2003 Honda Civic Hybrid
Just add gas and go. And go. And go.
By John Rettie
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Overview
Hybrid gas-electric cars have recently been in the news as the government threatens to increase fuel economy standards. Major manufacturers are busy talking about producing hybrid SUVs to help improve their economy. However, just two companies, Honda and Toyota, have actually brought hybrid cars to market.
Honda has gone one better than anyone with the world's first mass-produced hybrid. What's more it's used to power the most popular subcompact car in America, the Honda Civic.
Many people mistakenly think a hybrid car needs charging like an electric car. Far from it, a hybrid runs on gasoline just like a regular car. What makes the car special is that there is an auxiliary electric motor that works to assist the small gasoline engine when extra power is needed. Honda calls this the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system.
In 1999 Honda introduced the first ever hybrid, the Insight, as a specialized hand-built high-tech two-seater car that is still on the market. But it had limited appeal because of its small size.
This should change with the Civic Hybrid with its increased practicality. It is a car that makes sense for owners interested in great fuel economy and low emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency rates the Civic Hybrid at 48/47 mpg on its City/Highway test. The most remarkable thing about this car is that it seems unremarkable: For the most part, driving this gas-electric Civic is just like driving a regular gas-powered Civic.
Model Lineup
The Civic Hybrid part of the 2003 Civic lineup. (See review covering the rest of the Civic line at www.nctd.com.)
The Hybrid is only available in two versions, one with a manual transmission that retails for $20,010 and the other with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) for $1,000 more.
Both models are based on the upscale EX Civic sedan and come loaded with features. Consequently, there are no factory-installed options available.
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