Honda Civic Hybrid 2006 Review

We're pretty sure you can add the rising price of petrol to this list, because it's unlikely that we'll ever see prices come down again.

Expensive fuel is here to stay and in this context, 2006 is sure to see an even bigger swing to more fuel efficient vehicles, led by petrol-electric hybrids and diesel powered Euros.

Hybrids have the inside running because they burn petrol and everyone knows and understands this type of fuel.

Diesel on the other hand is still the subject of much distrust, based on the noisy, smelly trucks and utes of yesteryear – though this fear is totally unjustified these days.

Honda was the first manufacturer to offer a hybrid in Australia and now markets a hybrid version of its popular Civic sedan, with a racier looking update just around the corner.

We've had a Civic Hybrid in the garage for a few weeks now and have been impressed with he way it has slipped seamlessly into the family unit.

Unless you knew you were driving a hybrid, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between this and a standard car.

They even look the same.

We've clocked up a few kays behind the wheel of our car and the big difference is the time between fill ups.

Instead of once every few days, it stretches out to once every couple of weeks.

The Civic Hybrid is an easy, comfortable car to live with, if a little conservative in the styling deparment.

It's roomy and well equipped, with cruise control the only thing missing – left out because it's not a fuel saver.

For commuting or for just running around town, it's an extremely economical prop- osition, particularly as it's not fazed by stop- start city driving.

Like Toyota's Prius, the Civic Hybrid uses a combination of petrol and electric power to achieve remarkable fuel economy.

It has a small 1.3-litre four cylinder i-DSI VTEC ULEV (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle) petrol engine supplemented by an ultra-thin electric motor that is located between the engine and transmission.

The petrol engine produces 63kW of power at 5700rpm and 119Nm of torque at 3300rpm.

Combined with the assistance of the 10kW electric motor, total power output rises to 69kW at 5700rpm and 146Nm of torque at 2000rpm, with the electric motor's extra torque instantly on tap.

The Civic employs a Continuously Variable automatic transmission (CVT) to maximise performance and economy.

The shiftless system is smoother than conventional automatics with less torque loss, allowing the driver to make the most of the engine's characteristics.

Aerodynamic aids have also been added to achieve a low wind drag co-efficient.

The Hybrid's front bumper, engine under- cover, rear floor side under covers and rear spoiler are shaped to improve airflow over the car.

The car also rolls on low rolling resistance 185/70 R14 88H tyres.

The resulting fuel economy, Honda claims, is 5.2 litres per 100km.

So far our test car's consumption seems to hover around the 6.6 litres per 100km mark, with a best of 730km from one 50-litre tank of fuel.

Hybrid Civic is priced from $29,990.