eight seconds and a top speed of 112 mph, plus, the Sport mode option changes the character of the e:HEV’s driving, improving handling and giving you plenty of grip when you’re out for a spin.