Hello, Prius? Yeah, there’s a new guy in the neighborhood, and he’d like to talk about fuel efficiency. His name is the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid, and he’s got a 44/44/44 mpg rating. And he looks like a car.
While its not quite the 45 mpg rating we were promised, this 44 mpg rating on the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid is an impressive feat of engineering for a number of reasons, not the least of which was building a hybrid on one of the top selling vehicle platforms of all time. That could help the Civic Hybrid to attain the sales volume needed to make an impact on the dominant Prius sales. But as I’ve pointed out before, the MPG Gap is quickly closing between Toyota’s hybrid and the rest of the crowd, and they’re doing it in vehicles with more mass market appeal. The Civic Hybrid is 7 MPG behind in highway driving, but only 4 in the city, and I like that I could buy a Civic Hybrid, and most people wouldn’t even notice the difference (on the outside at least.)
So how did Honda improve its hybrid system for that lovely 44 mpg rating? They gave the new Civic Hybrid lithium-ion batteries to start with, which were 30% smaller than the old nickel-hydride battery pack (that the Prius V gets stuck with here in the states.) They also gave the hybrid a slightly larger engine, from 1.3 to 1.5 liters, which provides more power using the same amount of fuel. The electric motors also had their output bumped up to 20 kW as well. All told, HybridCars was able to get 68.7 mpg on a 10-mile road course set up by Honda, the best mpg score of the day during a media preview earlier in April (where was my invite?? I coulda done better.)
Alas, the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid will have a starting cost of $24,050; throw in leather, satellite radio and navigation and you’re talking closer to $27,000. Honda doesn’t have too high of sales hopes for the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid at just around 1,300 units a month, but with the extra volume from other Civic sales they can continue to invest in fuel-saving technology that will eventually spread out across their whole lineup. Sure, some media outlets aren’t happy with the lack of dynamic changes to the Civic’s looks, but I really like the looks of the most recent Civics. It feels like a completely different class of car from the Civics of old, but it doesn’t come across as trying to make a statement either. It’s just a really, really, really efficient version of the Civic, and that tickles me just right.
Source: Honda | HybridCars
Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to HEMIs. You can read about his slow descent into madness at Sublime Burnout or follow his non-nonsensical ramblings on Twitter @harshcougar.
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It’s more expensive than a base level Prius and gets worse mileage. Until Honda can compete on a MPG vs. Price level with Toyota they’ll continue to be a 2nd (or 3rd) place brand in the hybrid sector.
And I disagree with the author’s premise that people will be overwhelmed with excitement that they are driving a $24k civic. At least with a Prius there’s the benefit of “making a statement” by driving a hybrid car. I don’t know many people who would pay a premium for a hybrid car and NOT want people to know about it. Seems backwards.
@ Chris
Well add this guy to that list. If I bought a hybrid (and I won’t) I’d remove all the badging so nobody knew. Why? Because you’re still driving a car that uses oil, that costs a lot of energy to build and ship and research. I make a statement by buying and driving older, more efficient cars that were made in America. That’s the kind of statement I want to make.
That said, if I were in the market for a new car, the Honda Civic Hybrid would be towards the top of my list. But to each their own, right?
@Chris: “If I bought a hybrid (and I won’t) I’d remove all the badging so nobody knew.” .. closet environmentalist aye
… you feel ashamed caring about the world or you feel ashamed caring about the world and still voting “drill baby drill”, oops!
@ AJ
Actually, most of my cars have had their badging removed. I like subtlety in my rides. And I have yet to vote for anybody in anything
A honda hybrid with second rate performance, “tickles you right”.
Very impressive.
By the time Honda comes close to the Prius, I’ll bet the Prius will be even higher.
That’s some real Boraq Hussein oumgbama logic.
Remember: AIM LOW !
Great comment.
Very witty !
@ NOBAMA
You know, when you respond to your own comment, it kind of takes the wind out of your argument.
That said, I’ve always liked the looks of the new Civic, and like I said, it isn’t a purpose built hybrid, but based on a platform that also has a natural gas, sport, sedan, coupe, and high-fuel efficiency versions. The Prius, in that regard, is a one trick pony, whereas the Honda Civic Hybrid is a car that wears multiple hats. So yes, that tickles me right!
I live in a household where my husband drives a 2007 Prius and I drive a 2007 Civic Hybrid. Both cars suit our operational needs for different reasons, reason which no one seems to mention when comparing the two cars. When comparing or considering buying either, it’s important to consider your driving needs.
The Civic is a Hybrid which, from a stop, begins in gasoline mode and progresses to using more electricity the faster you travel. I drive long freeway distances to work and the Civic provides me better gas mileage.
The Prius’ Hybrid technology is opposite and provides better gas mileage for city driving because it utilizes battery power at lower speeds. My husband drives more locally and this suits him perfectly.
Also, consider that most people don’t drive purely city or freeway. Based on our household, in my Civic, I get an average of 37-40mpg per tank of gas depending on my style of driving. If I am conscious of being more economic with my vehicle, I’ve gotten up to 45mpg. My husband gets and average of 41-44mpg in the Prius, with a max of up to 50mpg when he is really focused on the mpg.
You should also consider what kind of ride each can offer. I’ve been a fan of both the Civic and the Prius for a long time. I’ve had many chances to drive both. I enjoy the driving experience of a Civic Hybrid more, as does my husband (surprise, rabid Prius-lovers!), because the Civic Hybrid drives like a car normally does. There’s less hesitation off the start, the handling is tighter feeling, the seating is more comfortable, the controls and gauges are nearly the same as a non-hybrid Civic and there’s no need to re-learn how to operate a car (which you kind of have to do with a Prius), and the ability to get up to speed on the freeway or to maintain speed on an incline is MUCH better.
yeah, I guess Honda could make the gap less because they were chasing the Toyota: increased 1.3L to 1.5L engine! But Toyota is having 1.8L engine now….I bet next Honda’s civic hybrid engine would be 1.8L too..