There are a few bugaboos that also come with the Civic Hybrid package; thankfully most are easily forgivable. When undertaking passing or heavy acceleration, a high-pitched electric whine - much like that of an electric remote controlled car - can be heard. Aside from drawing a few strange looks, cranking up the stereo is a quick and efficient cure to this. Slightly
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| Aside from Drive, the CVT has two other gears, 'S' and 'L' which limitthe ratio hunting to lower levels for improved responsiveness. (Photo:Justin Couture, American Auto Press) |
more intrusive is the tire noise from those skinny tires, which transmit more noise than usual over paint, tar strips or uneven pavement. The Hybrid features additional underbody insulation over the regular sedans, however, but not enough to squelch the tires.
If anything, the only thing that might throw drivers off is the odd character of the CVT transmission. It works wonders around town; there's no lurching to be felt off the line, and it's as smooth as silk without gear changes. To mimic a true automatic, it even creeps up at stoplights to prevent it from rolling back on hills. Dip your foot into the throttle a little more and the CVT will begin to show its true colors. Under full throttle, the needle shoots wildly up to 5,500 rpm, where it stays planted. As the gearbox scrambles to find the perfect ratio, the car's speed slowly catches up. The whole effect can be kind of alarming at first, and mildly embarrassing: romping on the gas pedal sounds like you've got a massively slipping clutch. Aside from Drive, the CVT has two other gears, 'S' and 'L' which limit the ratio hunting to lower levels for improved responsiveness. The CVT might not be to everyone's tastes, but nevertheless Canadian Civic Hybrid buyers will have to live with it as the sole transmission option. A five-speed manual gearbox, while standard in the States, is not available here.
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| At some $2,500 more than the Insight, the Civic is a better value with much greater practicality and capability. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press) |
The biggest challenge that Honda will face with the Civic Hybrid isn't making consumers aware of the advantages of hybrid drivetrain technologies, but its price. At only $560 more than the Insight, the Civic is a better value with much greater practicality and capability. On the other hand, its option-free $19,900 MSRP also makes it one of the most expensive Civics on the market, rubbing uncomfortably close to the much larger Accord.
Incidentally, it is not the most expensive Civic. The Civic GX CNG actually costs more. A CVT gearbox, as tested, costs $1,000 extra, and is the only option. While it may take twenty or thirty years to recoup the thousands extra needed over an equivalently equipped conventionally powered Civic, the extra money gives you a sense of satisfaction that can't be bought. What you get is the latest in lab-grade scientific research technology, allowing this reasonably sized four-door sedan with the ability to carry five plus luggage in comfort, to have an ecological footprint of a poorly maintained '70s era Husqvarna two-stroke chain saw. Now, if that doesn't make you feel good, I don't know what will.
