2008 Honda Civic Hybrid

Fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly, the 2008 Civic Hybrid combines innovative hybrid technology with Honda's reputation for quality and craftsmanship. It also wraps itself in the Civic's clean and contemporary exterior design, which receives high marks from owners and reviewers alike. Competing primarily against the Toyota Prius, the Honda Civic Hybrid receives only a few minor updates for 2008, including a new standard tire pressure monitoring system.

While the Civic Hybrid posts impressive fuel economy numbers of up to 45 mpg on the highway, it gets mixed reviews for its power and performance. Some drivers find it a weak performer with sluggish acceleration, especially when attempting to pass at highway speeds above 70 mph, while others consider it an adequate performer around town.

The Hybrid's powerplant mates an ultra-thin and somewhat underpowered 20-hp electric motor with a 1.3-liter inline four-cylinder (I4) gas engine for a combined 110 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque. In typical operation the two powerplants support each other and operate in unison, which helps improve fuel economy and reduces emissions.

The two powerplants rarely operate separately, although at low speeds of 15 to 20 mph the electric motor sometimes powers the car by itself. In addition, to conserve fuel, a stop/start feature shuts down the Hybrid's engine when the vehicle stops in traffic, and a similar fuel cut-off feature saves gas when the Hybrid decelerates. Regenerative braking recharges the Hybrid's battery. The electric and gas powerplants link to a CVT continuously variable transmission, which was designed for smooth shifting.

Drivers report there's little indication when the gas engine shuts off and the electric motor takes over as the sole provider of power, other than a digital bar graph on the instrument panel, which lights up when the car runs solely on electric power.

While Honda notes fuel economy numbers of up to 45 mpg, some drivers report their disappointment in being unable to achieve numbers that high. The secret, according to reviewers, lies in the way the car is driven. Under aggressive driving by a heavy-footed owner, the car won't achieve fuel economy in the 45-mpg range, but if the driver takes a more leisurely approach and keeps an eye on the dashboard gauges, which give an indication of fuel usage, it's possible to achieve fuel economy numbers in the 40s.

By R. Feeman