Virtue With Verve
Being an automotive writer is a biblical experience. There are weekly reversals of fortune, shifts from rags to riches and back again. This week marked a move to rags, the 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid gas-electric sedan. In comparison with the electric motor-power system in the Toyota Prius, the motor in the Civic Hybrid is on long-term leave, momentarily kicking in only during acceleration and when it is needed to act as a battery charger during deceleration and braking.
CanadianDriver: Test Drive - 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid
The newest hybrid on the market is the 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid. Unlike the Insight and Prius which were designed exclusively as hybrids, the Civic Hybrid uses the familiar Civic sedan bodystyle, and offers a similar independent suspension and roomy five passenger interior. In a hypothetical case where the owner of a Civic Hybrid and a regular Civic LX each travel 20,000 km per year and pay an average of 70 cents per litre, the Hybrid owner will pay $672 in gasoline per year while the regular Civic owner will pay $952 a year, for a saving of $280 per year. Then there's the issue of resale value. What's 'high-tech' today is usually 'low-tech' in five years. The market for a used Civic Hybrid with an old-generation hybrid powertrain and an expensive battery that may need replacing soon is not likely to be very good.
2003 Honda Civic Hybrid : Page 2
The IMA in the Civic Hybrid is an updated version of the one used for Hondais first attempt at a hybrid vehicle, the Insight. The heart of the IMA is an electric motor that sits in the engine compartment and assists the gasoline engine during acceleration.
Certain Honda Civic Hybrid Cars Need A Software Update - This Is ...
It appears that certain 2003-2005 Honda Civic owners are receiving a letter from Honda advising them of a "Product Update". This is not a recall, but it is something that Honda Civic Hybrid owners who receive the letter should pay attention to.
2003 Honda Civic Hybrid - The Car Connection
The Civic Hybrid is no different, and that's an amazing statement considering its powertrain is essentially a big battery pack mated to a teeny four-cylinder engine. It's bred from the same stock as the Nadergasmic Insight - only it's better in every way except for gas mileage, where it pays a 20-mpg penalty for niceties like extra seats for three more folks and a real trunk. Outside you can tell a Civic Hybrid by the flush grille, clear taillamps, a small spoiler and the high-mounted antenna, and inside you'll find special metallic-looking trim around the sound system and climate control, and a battery-capacity gauge on the dash.
Inside Line: Follow-Up Test: 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid - Chrg or Asst?
As its powertrain is similar to the Insight's, the Civic Hybrid has many of the same features, including the "Idle Stop" feature. As long as the air conditioning isn't on (or is on, but with the "economy" climate control button engaged), this feature shuts off the engine when the car comes to a stop, reducing fuel consumption. When the brake pedal is released (on CVT models), the engine immediately restarts and the car creeps forward. Outside, the Hybrid is identifiable only by subtle cues. The lightweight aluminum wheels have distinctive styling and the body has extra aerodynamic treatments, including a small rear spoiler, underbody panels and a smoother front bumper and grille. Driven on the highway, the Civic Hybrid produces little wind noise, but the low rolling-resistance Dunlop SP20 tires are more apt to be heard, especially when driving over paint or tar strips.
Honda Civic Reviews and Ratings - 2003 Honda Civic New Car Test Drive
The 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid does not make a lot of sense, based purely on economics. It has less power than the regular Civic, a slightly smaller trunk and it costs about $2,500 more. Apart from a slightly more luxurious interior it's only advantage is an EPA City fuel-economy rating of 48 mpg compared to about 35 to 40 mpg for an equivalent Civic EX sedan with a CVT.
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