Honda Civic Hybrid

The 2009 Honda Civic hybrid is one of the most fuel-efficient cars to enter the market this year. It's a carryover from the 2008 model, with a sportier style, new features and higher efficiency. It has gas mileage of 40mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway, based on 2009 EPA mileage estimates, making it the second most fuel-efficient hybrid on the market (after the Toyota Prius). This refreshed version is being released while Honda is testing the highly-expected Global Hybrid, which is scheduled for 2010.

Honda has accomplished some interesting things in the environmental field over the last three decades as is considered one of the leaders in the automotive industry. A few of Honda’s accomplishments include: the release of the first car to meet the 1970 Clean Air Act in 1974 and the first four-passenger battery electric vehicle in 1997. Unfortunately, the latter never really got very far off the ground. See here the following page for a detailed time line of Honda's history of environmental achievements.

PROS:

The new Honda has a highly efficient 1.3 liter, 8 valve i-VTEC 4-cylinder gasoline engine, combined with a high-output electric motor. The car is equipped with a Continuously Variable Transmission, an advanced transmission that provides a better fuel economy, with infrequent fill-ups needed, and a better acceleration. When extra power is needed, the electric motor and engine produce 110 horsepower at 6000 rpm. Honda demonstrates its commitment to providing safety with the addition of several features including the Vehicle Stability Assist, which helps the driver maintain vehicle control in situations of slippage, sudden maneuver, etc. The Civic Hybrid features an "idle-stop" which temporarily turns off the engine to save fuel and reduce emissions when the car comes to a stop. The car is an AT-PZEV (Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) rated car, which means it's a super-ultra-low-emission vehicle with zero-evaporative emissions and a 15 year/150,000 mile warranty on emissions equipment.

CONS:

The Honda civic Hybrid 2009 is presently only offered as a four-door Sedan. Critics say it needs better sound insulation, complaining of whirring noises under acceleration. The car is also not as powerful as expected. Indeed, the electric motor boosts the car only to a very limited extent. Accelerating thus requires some strategy and planning ahead by the driver. Critics of the new Honda Hybrid have also suggested that the car is a bit stiff in its handling.