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I’ve always liked Hondas and in particular Civics, but I’ve never loved them – this version of the Civic however, has changed that.... I was having too much fun! (http://www.paddocktalk.com/news/html/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=77101)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2007_HCH-II.jpgM Sulka - paddocktalk.com - Feb 17, 2008

Thanks to msantos for the find! - Ed

The next-generation Honda Civic arrived late in 2005 as a 2006 model, and as with the previous generation, it is available as a coupe, 4-door and as a hybrid. Although Honda has since discontinued the Accord hybrid, they continue offering it in the Civic. Over the past year I’ve had the opportunity to road test Ford, Lexus and Toyota’s take on the hybrid, so I was long overdue to give the Honda hybrid a work-out. Visually, the only way to tell the hybrid from the regular Civic is by the 15” full-face aluminum rims that look like wheel covers and the tiny wing on the trunk lid along with the hybrid badge on the back. http://www.paddocktalk.com/news/html/themes/PostNuke/images/pix-t.gifhttp://www.paddocktalk.com/news/html/themes/PostNuke/images/pix-t.gif

First Impressions

Unlike Civics of the past, I think this is a great looking car whether in the coupe or the 4-door version. The hybrid is only available in the 4-door configuration, so that’s what I got. My previous experience with the new Civic was both thrilling and disappointing - the sole negative for me were the painfully uncomfortable seats in the Si coupe. Fortunately, the hybrid had different seats, so right away I was happy. Climbing into the Civic brought back memories of the Honda character with their very low seat height, but this version offers height adjustment, so I was able to easily get comfortable in a more traditional seating position. The interior was a big surprise – I’d expected a cabin swathed in slight variations of the same grey or black color – this particular interior however, was bright and airy dressed in a bright blue and a light beige making the whole interior look more like the first-class section of an airplane, than a Honda Civic! Even the fabric used to cover the seats felt different. The perfectly contoured and bolstered seats are very comfortable and the support is perfectly placed. The cloth material offered plenty of grip, encouraging you to push the car deep into the corners without the fear of sliding around.
....http://www.paddocktalk.com/news/html/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=77101

Very nice article on the 2008 HCH. My "drool factor" made it to 9 just reading about it. 50 MPG city, 55 HWY is very decent. Hypermilers would probably do better. Real nice layout inside. 0 -60 in 11 seconds. Decent.

It's like Iain says. Whats not to like?

Fortunately, or unfortunately (depending upon your viewpoint), the EPA mileage estimate on the 2008 HCH II is 40 City, 45 Highway, 42 combined. I'm not sure where the estimate in the article came from.

Fr. John

@FrJohn
Maybe canada does things differently with their raitings.

39mpg sort of like the 28mpg I got from my comparison tank, with a lead foot.

I think he used the rating for 2006 and 7 model. I believe it is the same in Canada as the US for 2008. H

FrJohn, I assume those are the old EPA ratings.

We do things differently in Canada: we use L/100km in place of MPG ;)
However, I prefer MPG in my HCH because of better accuracy of the trip FE indicator.

We do things differently in Canada: we use L/100km in place of MPG ;)
...

Oldman58, Welcome to CleanMPG. :)

Cheers;

MSantos

If they would put a 5 or 6 mt in the car. I would not be waiting on CR-Z.

yes with the lean burn again.

Canadian car companies seem to promote MPG in the British fashion, so if you divide by 1.20095, you end up with 41.6 US MPG, as expected. Kind of deceptive when we're used to seeing MPG figures based on our southern neighbours. I'm sure this is purely intentional, as 50 looks much better than 42. :p

Anyone have some good numbers on the HCHII in Canadian weather, btw? Or anywhere cold. ;) Gets pretty chilly up here, which I understand really impacts the FE of hybrids. Makes me wonder if I'd end up disappointed with the winter driving performance.

Hi and welcome, Arctic Fox. Where are you from? Take a look at msantos' signature up a few posts from me. He lives in Winnipeg and has a Honda Civic Hybrid.

Ah, so he does, thanks. Some nice temperature vs. FE graphs in the garage too, I see. I'm in the Atlantic region, so not quite as cold as Winnipeg. I'm been contemplating a cheaper Yaris or a (hopefully) more efficient HCHII, so I'm trying to learn all I can. The writeup (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1306) by tarabell certainly has a wealth of info. I was wondering at first about the statement of the reviewer in the article above about how the HCH's engine never shuts off like other hybrids. According to tarabell, though, apparently even while still active during coasting, it uses no fuel. Good to know!

The writeup (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1306) by tarabell certainly has a wealth of info. I was wondering at first about the statement of the reviewer in the article above about how the HCH's engine never shuts off like other hybrids. According to tarabell, though, apparently even while still active during coasting, it uses no fuel. Good to know!

It does shut off in autostop, but you're correct not in EV mode. I really need to do so much updating to that article.... anyway, welcome Arctic Fox and feel free to ask more questions.