Hybrid » Honda Civic Blog

As the New Year unravels before us we are lucky to find that some of the things remain true and worthy of our trust. So does the 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid – it delivers what it promises – taking you any place with superb fuel efficiency. As you probably know, the four-door Hybrid takes advantage of the blend of gasoline and electric power to give you an unbeatable 45 mpg, not only to save your money, but to truly take care of the environment. At a price starting from $23,800, the Hybrid enters the ring to compete with the VW Jetta TDI, the Civic GX running on natural gas, and of course the new Toyota Prius hybrid.

The system used in the 2010 Hybrid boasts 5 various modes to let the electrics and gas engine co-work. Theoretically the Hybrid is capable of running on electric power alone, but you would be surprised to see it for any noticeable time span. The engine is a 93-horsepower 1.3-liter powertrain especially suitable for working together with the hybrid system. It is assisted in its task by a 20-horsepower electric motor.

Some of the expert reviewers have already tried the new 2010 Civic Hybrid on the road. Like all the other Civics, it behaves extremely well in the domain of handling, making relaxed driving a dream. But some of the complaints were that the steering felt somewhat numb and not overly responsive, and that the gasoline engine has to rev at high speeds when the situation calls for it. However cruising around town at moderate speeds is pleasurable, with only electric power engaged at times.

To sum it all up, the 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid presents a real and tried way to reduce your fuel expenses, in the same time not showing off your green credentials to everyone. And as a tip for potential buyers, the all new 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid sedan is virtually unchanged from the previous year model, so you may as well save your money on a lightly used model from 2009.

Since it first drove onto the market in 1973, the Honda Civic has been hailed by critics and drivers alike for their reliability, longevity, and fuel efficiency. In fact, Civics are so indestructible, that the model my parents drove me home from the hospital in as a newborn was the first car I drove 16 years later when I got my license. It was still running fine one year later when we drove it to the local junkyard, my father opting to retire it before it started to fall apart – but who knows when that would have been? Oh, and we replaced it with another Civic.

There are countless worthy years and models to choose from when buying a used Honda Civic, with many online sites, like AutoHound, AutoHopper and AutoTrander, offering competitive deals. However, in the long and esteemed history of the Civic there are two models that truly stand out in terms of style, fuel efficiency, and engine power: the 2006 Sedan Hybrid and the 2000 Coupe Si.

The 2006 Honda Civic Sedan Hybrid is part of the newest generation of Civics, and conservatively claims it can reach up to 42 mpg – some experts actually put output at 50 mpg. Like all models built after 2005, the Hybrid features the redesigned hood and windshield design, as well as improved dashboard gauges that make the driver feel they are actually in the cockpit of a space-ready hovercraft instead of a Civic. It is powered by a four cylinder engine that works seamlessly with an electric component to provide 110 horsepower. Not everyone will like the redesigned interior or loss of engine power, and not enough time has passed to really gauge the lifespan of the hybrid engine. So when purchasing a 2006 Hybrid, don’t settle for anything more than 45,000 miles – just to be safe.

It is hard to go wrong with the 2000 Honda Civic Coupe Si, a sturdy little car that consistently hits 25 mpg. The Si was reintroduced to Honda lovers in the second half of 1999 and features 160 horsepower from a 1.6 liter VTEC engine. The 2000 Si is visually updated from previous Si models through the addition of spoilers, 15-inch alloy wheels, and side graphics. Air condition, CD players, keyless entry, and power doors and windows are also included features on this model. Like most Hondas, this model is worthwhile up to 100,000 miles, and costs around $7,000.

The bottom line is that when you are looking to purchase a used car, it is hard to beat the quality, lasting performance, and reliability of a Civic – unless the competition is the equally as worthwhile Honda Accord.