2006 Honda Civic Hybrid Reviews
Auto enthusiasts oughta love hybrids. The truth is, our commute is growing in actual miles and time spent wallowing behind a long line of cars -- thus the value of hybrids like the Civic, and other efficient cars.
The Honda Civic Hybrid is the car that has set the quality and performance standard for the affordable, compact hybrid car market. The sedan adds to the LX's features automatic climate control, a roof-mounted radio antenna, a rear decklid spoiler, and hybrid-pertinent digital data displays. For 2006, the Honda Civic Hybrid has been redesigned.
The good: The 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid includes the best voice-recognition system we've seen in a car.
The bad: Acceleration is decidedly underwhelming in the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid.
The bottom line: The cabin of the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid catapults the driver into a cool future where voice commands operate navigation and audio, but the rackety engine and the less-than-smooth power train serve as a reminder that hybrid development is still in its early stages.
The 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid's cabin boasts an impressive array of technology for Honda's lowest-end car--a position soon to be occupied by the Honda Fit, which will push the Civic up a notch. Although the hybrid power train is an improvement upon the previous model year's, we still weren't overly impressed by Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system. The 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid is equipped with standard antilock brakes, as well as electronic brake-force distribution, to help avoid accidents. Air-bag coverage is complete, with dual-stage front, driver and front-passenger side, and curtain bags. The base price for the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid is $21,850. Our test car, which included the navigation and voice-recognition system, came in at $23,350. Possible upgrades include an eight-disc CD changer ($569), a bass speaker system ($364), and iPod integration ($214).
The dashboard of the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid, and the entire 2006 Honda Civic family, has a very futuristic look.
Buttons on the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid's steering-wheel spokes handle cruise control, the audio system, and voice commands. The voice-command system is very usable, though a bit stilted. Pushing the voice-command button mutes the stereo and sets the system to accept commands for controlling audio, climate control, or navigation. The base stereo system, with which our test car came equipped, is good but not excellent. The 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid lacks Bluetooth cell phone integration, even as an option, which is disappointing, as it would have really rounded out the excellent tech offerings in this car.
Honda's IMA hybrid system works by having an electric motor integrated with the engine, as well as powered by a battery pack and regenerative braking. In the case of the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid, the engine is a small 1.3-liter four-cylinder with a single overhead cam and Honda's i-VTEC variable valve timing. The electric motor gives it a boost during acceleration and, at low speeds, can power the car entirely. During our driving, we never noticed the car working under electric power only, although Honda's specifications insist it will happen.
We found the bar gauges indicating battery charging and motor assist to be mesmerizing. The electric motor gives the car only adequate acceleration. That said, the Civic travels well at freeway speeds of 70mph to 80mph.
The shifter's podlike appearance fits with the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid's futuristic look.
The 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid's five-star front-impact and four-star side-impact ratings speak for themselves.
The "2006 Honda Civic Hybrid's" front disc brakes and rear drums include a regenerative system and are helped by antilock, electronic brake-force distribution (which adds braking power to the wheels that need it most), and brake assist--a technology that pumps up the hydraulics ahead of time so that the driver gets instant braking power.
