Information About Honda's 2006 Civic Hybrid

The TV ad for this is great! See it at: http://www.canneslions.com/winners/film/win.cfm?award=1

Slow continuous progress with occasional design leaps: that's the formulae for success Honda has used since the days when their first car had a motorcycle engine. Very nice to see.

Paula,

Actually that's an ad for Honda's diesel engine. But yeah, it's pretty original.

Oh, I saw this one fast and as I read Honda thought it could be that.. Thanks!

I'd like to add that the current Honda Civic Hybrid is a delight to drive, and it doesn't seem too hard to get great (EPA estimated or a little better) mileage (so, about 50mpg) on the highway with it.

Why not use bladeless Tesla turbines in hybrid electric cars?

I love being able to cruise on electric motor alone. I would also like to be able to top off
the battery at home. I would like to see the hybrid as a coupe and also retain the fold down
rear seat (partial).

I get 50-60 mpg in my 03 CIVIC Hybrid. I wish the new one was pligin compatable like the Prius.
The backseat really should fold down like the normal CIVIC. I also want a button to auto stop the engine after I have to slip ahead 5 feet at a light and it starts idling again. I'll test drive the 06 and see how it has progressed.
Jim

to Jim Stack: Prius is not plug-in compatible by default, one can add this feature for $12000, and loose the factory warrantee as well. And Prius looks awful and drives even worse (INHO).

Peter, Sorry the Honda can not be made plugin like the Prius. With Honda they only assist with the battery electric, it can't move without the gas engine like a Prius can.
The option for a Prius is only because it can run on electric alone, so can the other Toyotas and FORD Escape.
SOmeday Honda may make a Hybrid that can go on electric alone ,but for now assist is great but not quite and adaptable as full electric as Toyota did.
Jim jstack6@juno.com

Hello folks,
I'm looking for a replacement car for my 1996 Honda Accord. Now that I am retired I don't drive as much as I once did, but I still need a reliable car as I live where there is no public transportation. I'm interested in what I've read about the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid and hope to test drive one first of the year. One thing that concerns me is that I heard that the Toyota Prius cannot be left un-driven for 10 days or it has to be towed. Is this true about the Honda Civic Hybrid also? I would appreciate any information you may have about this, and also your opinion on how comfortable a ride you get with the Civic Hybrid.

Thanks so much for your help.

"One thing that concerns me is that I heard that the Toyota Prius cannot be left un-driven for 10 days or it has to be towed. Is this true about the Honda Civic Hybrid also? I would appreciate any information you may have about this, and also your opinion on how comfortable a ride you get with the Civic Hybrid."

I can assure you that what you have heard about the Prius is absolutely, completely false. The Prius drives just like a normal car (no need to plug it in) and won't need to be towed after a certain number of days anymore than any other regular car.

As for the ride comfort of the Civic, it depends if you get the 2005 or 2006 model. The Civic and Civic Hybrids are totally redesigned for 2006, so the ride quality is yet unknown (thought it should be more luxurious than the previous civic generation).

The Prius is a larger car than the civic, though, and should have better ride quality and sound insulation (it also gets better mileage).

Hope that helped,

MGR

I've been planning to buy the 2006 Civic Hybrid when it goes on sale, but looking at the literature, I see only discussion about the CVT transmission. In my mind, the availability of manual transmission in the current model is the biggest advantage the Civic Hybrid has over the Prius, and if that option is not available, I will definitely be reconsidering my plan to purchase a new Civic. I realize the CVT is more efficient, but if the car is not enjoyable to drive (and it won't be for me without a manual gearbox), it's not worth driving. Does anybody have more information on the availability of the transmission options on the Civic Hybrid?

I second the comment about manual transmissions! Does anyone have more info about the '06 civic hybrids, and whether a manual will be offered? Not much quality info at my local honda dealer...any insight (no pun intended) would be appreciated!

Stan,

I will soon post an update on the 2006 Honda civic hybrid on Treehugger. It will probably be published tomorrow (Sept 6) or soon afterwards..

the efficiency of the Tesla turbine goes down with increased load.

I'm continually surprised by all the folks who wanted a Prius but "settled" for a Civic Hybrid. i've driven the Prius, and as much as I wanted to love it, I just didn't like it. The interior is as plain Jane as a car could be, except for the glare-obscured and confusing touch-screen controls for practically everything. The instruments were hard to read as well. I'm sure I would get used to it, but it felt like a tin can running on a rubber band. I haven't gotten to drive the Civic Hybrid yet, but have thoroughly crawled all over in the '06 Civic sedan with the same interior features and love it! Much more intuitive controls and much easier to read intrumentation. And much more comfortable to boot. Did I mention it looks better, too? And in the real world the mileage difference is pretty meager. Can't wait until they are available, because if driving one is satisfactory I'll be putting in an order... Or will it be that Jetta diesel?
Tim

Timothy,

I know that between a 06 Civic hybrid and a Jetta diesel, I'd take the Civic hybrid. Much better emissions, similar fuel economy (I guess, I haven't seen the numbers on the Jetta lately), smoother engine, probably better resale value.

The wildcard would be if you were to run the jetta on biodiesel. That could make it a strong contender.

Thanks for the info on the 2006 Honda Civic Hyrbrid. Has anyone heard an actual date that they'll be available at the dealer. I've heard anywhere from 10/5/05 to a month and a half away.

Got an email from a dealer today-

The 2006 hybrids will be here in approx. (50mpg) 1 months at the latest. No exact date given yet.

For now, we wait.

Hello all,

As a Honda salesman, I would like to address a couple of quick issues.

One, the Civic Hybrid cannot have a fold down rear seat as the battery is housed vertically behind the rear seat. Sorry, the only way to get the rear seat fold down option is to buy a traditional Civic.

Secondly, the Prius does not get the gas mileage that it claims! The new 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid, release date of 10/15/05, will be rated at 50 mpg for both city and highway! The Prius actual usage averages at 45 mpg. That makes the new Civic much higher.

"Secondly, the Prius does not get the gas mileage that it claims! The new 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid, release date of 10/15/05, will be rated at 50 mpg for both city and highway! The Prius actual usage averages at 45 mpg. That makes the new Civic much higher."

Who says the new civic will get its EPA rating?

In the real world, how you drive will have a big impact. Some people get EPA, some even get over (even in the Prius). Most get lower..

The 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid comes with a CVT transmission only -- no manual. This info is from the new Honda Civic brochure.

Does anyone know the actual relase date? Is it 10/15/05 as previously stated. I would really like to test drive one and if I like it.. Take it home!!!

What will the MSRP be for the 2006 Civic Hybrid? anyone?

Yuka (and others)--

I, too, have been trying to find out the MSRP for the 2006 Civic Hybrid. Earlier tonight I found a quote on Edmonds site (http://www.edmunds.com/new/2005/honda/civic/100474723/prices.html) of...(drum roll)...$20,900 MRSP and $19,095 Invoice (good luck getting THAT from a dealer on this car anytime soon!). An email that I received from a Honda dealer several weeks ago (when even they didn't know for sure what the price would be) announced a figure of "approx. $22,000." Edmonds has been around forever and so one would expect them to have their info straight. That, and the fact that their stated price comes within days/weeks of the expected delivery date would lead me to trust their figure. But watch out for dealers who may attempt price-gouging as these gas prices and the makers' new TV ad campaigns undoubtedly steer a lot more folks into the hybrid market...and toward this now-sexier of the two highest MPG-rated cars on the market!

Update on Pricing--Spoke with the dealer that I've ordered a 2006 Civic Hybrid from and he was finally able to give me a firm "everything" price (incl. a mandatory wheel lock "option," $550 freight, tags & title) of $22,475. If Edmonds $20,900 MSRP is right, then this dealer’s figure sounds a little padded. I plan to keep checking around until I get corroboration for one of these figures, but I think it's safe to say that a base 2006 (with wheel locks) shouldn't be MORE than around $22,475 incl. destination, tags & title charges (except for relatively minor regional differences for these latter required charges).

Wendell,
You're Edmunds price above is for a 2005, not 2006. I would expect ~$500 increase for the '06, which would get you at $21,400 + $550 shipping, tags, title - so their 22,475 doesn't sound out of line.

Anyway, did your dealer tell you when '06 would be available? "Sale" date was supposed to be 10/5, but no dealer I've spoken to knows when they will receive it - 2006 Hybrid not even listed on Honda.com yet...

Maybe this is our answer: Oct 19 and $21,850 - just found this on another website (google search for '06 honda civic hybrid - release dates?)...

TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- American Honda Motor Co., Inc.,
today announced the pricing of the completely redesigned 2006 Honda Civic
Hybrid, the most economical and environmentally responsible gasoline-powered
Civic ever. The 2006 Civic Hybrid, which achieves an EPA estimated
city/highway fuel economy of 50/50 miles per gallon*, goes on sale October 19
with a price of $21,850, or $23,350 when equipped with Honda's optional
satellite linked navigation system.
Characterized by advanced new styling, Honda's all-new Civic Hybrid also
offers the latest in safety technology, as well an array of standard features,
such as multiple audio entertainment choices, that increase content and value
well beyond the 3.8 percent sales-weighted price increase over the 2005 model.
"The all-new 2006 model delivers the ultimate in efficient technology and
heightened safety, with the highest fuel economy of any Civic at a time when
fuel economy matters more than ever," said Dick Colliver, executive vice
president, automobile sales. "It is the perfect example of how to balance the
needs of our customers and the environment, while offering an unbeatable
value."
The latest generation of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) technology
allows the Civic to achieve an EPA estimated city/highway fuel economy of
50/50 miles per gallon* while achieving Advanced-Technology Partial Zero
Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) standards in all 50 states. Equipped with a
continuously variable transmission (CVT) as standard equipment for 2006, Civic
Hybrid fuel economy increases by 6 percent in the city and 4 percent on the
highway as compared to the 2005 Civic Hybrid with CVT and AT-PZEV
certification. The Civic Hybrid can now deactivate all four of its cylinders
and operate using only the electric motor in certain steady-state cruising
situations. Compared to the 2006 Civic Sedan with an automatic transmission,
the Civic Hybrid provides a city fuel economy increase of approximately
65 percent and a highway fuel economy increase of 25 percent.

Standard features on all 2006 Civic Hybrids include:

-- Advanced Compatibility Engineering(TM) (ACE(TM)) Body Structure
-- 1.3-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine with 20-horsepower electric motor
(combined 110-horsepower @ 6000 rpm and 123 lb-ft. torque @1000-2500
rpm)
-- New lighter, more powerful and efficient Integrated Motor Assist
(IMA) system with greatly enhanced energy regeneration capability and
electric-only operation
-- Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) as standard equipment
-- 50/50 mpg city/highway*
-- AT-PZEV emission technology in all 50 states
-- Exclusive interior styling includes IMA instrument panel meters,
two-tone seating surfaces and new blue interior option

Honda first introduced U.S. consumers to hybrid technology with the
Insight in December 1999. It launched its second hybrid vehicle, the Civic
Hybrid, in March 2002, followed by the first-ever V6-powered hybrid, the
Accord Hybrid, in December 2004. Destination and handling charges for all
2006 Honda vehicles are $550.

*(Preliminary EPA mileage estimates determined by Honda. Final EPA
mileage estimates were not available at the time of printing. Use for
comparison purposes only. Your mileage may vary.)

Consumer information is available at http://www.hondacars.com.

Thanks for the latest info, KB! I was told that the car we ordered was built on 9/30, and that we were just waiting for it to be shipped. Based on the 10/19 date, it would seem that shipping is taking 3-4 weeks.

My Honda dealer quoted me an MSRP value of $22,400 today, saying that they would only sell at the MSRP price on the sticker.

For those anxious to get one right away, be aware that if you wait and get it in January, your $3000 tax deduction for buying it becomes a $3000 tax credit, making it far better to be patient and wait till January 2006.

I live in Long Beach, CA and have checked with about 6 different dealers in the LA County/OC County area. It looks as though the manufacturer is just starting production and they will be arriving sometime mid-November for the Los Angeles area. That being said, I think it would be fooling not to wait until January 1. Has anyone else in the LA area been able to purchase one on the lot?

I have deposits down at 3 dealers in the South Bay Area and all sat to expect their first small shipment (approx 3 vehicles) first week of Nov, followed by another shipment about the same number of vehicles the week after that.

I drove two '06 Hybrid Civics last weekend in Portland. We then drove the Prius as well. With similar intents, the two cars are very different. Each has advantages.

I liked driving the Civic better. The tilt/telescope feature in the Civic allows better postitioning than the tilt only Prius. If I had to sit in the back though, and I was short, the Prius has a huge advantage in leg room. As tall as the Prius is, there is a surprising lack of rear headroom. In a rear colision, my head would hit the roof before it hit the rear headrest.

I liked the interior materials better in the Prius. It is a beautifully finished interior- a very clean, elegant design. Almost Zen like calm. The Civic's interior is quite nice, a little busy, but appealing none the less. I really liked the blue seats in the Magnetic Pearl cars we saw. I want to see them in person, but I'll likely choose between Silver with blue seats or White with Ivory.

While I don't care for the wheels on the Civic Hybrid, they are soooo different as to lend the Hybrid it's own identity- unlike the '05. Side by side, the EX and the Hybrid look like diffent cars- just because of the wheels.

We'll likely order one for January delivery. All the local dealers are at MSRP. With something of this level of mechanical complexity, I'll be buying the 8yr/120k/ $0 deductible Honda Care extended warranty. Since I have to pay the same amount for the car no matter where I buy, I'm shopping the purchase of the warranty. There have been huge differences in price- from $1225 to $2500 for the same policy. What have you seen for pricing on the Honda Care?

i am considering an '06 civic hybrid,does anyone like dings??? where is the side molding? i have a 1990 acord with 122k miles,with one little ding since new thanks to the wide moldings,how about some thin spears running down both sides?
it doesn't have ding free plastic sides like the saturn does it?
i will test drive one as soon as it is available,
the think the prius is UGLY,the front is nice, the side view is not!

To add to the tesla turbine discussion, turning a small charger to keep the batteries going wouldn't decrease efficiency much, please elaborate.

Any suggestions on where to shop for an extended HondaCare Warrenty? I had the following on-line sites recommended, but heard there are several.

http://www.hondawarrantyinfo.com/
http://www.jayhondacare.com/Civic_Hybrid.htm

We saw our reserved $21,850 Honda Civic Hybrid at the McCook dealership today for the first time. Larger than expected - both on exterior and interior.
We too are looking for a vehicle warrentee plan. Any experienced based suggestions?

I want a hybrid element, any possibility of that happening in the next year or so?

After a disappointing test drive of the Prius, my husband and I are considering the 2006 Civic Hybrid. But the specs on the 2006 Civic EX are so good (high mileage, low emissions) that we are now uncertain of the real advantages of getting the hybrid instead of the EX. Please advise! (Can you tell I _want_ to be talked into a hybrid? :-))

I bought a 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid in December of 2005. I am trying to determine what (if any) federal tax deduction I can take. The IRS website says that it has approved the clean fuel tax deduction for Civics of model years 2003 - 2005 for tax year 2005. I can't qualify for the 2006 tax credit because I bought it in 2005. Am I stuck in the middle?

The new honda civic is hideously ugly. Who are we trying kid? I wouldn't pay anything for it. I'd rather have a probe, seriously.

I own a 2008 Honda Element and it's a fantastic vehicel and I want to but a second Element as well. I'd like to know if the Element will bee available as a Hybrid in the near future?????????????????????

I'm now getting better gas mileage on my hybrid - even better than the sticker. All due to driving habits.

I've been driving a 2004 Civic Hybrid for 4 years, and until recently I had the typical experience of getting worse gas mileage than the sticker said. On average I'd get 42-43 MPG in perfect conditions, 36-37 MPG with the AC on. Recently, with gas prices up, I tried modifying my driving habits, and am now able to get consistently more than 50 MPG in good conditions and 42-43 MPG even with the AC on.

What do I do? Mainly I avoid rapid acceleration of any kind, try to maintain a constant speed in all traffic conditions, and let the car decelerate a bit when going uphill rather than trying to step on the gas to compensate. As long as I stay under 55 MPH, I pretty much keep the RPMs at under 2000 at all times (under 2500 with the AC on).

Anyone have similar experience?