Honda Civic Hybrid (2006-) Review

On the road

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The oddest thing about the Civic Hybrid is just how normal it feels. Electric motors traditionally feel odd, as do CVT gearboxes, and the Hybrid has both - yet for the most part it feels ordinary to the point of dullness. Unlike the rival Toyota Prius's, the instruments don't display a fetishistic interest in where the power is coming from and going to at any given moment.

This all makes perfect sense, in so far as the Civic's not meant to be a car for driving enthusiasts or techno buffs - it's transport for commuters, reps and families who want to get from A to B with minimal fuss and without causing undue harm to the environment.

One of the things that make the Prius stand out is its terrific acceleration away from a standing start, due to the instant-on qualities of the electric motor. Although the Honda's Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system employs an electric motor to boost the petrol engine during acceleration, it's not set up for such a rapid getaway, and whereas the Toyota travels to 62mph in 10.9 seconds, the Honda takes 12.1. The Honda's top speed of 109mph is, however, 5mph faster than the Toyota's.

The IMA system also brings the electric motor to the fore during idling at a standstill, when the petrol engine cuts out. The engine uses Honda's i-DSI (Intelligent Dual and Sequential Ignition) system, with two spark plugs per cylinder. Their firing can be staggered to maximise the efficiency of the combustion process. The i-VTEC valve control system incorporates VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) which, during deceleration, ensures all four cylinders are sealed shut, so the pistons carry on moving but aren't wastefully pumping fuel or air.

The suspension includes a multi-link double wishbone system at the rear, which is fancier than the Civic hatchback's, and gives a smooth, comfortable ride. However, there's a lot of slack in the steering, which has none of the hatchback's precision, and the brakes feel overwhelmed by the 1,297kg kerb weight.