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000 09civichybrid
Honda Civic Hybrid
Honda
aka
Production 2003 - present
Class Hybrid
Body Style 4-door Sedan
Length 176.7 in.
Width 69.0 in.
Height 56.3 in.
Wheelbase 106.3 in.
Weight 2875 lbs.
Transmission Continuously Variable (CVT)
Engine 1.3 liter inline-4 combined with a
70mm permanent magnet and 158-volt battery
Power 110 hp @ 6000 RPM
123 lb-ft @ 1000-2500 RPM
Similar Toyota Prius
Designer

The Honda Civic Hybrid is a hybrid version of the Honda Civic sedan.

The Civic Hybrid was first introduced for the 2003 model year. The 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid is an assist hybrid utilizing an Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system similar to that of the Insight and a Continuously Variable Transmission for improved fuel efficiency.

The Civic Hybrid, similar to the whole Civic lineup, was redesigned in 2006 and based off the new Civic platform.[1] Before the 2006 model year, the electric motor was not able to drive the car itself but provided useful assistance to the gasoline engine during heavy load situations like accelerating. Starting in 2006, however, the electric motor is able to maintain the car at a low speed cruise (20-30 mph) without power from the gasoline engine.

See Autopedia's comprehensive Honda Civic Hybrid Review.

Recent Changes[]

  • In Europe, Honda is offering the Civic Hybrid to cabbies as an alternative taxi to the diesel and LPG-powered vehicles that dominate the business. Boasting a combined EU cycle of 4.9 lt /100km (48 mpg US), it even comes equipped with pre-installed roof brackets and a mounting for the taxi-meter on the dashboard as well as some other special equipment such as heavy duty floor mats. Pricing starts at €17,990 in Germany. [2]
  • For 2009, the Civic and Civic Hybrid receives its first mid-cycle facelift.[3]
  • The Civic Hybrid was completely redesigned for 2006. It comes standard with a 110-horsepower, 1.3L 8-valve, i-VTEC, 4-cylinder gasoline engine and includes a dual-point sequential ignition (i-DSI), Nickel-metal hydride (NI-MH) battery pack, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), dual-Stage, dual threshold front airbags (SRS), front Side Airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), curtain side airbags, Outboard Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH), and blue backlit gauges with electronic IMA display.
  • It also features body-colored power side mirrors with integrated turn indicators, 160-watt AM/FM/XM Ready/CD audio system with 6 speakers, steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, automatic climate control with air-filtration system, IMA Charge and Assist indicators, and an available Honda satellite-linked navigation system with voice recognition and digital audio media audio-card reader.[4]

Styles and Major Options[]

5 seat four-door front wheel drive sedan

Optional Equipment

Dealer Accessories

  • Auto day/night rearview mirror with compass
  • Fog lights
  • Half nose mask
  • Full nose mask
  • All-season floor mats
  • Leather steering wheel cover
  • Wheel locks
  • Chrome exhaust finisher
  • Car cover
  • Splash guards

Pricing[]

Today's actual prices for the Civic Hybrid can be found at CarsDirect.

2007 Trim

Price (not including $670 destination charge)

Hybrid CVT

Hybrid CVT w/ Navigation

MSRP

$22,600

$24,350

Invoice

$20,789

$22,394

Gas Mileage[]

File:Realhybridmileage.jpg

[http://greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/ Real Hybrid Mileage Database

The 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid has an EPA estimate of 40/45 MPG (City/Highway) [5], however, as seen on the Real Hybrid Mileage Database at GreenHybrid.com, most Civic Hybrid owners get somewhere around 47 MPG.

Trim

FWD CVT

Engine

1.3L I-4

MPG (City/Highway)

40/45

Reliability[]

Safety[]

  • 3-Point Seat Belts at all Seating Positions
  • Front 3-Point Seat Belts with Automatic Tensioning System
  • Adjustable Front Seat Belt Anchors
  • Driver's and Front Passenger's Seat Belt Reminder
  • Dual-Stage, Dual Threshold Front Airbags (SRS)
  • Front Side Airbags with Passenger-Side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS)
  • Side Curtain Airbags
  • Active Head Restraints
  • Anti-Lock Braking Sytem(ABS)
  • Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
  • Brake Assist
  • Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
  • Side Impact Door Beams
  • Outboard Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
  • Child-Proof Rear Door Locks
  • Emergency Trunk Opener

2007 EuroNcap Testing[]

CARSCOOP 34


Photos[]

Colors[]

Exterior[]

Galaxy Gray Metallic Galaxy Gray Metallic

Magnetic Pearl Magnetic Pearl

Opal Silver Blue Metallic Opal Silver Blue Metallic

Taffeta White Taffeta White

Taffeta White Alabaster Silver Metallic

Interior[]

  • Blue (Magnetic Pearl, Alabaster Silver Metallic)
  • Ivory (Galaxy Grey Metallic, Opal Silver Blue Metallic, Taffeta White)

Main Competitors[]

Unique Attributes[]

Resale Values[]

Kelley Blue Book offers a range of resale value information, with mileage and equipment levels factored in.

Criticisms[]

  • The rear seats do not fold down due to the position of the battery directly behind the rear backrests.
  • Some potential buyers may not find the Honda Civic Hybrid's interior very visually appealing.
  • A-pillars are exceedingly large and hurt outward vision.
  • No cell phone integration with navigation or standard audio system prior to 2009, standard with navigation in model year 2009.

Generations[]

Second generation (2006–present)[]

File:Gen2.jpg

Second Generation Honda Civic Hybrid

For years, the Honda Civic Hybrid has been on the short end of the stick in terms of gasoline-electric automobile sales. With the popularity of the second generation Toyota Prius, Honda has taken a big hit in terms of hybrid market share; Honda’s hybrid trio is currently only netting half the sales figures of Toyota’s single claim to hybrid fame. However, the 2006 Civic Hybrid might be the key to changing that trend for Honda in the coming years. More importantly, the 2006 Civic Hybrid is a step in the right direction for consumers looking for excellent fuel economy in an unobtrusive family car. The 2006 Civic Hybrid takes the best learning and technological advancements from its predecessors and wraps them in a fun-to-drive style that makes owning a hybrid the perfect choice for today's modern driver. As with most hybrids, the most impressive features of the Civic Hybrid can be found under the hood. The 2006 Civic Hybrid features a 93-horsepower 1.3-liter i-VTEC engine coupled with a 20-horsepower electric motor and Honda’s Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) for a net power-output of 110 hp.[6] 2006 was the first year that the Hybrid featured an i-VTEC engine, which is known for its 3-stage VTEC capability. This new 3-stage engine adds a valve timing configuration for rapid acceleration that allows the 2006 Civic Hybrid to boast a 20% increase in power over its older sibling, the 2005. While Honda tuners and Japanese import enthusiasts are no strangers to i-VTEC, Honda hopes that its introduction to the hybrid crowd will help settle some questions about sluggish, underpowered gasoline-electric Civics.

First Generation/Origins (2003-2005)[]

File:Gen1.jpg

First Generation Honda Civic Hybrid

Honda offered the Civic hybrid for the first time in March 2002, as a 2003 model.[7] It resembled the regular civic sedan save for a few minor exterior changes such as aerodynamically styled light alloy wheels and roof mounted roof antenna. Underneath the car, two underbody belly pans improved aerodynamics. Honda claimed 7 percent of the improvement in fuel economy came from these aerodynamic changes.

Inside, the Civic Hybrid's interior set it apart from the regular American market Civic, with its tasteful two-tone finish. The instrument cluster had four quadrants with bar graphs. Two had straightforward fuel and water temperature gauges. Another displayed the charge of the batteries. The last quadrant on top showed whether the electric motor is being used to assist the gas engine was being used as a generator to charge the batteries. The instrument pod contained a central speedometer with a digital readout at the base that included the miles traveled along with a bar graph showing the instantaneous fuel consumption and past average. This has been modified and revised in the 2nd generation car, although the same style theme still remains. Accommodations were quite a bit more polished overall, compared with the top-of-the-line EX model, and that has continued over into the 2nd generation Civic Hybrid.

Worldwide[]

File:8thcivichybrid.jpg

Civic Hybrid (Japanese)

File:Csx.jpg

Acura CSX (Canadian)

Japan[]

Honda sells the civic hybrid in Japan with slightly different front and rear end styling.

Canada[]

In addition the Civic Hybrid, Honda offers a rebadged Civic called the Acura CSX. It has the same head and taillight clusters as the Japanese market civic hybrid. It offers luxury features such as leather interior and power seats. The CSX has a slightly larger 2.0L inline-4 i-VTEC engine, compared with the Civic's 1.8L four. Rumors of an Acura CSX hybrid for the Canadian market remain just rumors (so far).

Great Britain[]

Honda sells Japanese Civic hybrids in the United Kingdom with slightly different color offerings. This makes sense as both countries drive on the left side of the road versus the right hand side of the road as in North America. Leather interior and stainless steel door sill plates are available as well. Fog lights also appear in the lower portion of the front bumper cover.

Australia[]

Honda sells the Japanese market Civic hybrids in Australia as well since they also drive on the left side of the road as does Japan. Australian cars have less features offered. Satellite-linked navigation system and a leather interior are not available. Ditto for the stainless steel door sill plates. Foglights also appear in the lower portion of the front bumper cover, as in the United Kingdom market cars.

México[]

Honda Civic Híbrido models much resemble American market Civic Hybrids. They are offered in an exclusive color called Plata cristal which resembles a tone of sky blue. The Civic Híbrido interior is only offered in the color Azul, an appealing shade of navy blue, also exclusive to México. Satellite-linked navigation system and a leather interior are not available.

Design quirks and oddities[]

  • A very interesting innovation that can be found under the hood of the Civic Hybrid is the use of eight spark plugs. This is not an unusual thing in the automotive world, as there are many eight cylinder engines on the market; however, the fact that Honda has placed eight spark plugs on its four cylinder engine is quite unique. These spark plugs then have two modes of operation. Sometimes they will fire one after the other, with the plug situated near the intake valve firing first and the exhaust plug firing later. This offset firing order allows for a more complete combustion of fuel in the cylinder, giving the car more power, greater efficiency, and cleaner emissions. Other times, in high stress situations, the plugs can also fire simultaneously for a greater power boost.
  • The 2006 innovations continue with the new electric motor. The Honda Civic Hybrid’s DC motor is mounted between the engine and the CVT, and commands an improved 20 hp and 66 pounds-feet of torque. This 50% improvement in horsepower and 14% improvement in torque is an important step given the electric motor’s greater role in this second generation Honda Civic Hybrid. Also important is an increase in the motors ability to convert available electricity into kinetic energy, up to 96% from 94.6%.
  • A new, standard Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) handles power delivery for 2006 Civic Hybrids. This CVT is the fourth generation that has been produced by Honda, and features a 9% increased range between minimum and maximum gear ratios. This allows for smoother acceleration, in which transitions are predictable, and lower engine RPMs at high speeds.
  • The first generation of Civic Hybrid (03-05) could be had with a manual 5 speed transmission. The gauges of the manual transmission included a shift up and shift down light which would help the driver reach optimum gas mileage.

Awards[]

  • 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid receives the World Car of the Year Award for greenest car.
  • The all-new 2006 Civic was named the Motor Trend© Car of the Year.
  • MotorWeek names all-new Civic Hybrid Sedan the Best of the Year and Best Small Car
  • The Civic Hybrid Sedan won the IntelliChoice® "Best Overall Value of the Year" in the compact class.
  • The all-new Civic was named by Kelley Blue Book as the "Best Redesigned Vehicle of 2006."
  • The Civic was named the 2006 North American Car of the Year.
  • The 2006 Civic recieved the "Top Safety Pick – Gold" from the IIHS.
  • The Civic Hybrid's engine won the "International Engine of the Year - 1 liter to 1.4 liter" size category award for three years straight from 2002 through 2004 as well as the "Best Fuel Economy" category for 2003 and 2004.
  • The Civic Hybrid has also won Motor Trend 2006 Car of the Year award, along with the rest of the Civic range.

See also[]


Nsx-strip2
HONDA

Honda Motor Company


Honda | Acura | Li Nian | Honda Racing Corporation | Honda F1 Racing | Mugen


Current

USA: Fit/Jazz · Civic · Accord · Civic Hybrid · Odyssey · CR-V · Pilot · Ridgeline · Civic GX · Civic Si · FCX Clarity · Insight Hybrid · Accord Crosstour · CR-Z

Europe/Asia: City · Jazz · FR-V · Legend . Accord (European) . Civic Type-R

Japan: Inspire · Stream · Legend · Life . Odyssey (Japanese)· Step WGN . Freed

Historic

1300 · Acty · Airwave · Avancier · Ballade · Beat · Capa · City Turbo · CR-X · CR-X del Sol · Concerto · Domani · EV Plus · FCX · FR-V · HR-V · Insight · Inspire · Integra · Life Dunk · Logo · Mobilio · Mobilio Spike · MR-V · N360 · N600 · NSX · Orthia · Passport · Prelude · Quint · Stream · S500 · S600 · S800 · S2000 · That's · Today · Z · Z600 · ZEST · Accord Hybrid · Element

Concept

Small Hybrid Sports · StepBus · Dualnote · HSC · JVX · Remix · Spocket · WOW · FCX Concept · Accord Tourer Concept · 1-4 Concept · 2007 CR-Z Concept · PUYO Concept · Accord Coupe HF-S Concept · Pilot SUV Concept · Inspire / Accord Modulo Concept · Pilot Prototype · Civic Type-RR Mugen Concept · Racer Hot Wheels · Open Study Model (OSM) Concept · Insight Hybrid Concept · City Concept · Civic HFP Concept · FC Sport Fuel-Cell Design Study · The Great Race 2025 Concept · Sports Modulo S2000 Concept · Sports Modulo Fit Concept · Life Style Study · NSX Mugen RR Concept · Accord SR-9 Study · 2009 CR-Z Concept · EV-N Concept · Skydeck Concept · P-NUT Concept · New Small Concept · Insight Sports Modulo Concept · SSM Concept · Odyssey Concept · 3R-C Concept · Li Nisn Everus Concept · Air Concept · CR-Z Hybrid R Concept · CR-Z Racer Concept · Fit EV Concept · BRIO Concept · Civic Concept · N800

Racing

RA271 · RA272 · RA273 · RA300 · RA301 · RA302 · RA106 · RA107 · HSV-010


Keihin · Showa Corporation · Nippon Seiki · List of Honda engines · Mugen


Soichiro Honda Corporate website independent


External Links[]

Smallwikipedialogo.png This page uses some content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Honda Civic Hybrid. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Autopedia, the text of Wikipedia is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.


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