tigerhonaker
07-29-2006, 01:40 AM
G. Chambers Williams III: Gas-saving Civic a hit
Web Posted: 07/27/2006 09:50 PM CDT
San Antonio Express-News
Honda's eighth generation of the compact Civic coupe and sedan arrived last fall for model year 2006.
Shortly thereafter, in late fall, the redesigned Civic hybrid sedan joined the lineup, followed in December by the sporty Si coupe.
Today, it's possible to get a Civic hybrid, but there's usually at least a short wait. That's because consumers are lining up to get any of the really good gas-saving vehicles they can find, and the Civic is near the top of that list.
With the redesign, the styling of all the new Civics is more interesting than before, but the changes aren't radical, and the cars still look like Civics. They aren't quite as generic-looking as before, however.
The hybrid rides on the same chassis and has the same styling as the other sedan models of the Civic, which has been America's best-selling compact car for several years. The newest model has more power (in the gasoline-only models), as well as more standard features.
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/thumbs/D_IMAGE_10cb24ea727_93_88_f8_2b_July_29_2006.jpg (http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/1121/cat/500/ppuser/5)
G. Chambers Williams III/Express-News
Under the hood of the 2006 Honda Civic hybrid is a 93-horsepower gasoline engine and an electric motor, which provides supplemental power.
With styling nearly identical to that of the regular sedan, the 2006 Honda Civic hybrid model is not odd-looking like Honda's first hybrid, the Insight.
That brought a higher range of prices, as well, which reflects the amenities that come standard with the car — items that often are optional on cars in this class. Among those are standard side-curtain air bags, antilock brakes, tilt and telescopic steering column, and active front headrests.
The hybrid — with EPA ratings of 49 miles per gallon city/51 highway — starts at $22,150 (plus freight), fully equipped except for the navigation system. With the navigation system, the hybrid lists for $23,650. And it comes only with a continuously variable automatic transmission; no manual is offered.
Our test model, which came with the navigation system, had a total sticker price of $24,200, including freight.
A federal tax credit of as much as $2,100 is available on the hybrid, which helps reduce the premium a consumer pays for the hybrid model over a gasoline-only sedan.
The hybrid model comes with a 93-horsepower, 1.3-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor to help boost power for start-up and passing. Combined, the gasoline engine and electric motor provide 110 horsepower and 123 foot-pounds of torque.
For those who want just the gasoline-only versions, which are quite fuel-efficient in their own right, prices begin at a quite reasonable $14,560 (plus $550 freight) for the base DX coupe. That's an increase of $585 over a 2005 base coupe with manual gearbox and side-curtain air bags, which were a $450 option.
The DX sedan starts at just $200 more, an increase of $1,185 over an '05 DX model with the side air bags. The midlevel LX model, which Honda calls "well-equipped," begins at $16,310 for the coupe and $16,510 for the sedan. The top-of-the-line EX starts at $18,260 for either the coupe or sedan model.
On coupes and sedans, the base prices include the five-speed manual transmission; but most customers will opt for the five-speed automatic, which adds $800 to the price of any trim level. Oddly, fuel economy is actually better with the automatic than the standard transmission.
EPA ratings for the coupe and sedan with their new 1.8-liter, 140-horsepower four-cylinder engine are 30 miles per gallon in the city and 40 on the highway with the automatic, and 30 city/38 highway with the manual.
With the hybrid, consumers are finding that actual mileage is somewhat less than stated, but that's true with most EPA ratings, hybrid or not. Still, those of us who have been driving trucks and SUVs with mileage in the low- to mid-teens would certainly find even the gasoline-only Civics to be a refreshing change.
The hybrid comes with the latest generation of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist system, which was introduced earlier on the Honda Insight and the first generation of the Civic hybrid.
Compared with the '05 hybrid model, there is a 4 percent increase in fuel economy ratings for city driving, and 6 percent for the highway, on the new hybrid, Honda says. Another big change is that the new model can operate solely on its electric motor at low speed's just like the popular Toyota Prius, whereas with the previous Civic hybrid, the gasoline engine ran all the time.
The hybrid has "exclusive" interior styling that includes a special instrument panel for the hybrid system, two-tone seat upholstery, and a new blue interior option, Honda says.
Honda was the first to introduce a hybrid to U.S. consumers. The two-seat Insight went on sale in December 1999, followed by the first Civic hybrid in March 2002. The V-6 powered midsize Accord hybrid was added in December 2004.
While the hybrid gets the best fuel economy, the speediest of the new Civics is the Si, which comes with a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 197 horsepower, up from 160 hp. in the '05 model. It's paired with a six-speed manual gearbox, and prices begin at $20,290. No automatic is offered, but performance tires are a $200 option on the base car; navigation system is an extra $1,550, and for both navigation and performance tires, you'll pay a grand total of $22,240 (plus freight). The navigation system comes with voice recognition and XM satellite radio.
Even the Si gets decent highway fuel economy, up to 30 mpg, but the city mileage drops all the way to 22.
So if you can live with less power and about double the average fuel economy, I'd certainly recommend the similarly priced hybrid sedan over the Si. The reality is that few consumers who would choose the hybrid sedan would consider the Si coupe, and vice-versa. They're just two completely different customers.
I suppose I'm pretty solidly in the hybrid camp, myself. I like the idea of getting mileage somewhere in the mid-40s or better, and as far as I'm concerned, you're not giving up much to get it. This car, with the electric-motor boost, seems just as fast as the gasoline-only 1.8-liter model.
Inside, the hybrid has the same space as the regular sedan, and it's roomy enough for up to five people. The trunk is slightly smaller, though, at 10.4 cubic feet vs. 12 for the regular sedan. The battery pack for the electric motor takes up some of the trunk space.
The new sedan is 1.4 inches longer than before, at 176.8 inches, and 1.5 inches wider, at 69 inches. Wheelbase has increased 3.2 inches to 106.3. Honda says the car's rear overhang is 3.1 inches shorter and front overhang 1.8 inches longer, while overall height is 0.2 inches less. Weight, however, is up about 5 percent across the board, primarily because of the added standard equipment such as the side air bags.
The coupe is 0.6 inches shorter, at 174.8 inches, but 1.4 inches wider — to 68.9 inches. The wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer, at 104.3 inches, and the coupe's overall height has been cut 1.6 inches, to 55.1.
Among changes for 2006, are a new exterior featuring what Honda calls a "one-motion profile with an ultra-fast windshield rake, minimal front and rear overhangs and reduced gap between the tires and fenders."
The cars come with a two-tier instrument panel, improved seats and a multifunctional center console. Besides the standard side-curtain air bags, there also are front side air bags (in addition to the required front air bags).
Among standard safety/mechanical features are four-channel advanced-logic antilock brakes with electronic brake force distribution.
As with all Honda models, consumers can expect years of dependable service from a Civic, one of the reasons these cars are so popular with consumers. That benefit of owning Honda products helps overcome their blandness.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
G. Chambers Williams III, (210) 250-3236; chambers@express-news.net
2006 Honda Civic hybrid sedan
G. Chambers Williams III/Express-News
The package: Compact, front-drive, five-passenger, four-door, gasoline/electric-powered sedan.
Highlights: This is the second generation of the gasoline-electric Civic hybrid, and comes with essentially the same body and interior of the regular gasoline-only Civic sedan, which entered its eighth generation for 2006. The hybrid, like the regular sedan, seats up to five, but fuel economy is considerably better.
Negatives: Price differential over the standard Civic may be hard to recoup at the gas pumps.
Engine: 1.3-liter inline four-cylinder with supplemental electric motor.
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic.
Power/torque: Combined 110 horsepower/123 foot-pounds (93 horsepower/89 foot-pounds gasoline engine, plus electric motor assist).
Length: 176.7 inches.
Curb weight: 2,875 pounds.
Brakes, front/rear: Disc/drum, power.
Trunk volume: 10.4 cubic feet.
Major competitors: Toyota Prius hybrid, Volkswagen Jetta diesel.
EPA fuel economy: 49 miles per gallon city/51 highway.
Fuel capacity/type: 12.3 gallons/unleaded regular.
Base price: $22,150 plus $550 transportation.
Price as tested: $24,200 (including navigation system and transportation).
On the Road rating: (five stars out of five).
http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/stories/MYSA072806.1G.honda.civic.23b60e2.html
Web Posted: 07/27/2006 09:50 PM CDT
San Antonio Express-News
Honda's eighth generation of the compact Civic coupe and sedan arrived last fall for model year 2006.
Shortly thereafter, in late fall, the redesigned Civic hybrid sedan joined the lineup, followed in December by the sporty Si coupe.
Today, it's possible to get a Civic hybrid, but there's usually at least a short wait. That's because consumers are lining up to get any of the really good gas-saving vehicles they can find, and the Civic is near the top of that list.
With the redesign, the styling of all the new Civics is more interesting than before, but the changes aren't radical, and the cars still look like Civics. They aren't quite as generic-looking as before, however.
The hybrid rides on the same chassis and has the same styling as the other sedan models of the Civic, which has been America's best-selling compact car for several years. The newest model has more power (in the gasoline-only models), as well as more standard features.
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/thumbs/D_IMAGE_10cb24ea727_93_88_f8_2b_July_29_2006.jpg (http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/1121/cat/500/ppuser/5)
G. Chambers Williams III/Express-News
Under the hood of the 2006 Honda Civic hybrid is a 93-horsepower gasoline engine and an electric motor, which provides supplemental power.
With styling nearly identical to that of the regular sedan, the 2006 Honda Civic hybrid model is not odd-looking like Honda's first hybrid, the Insight.
That brought a higher range of prices, as well, which reflects the amenities that come standard with the car — items that often are optional on cars in this class. Among those are standard side-curtain air bags, antilock brakes, tilt and telescopic steering column, and active front headrests.
The hybrid — with EPA ratings of 49 miles per gallon city/51 highway — starts at $22,150 (plus freight), fully equipped except for the navigation system. With the navigation system, the hybrid lists for $23,650. And it comes only with a continuously variable automatic transmission; no manual is offered.
Our test model, which came with the navigation system, had a total sticker price of $24,200, including freight.
A federal tax credit of as much as $2,100 is available on the hybrid, which helps reduce the premium a consumer pays for the hybrid model over a gasoline-only sedan.
The hybrid model comes with a 93-horsepower, 1.3-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor to help boost power for start-up and passing. Combined, the gasoline engine and electric motor provide 110 horsepower and 123 foot-pounds of torque.
For those who want just the gasoline-only versions, which are quite fuel-efficient in their own right, prices begin at a quite reasonable $14,560 (plus $550 freight) for the base DX coupe. That's an increase of $585 over a 2005 base coupe with manual gearbox and side-curtain air bags, which were a $450 option.
The DX sedan starts at just $200 more, an increase of $1,185 over an '05 DX model with the side air bags. The midlevel LX model, which Honda calls "well-equipped," begins at $16,310 for the coupe and $16,510 for the sedan. The top-of-the-line EX starts at $18,260 for either the coupe or sedan model.
On coupes and sedans, the base prices include the five-speed manual transmission; but most customers will opt for the five-speed automatic, which adds $800 to the price of any trim level. Oddly, fuel economy is actually better with the automatic than the standard transmission.
EPA ratings for the coupe and sedan with their new 1.8-liter, 140-horsepower four-cylinder engine are 30 miles per gallon in the city and 40 on the highway with the automatic, and 30 city/38 highway with the manual.
With the hybrid, consumers are finding that actual mileage is somewhat less than stated, but that's true with most EPA ratings, hybrid or not. Still, those of us who have been driving trucks and SUVs with mileage in the low- to mid-teens would certainly find even the gasoline-only Civics to be a refreshing change.
The hybrid comes with the latest generation of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist system, which was introduced earlier on the Honda Insight and the first generation of the Civic hybrid.
Compared with the '05 hybrid model, there is a 4 percent increase in fuel economy ratings for city driving, and 6 percent for the highway, on the new hybrid, Honda says. Another big change is that the new model can operate solely on its electric motor at low speed's just like the popular Toyota Prius, whereas with the previous Civic hybrid, the gasoline engine ran all the time.
The hybrid has "exclusive" interior styling that includes a special instrument panel for the hybrid system, two-tone seat upholstery, and a new blue interior option, Honda says.
Honda was the first to introduce a hybrid to U.S. consumers. The two-seat Insight went on sale in December 1999, followed by the first Civic hybrid in March 2002. The V-6 powered midsize Accord hybrid was added in December 2004.
While the hybrid gets the best fuel economy, the speediest of the new Civics is the Si, which comes with a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 197 horsepower, up from 160 hp. in the '05 model. It's paired with a six-speed manual gearbox, and prices begin at $20,290. No automatic is offered, but performance tires are a $200 option on the base car; navigation system is an extra $1,550, and for both navigation and performance tires, you'll pay a grand total of $22,240 (plus freight). The navigation system comes with voice recognition and XM satellite radio.
Even the Si gets decent highway fuel economy, up to 30 mpg, but the city mileage drops all the way to 22.
So if you can live with less power and about double the average fuel economy, I'd certainly recommend the similarly priced hybrid sedan over the Si. The reality is that few consumers who would choose the hybrid sedan would consider the Si coupe, and vice-versa. They're just two completely different customers.
I suppose I'm pretty solidly in the hybrid camp, myself. I like the idea of getting mileage somewhere in the mid-40s or better, and as far as I'm concerned, you're not giving up much to get it. This car, with the electric-motor boost, seems just as fast as the gasoline-only 1.8-liter model.
Inside, the hybrid has the same space as the regular sedan, and it's roomy enough for up to five people. The trunk is slightly smaller, though, at 10.4 cubic feet vs. 12 for the regular sedan. The battery pack for the electric motor takes up some of the trunk space.
The new sedan is 1.4 inches longer than before, at 176.8 inches, and 1.5 inches wider, at 69 inches. Wheelbase has increased 3.2 inches to 106.3. Honda says the car's rear overhang is 3.1 inches shorter and front overhang 1.8 inches longer, while overall height is 0.2 inches less. Weight, however, is up about 5 percent across the board, primarily because of the added standard equipment such as the side air bags.
The coupe is 0.6 inches shorter, at 174.8 inches, but 1.4 inches wider — to 68.9 inches. The wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer, at 104.3 inches, and the coupe's overall height has been cut 1.6 inches, to 55.1.
Among changes for 2006, are a new exterior featuring what Honda calls a "one-motion profile with an ultra-fast windshield rake, minimal front and rear overhangs and reduced gap between the tires and fenders."
The cars come with a two-tier instrument panel, improved seats and a multifunctional center console. Besides the standard side-curtain air bags, there also are front side air bags (in addition to the required front air bags).
Among standard safety/mechanical features are four-channel advanced-logic antilock brakes with electronic brake force distribution.
As with all Honda models, consumers can expect years of dependable service from a Civic, one of the reasons these cars are so popular with consumers. That benefit of owning Honda products helps overcome their blandness.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
G. Chambers Williams III, (210) 250-3236; chambers@express-news.net
2006 Honda Civic hybrid sedan
G. Chambers Williams III/Express-News
The package: Compact, front-drive, five-passenger, four-door, gasoline/electric-powered sedan.
Highlights: This is the second generation of the gasoline-electric Civic hybrid, and comes with essentially the same body and interior of the regular gasoline-only Civic sedan, which entered its eighth generation for 2006. The hybrid, like the regular sedan, seats up to five, but fuel economy is considerably better.
Negatives: Price differential over the standard Civic may be hard to recoup at the gas pumps.
Engine: 1.3-liter inline four-cylinder with supplemental electric motor.
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic.
Power/torque: Combined 110 horsepower/123 foot-pounds (93 horsepower/89 foot-pounds gasoline engine, plus electric motor assist).
Length: 176.7 inches.
Curb weight: 2,875 pounds.
Brakes, front/rear: Disc/drum, power.
Trunk volume: 10.4 cubic feet.
Major competitors: Toyota Prius hybrid, Volkswagen Jetta diesel.
EPA fuel economy: 49 miles per gallon city/51 highway.
Fuel capacity/type: 12.3 gallons/unleaded regular.
Base price: $22,150 plus $550 transportation.
Price as tested: $24,200 (including navigation system and transportation).
On the Road rating: (five stars out of five).
http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/stories/MYSA072806.1G.honda.civic.23b60e2.html