The 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid has now arrived and if you're shopping for a hybrid that's compact, fuel efficient, and relatively affordable this is one car you'll want to consider. There are many popular choices when it comes to hybrids such as the Toyota Prius, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Honda Insight and others but which is right for you? Our goal here at HondaCivicHybrid.org, is to spotlight the newly redesigned Civic Hybrid as fairly and objectively as possible to help you make that decision.

When it comes to hybrids, there is no denying the Prius' dominance. It has after all become almost synomymous with hybrids and remains the world best selling hybrid car. But despite its many strengths, its unique exterior styling may not be everyone's cup of tea. The Honda Insight, while reasonably priced, has been criticized for not being roomy enough and lacking in features. If, however, you are looking for a more conventional sedan which is spacious, fun to drive, and has terrific fuel economy, the Honda Civic Hybrid may be a great option to consider.

As with the 2011 model, the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid continues to receive rave reviews thanks to its excellent fuel economy, futuristic and stylish exterior, quality interior, and extensive list of standard and optional features. New for 2012 is a larger 1.5L 4 cylinder engine, a lithium-ion battery pack, and improved EPA estimated fuel economy ratings of 44 mpg city/44 mpg highway/44 mpg combined (roughly a seven percent improvement over the 2011 model's 40 mpg city/43 mpg highway/42 mpg combined). While still lagging behind the Prius, these new fuel economy numbers makes the Civic Hybrid the second most fuel efficient vehicle in America ahead of the Honda Insight and Lexus CT200h. Moreover, the larger engine displacement means the engine can run at lower RPMs allowing for more frequent use of the electric moter and, ultimately, a more quieter ride.

The new Lithium-ion which replaces the Nickel Metal Hydride units used in previous models now delivers 27 hp (up from 20 hp) but is only a third of the size of its predecessor thereby allowing you to have more cargo room (12.5 cu-ft to be more precise). Aside from these improvements, Honda has tweaked everything possible in its hybrid system's design to improve efficiency. This includes everything from increasing motor output to the use of additional coils and widely spaced magnets as well as plastic spacers to better manage temperature.


In terms of pricing, US News ranked the 2011 edition of the Honda Civic Hybrid 9th out of 32 Affordable Small Cars. For 2012, this ranking has fallen to 25th out of 33 for the same category but, at a base MSRP price starting at $24,050, it is still a good buy. For those of you also considering the Insight, note that the 2011 Honda Insight started at around $20,000 compared to the cheapest Civic Hybrid's starting price of $23,950. However, the Civic Hybrid is considered a more "premium" car. Considering that the Insight is roughly five inches shorter, two inches narrower, and has a six-inch shorter wheelbase, it is no surprise that it offers less passenger room than the Civic Hybrid. The Insight's fuel economy rating of 42mpg on the highway is also below the Civic Hybrid's 44mpg. In addition, features like four-wheel disc brakes and the option of a leather interior are not available for the Insight.

The 2012 Civic Hybrid retains many of the features it had in prior models. These include power locks and steering, air conditioning, electronic stability control, dual, side, and side curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes, remote keyless entry, tilt/telescope steering wheel, 160-watt audio system, cruise control, and automated climate control which all come standard. Another cool feature is the engine auto-stop, which actually turns off the engine when the car is in traffic. The Civic Hybrid's Satellite Linked Navigation system with Bluetooth connectivity has also been reviewed positively. In terms of safety, the 2012 edition has not yet been crash tested by the US federal government but crash tests for the 2011 model gave the Civic Hybrid a 5 star rating for front impacts and a 4 star rating for rear and side impacts..

With all these great features, you must be wondering what the downsides are. One major area of criticism is performance. Reviewers have point out that the Civic Hybrid is not fast or powerful. For the 2011 model, Cars.com describes the Civic Hybrid's acceleration to be adequate but "not especially quick". That assessment continues to be accurate. Those who have test driven the 2012 model have noted that the brakes had a more "natural feel" but felt that the start stop technology was still a bit unrefined. Riding can still get a bit jittery on uneven surfaces. In terms of fuel economy, some test drivers of the new Civic Hybrid have reported achieving well over the estimated 44 mpg on the highway but, regrettably, well below 44 mpg in city driving. Another drawback is the lack of folding rear seats to make room for the battery back. The trunk, while larger than the 2011 model thanks to the new lithium-ion battery pack, is still relatively small. When compared to the Prius, the Civic Hybrid has a smaller but more powerful gasoline engine but the Prius has a more powerful electric motor. Automobile magazine also described the interior as supremely functional but not particularly stylish noting the use of "leather seats that look like pillows" and "cheap plastics that look recycled".

Despite some limitations, the Civic Hybrid's all round qualities makes it a top pick in the compact hybrid car market and it has, for the most part, received good reviews. It is especially appealing for shoppers who want to drive a hybrid but also value the Honda Civic for its looks and reliability. It is a great alternative for those who don't particularly care for the unique exterior styling of the Prius but are willing to settle for slightly lower fuel economy and higher starting price. As gas prices continue to rise and hybrids become more popular, the Civic Hybrid will undoubtedly emerge as a major player and strong competitor to the Prius. We hope you've enjoyed our review of the new Civic Hybrid and happy hunting!