The dash has been designed with ergonomics and driver safety in mind. The air conditioning, heating and ventilation (HVAC) controls are laid out vertically, adjacent to the steering wheel. Adjustments can be made without stretching and more importantly, only needing a brief moment with eyes off the road. And lastly, stereo controls are up top too, not buried in a difficult to reach console.
 |
| The dash of the Hybrid has been design with ergonomics and saftey in mind, everything is within reach and easy to find. (Photo: Honda) |
My only semi-major complaint can be found under the hood, where the oil dipstick is awkwardly located. I managed to burn a finger reaching for it, so be cautious, or at least check the oil on a cool engine - less accurate I know. At the other end of the vehicle the trunk is deeper than long, and adequate enough for a small family to fit most of their needs for a quick trip away if packed well.
 |
| The Hybrid has a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which allows the engine to operate at its optimal RPM range all the time. (Photo: Honda) |
Something else worth noting is the Hybrid's transmission. It's a CVT, which stands for 'continuously variable transmission', referring to a belt-and-pulley system that originated on the Daf, a small Dutch car, over forty years ago. Essentially CVTs vary the transmission ratio continuously, which Martha Stewart would say is a good thing, as it allows the engine to operate at its optimal RPM range all the time, whatever the vehicle's speed, while the belts and pulleys change angles according to the throttle input.
To be clear there are no gears, and unlike conventional automatics there's none of the associated slippage. Hybrids are well suited to this type of 'gearbox' as the computer can balance the transmission, gas engine, and electric motor trio allowing enhanced performance while maintaining increased energy-efficiency. With the CVT, maximum torque is 105 lb-ft at 3000 RPM.