At present in its third generation, the Honda Civic Hybrid is one of the stalwarts of the compact hybrid form, having been effectually in one form or some other since its introduction to the U.S. in 2002.

Here we're looking at the pop 2006-2011 model, as one of our 5 Best Used Dark-green Cars To Buy.

While not as overtly dark-green, nor as economical as the 2004-2009 Toyota Prius we looked at yesterday, the Civic Hybrid is well worth considering if y'all're in the market for a used light-green automobile.

History

The first generation of Civic Hybrid was beginning launched in 2001 in the Japanese market, only only reached U.Southward. shores in Bound 2002, as a 2003 model. The second generation Hybrid was launched in 2005, equally a 2006 model-twelvemonth machine.

Based on the regular Borough sedan, the Hybrid uses Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system, which slots a compact electric motor between the engine and transmission. The system debuted in the original Insight, and is also fitted to cars similar the Honda CR-Z and current generation Insight.

The 2006-2011 Borough Hybrid uses a one.three-liter engine with the IMA system, paired with a continuously-variable transmission. Combined, they produce 110 horsepower, and 123 pounds-anxiety of torque.

Driving feel, economic system

2006 Honda Civic Hybrid

2006 Honda Civic Hybrid

While the original Civic Hybrid achieved 39 mpg metropolis and 43 mpg highway from its 1.three-liter engine and IMA system, the 2006-2011 Honda Borough Hybrid improved that to 40 mpg metropolis, and 43 mpg highway, for a combined rating of 41 mpg.

It may not lucifer the 48 city and 45 highway of the 2004-2009 Prius so, but in terms of combined emissions the Civic actually ranks improve than the Prius--and so information technology's nevertheless a light-green choice.

Stepping behind the wheel, you won't get the daze you might in the Toyota Prius, as the Civic is adequately conventional within. Withal, the ii-tier dashboard looks high-tech and the driving position is comfortable.

Read our review of the 2011 Honda Civic Hybrid

Some might consider the Civic Hybrid more of a driver's car than its Prius rival, simply this is still a car more than suited to taking it like shooting fish in a barrel than hitting the twists. Still, it's easy to drive, responsive, and the steering has a fleck more than road feel than the Prius's fingertip-calorie-free system.

It's just a pity that Honda'southward hybrid system isn't as smooth as Toyota's. You'll notice the engine turning on and off more, there'due south more of a step when the electric motor kicks in to assist the gasoline engine, and the transition between regenerative braking and using the friction brakes is more pronounced. While it all works well plenty, information technology lacks the smoothen of Toyota's system.

2006 Honda Civic Hybrid

2006 Honda Civic Hybrid

Reliability, care

Honda is a company known for its reliable cars, and it'due south non unknown for drivers to do admittedly vast mileages in their Civic Hybrids--we've heard of first-generation models clocking upward over 700,000 miles with very few issues.

Still, every bit with nigh modern cars, there are a few things to look out for.

The Civic Hybrid has been subject to a few recalls over the last few years. In 2011, Honda recalled 36,700 of its 2006 and 2007 Borough Hybrids to replace the DC-DC converter, which adjusts voltage to dissimilar parts of the hybrid system.

The Hybrid was also subject to a more than general think for all 2009 Civics in 2008, to re-fit a fuel hose connector bracket. Check with your Honda dealer to make sure both of these recalls take been attended to.

Honda besides extended its warranty on 80,000 2006-2011 Civic Hybrids to embrace potential cracks in the gas tank, that may lead to fuel usage. The warranty lasts x years, which will encompass all affected models, or 120,000 miles, which may at present exclude some older used examples.

You lot'll besides want to make sure the car you're looking at has had its battery software upgrade, relevant to 2006-2008 models, appear in 2010. This wasn't a safety issue, just may reduce the motorcar's battery life.

Cost

2006 Honda Civic Hybrid

2006 Honda Civic Hybrid

Kelley Bluish Book suggests prices from just nether $13,000 for a 2006 Borough Hybrid, upward to $22,600 for a low-mileage 2011 example. Those prices assume a car in excellent condition from a dealer, and so it's likely a auto bought privately would be cheaper.

The EPA's fueleconomy.gov website predicts that at current gas prices (an average of $3.87 per gallon), you'd spend $1,400 in gasoline per yr, driving 15,000 miles with a 45/55 highway/city split.

Gas mileage is a tricky subject with the Civic Hybrid. While owners on the fueleconomy site are reporting an impressive average of 49 miles per gallon--8 mpg above the EPA combined--the Borough Hybrid was recently the subject of a class activeness lawsuit, for non hitting the quoted EPA figures.

Read into that what you volition, but suffice to say the old adage "your mileage may vary" even so applies to hybrids.

Our verdict

Alongside the higher-profile Prius and even confronting its cheaper Insight sibling, the 2006-2011 Honda Civic Hybrid is a tough sell, but nosotros do think the car has one major card upward its sleeve--it doesn't really look like a hybrid.

For some, the hybrid economy appeals more than the hybrid epitome, and for customers non wishing to make too much of a statement, the subdued and low-cardinal Civic Hybrid may be simply what they're after.

For outright economy--and interior space--y'all're still better off going for the Prius, merely provided you buy a auto with all the recalls taken care of, the Civic should provide miles of easy, gas-saving motoring.

You lot can also read a full review of the Honda Civic Hybrid on our sister site, TheCarConnection.

+++++++++++

Follow GreenCarReports on Facebook and Twitter.