Why you should buy the hybrid version of the Honda Civic
A good long term hedge against higher gasoline prices?
But I sure wish it was easier to sell the Civic hybrid
“Get with the program.” That’s what an advertising agency friend told me once regarding Hybridcarblog. I’m too critical, he rightly pointed out. Instead, he suggested that I sell every hybrid and plug-in that I cover. That, he assured me, would drive ad revenues higher. Besides, he scoffed, modern journalism isn’t about selling the truth, it’s about selling ad space.
So, how do you sell a car like the Honda Civic hybrid?
Don’t get me wrong. I respect anyone that buys a hybrid or a plug-in, but my goal isn’t really to sell cars. Sure I first got into this game to promote hybrid and plug-in technologies, but only as a means to a better environment and greater national security — and those two issues, particularly the later one, are at the foundation of every word I write.
That makes covering this space tough for me, because I know how full of crap is the auto industry. I’ve been inside their game, and their use of halo products — which most hybrids and plug-ins are today — drives me, literally, towards insanity. Their ability to use perception and deception to obscure reality is impressive.
But let’s get back to Honda and the Civic hybrid.
On the plus side, Honda has offered some of the best fleet fuel economy in the industry, although that’s largely because they’ve simply avoided the truck segment. Likewise, Honda was an early adopter of hybrid cars.
So, why isn’t Honda’s hybrid program further along? Why isn’t the Civic hybrid, for example, more of a compelling purchase after more than 10 years in this space?
What do I mean?
According to Honda there is a $4,495 cost difference between the Honda Civic hybrid and the Honda Civic HF. Based on average fuel economy that means that Civic hybrid provides a $385 gasoline savings advantage per years according to government estimated fuel efficiency. Thus, it takes 11.67 years for the Civic hybrid to recover its hybrid premium compared to the Civic HF.
Why even sell a Civic hybrid? I mean, it’s not just the premium. That extra $4,495 also requires extra financing costs, extending this premium further. Add in the questionable reliability of Honda’s battery technologies thus far, and why take the hybrid risk?
That’s the way all hybrids are, right?
Wrong. According to Forbes the Toyota Camry hybrid, for instance, recovers its hybrid premium within 5 years compared to comparably equipped non-hybrid Camry. If you’re a hardcore city driver, the hybrid premium can be recovered even sooner.
Consequently, 5 years ago, I could understand this Honda hybrid price differential, but after nearly 1 million hybrid sales, Honda still hasn’t figured out a way to improve cost-effectiveness?
But, I digress. I need to sell the Honda Civic hybrid. So, why should you buy a Civic hybrid?
The best reason is probably because you’re a huge Honda and Civic fan and you want to make a statement, especially since limited demand might result in a great Civic hybrid deal that can help drive down the Honda hybrid premium. And, if you’re a hardcore city driver, you can probably reduce the Civic hybrid premium even more. Plus, the Honda Civic hybrid offers pretty solid resale value.
Even better, take the above, and consider your Civic hybrid purchase a hedge against future gasoline prices. If gas prices spike in the next decade — assuming you’re an average buy-and-hold car buyer — you could actually come out ahead long term.
Unfortunately, that’s a tough sell for most Americans, but if you’re a hardcore Civic fan, I think it’s worth the risk considering the last few years of gasoline prices. So, think long term and buy the hybrid version of the Honda Civic.
Sure, Honda’s hybrid technology offers little in the battle against foreign oil dependence, but it can at least take the scare out of gasoline spikes for Civic fans.
I agree with KPDriscoll that The base civic already has very good gas mileage, so there’s less incentive to pay the extra money.
If you’re really after the long term and buy the hybrid version of the Honda Civic.
I had a 2009 Civic Hybrid, and had the same frustrations.
It was borderline, but I was able to afford leasing a Volt, so I sold the Honda and ordered the Volt.
With the Civic hybrid I had nothing but frustration. With the Volt it has been the exact opposite. The Volt delivered everything it promised.
My Prius owning friends feel the same way as I do about the Volt. Their Prius has delivered everything it promised although at a higher cost than the Civic.
You get what you pay for I guess……
Maybe this is a warning for those waiting for cheap hybrids….if you want a cheap hybrid, that is what you will get….
I am also disappointed with Honda hybrids.
I bought a Honda Insight 2010 in August of 2010 and am an evangelist for hybrid and electric cars. The Insight, which uses the same system as the Civic, gets much better mileage in highway than city driving. This is the opposite of the Toyota’s system which has a much larger electric engine and can move the car on electric alone. Therefore thew Honda hybrids are great if you do mostly highway, back roads driving (50+ MPG).
That said, the Insight (and the Civic hybrid I assume) have some serious issues. First, the autostop system is quite erratic and unpredictable. I have tried to figure out whether it depends on the battery charge level, other systems running, Econ mode, etc. and the only thing I finally discovered is that it definitely will not shut off the engine if the ventilation is set to defrost or feet/defrost. If you come to a top to park, the engine MAY shut off, but always turns back on when you put it in Park missing obvious efficiencies. Then, of course, if the engine does shut off at a stop light, there is a moment of hesitation when you start up again.
Then there is the CVT. It’s great for gentle cruising and acceleration, but there are times when it lurches or grabs if it can’t figure out what to do. This too is unpredictable so you are often on edge in certain conditions like making turns at intersections. I have asked about this at the dealership and they said this is normal and all Honda CVTs are like this. I tried a 2012 Insight and it was just the same.
Both of these things, along with the Insight’s general lack of refinement, finally took their toll on me and I decided to check out the Volt and Leaf. Both were quite smooth and refined but their seats did not work for my bad back and are way too expensive. The Volt would seem to make more sense because for only about $5000 more, you get the unlimited range.
Since I only drive about 8000 miles a year, I decided to get a regular Civic for now until there are more affordable choices in about 3-4 years. On the first tank, I am getting about 37 MPG compared to about 47 for the Insight at this time of year (Massachusetts).
It is fortunate that the Honda Civic Hybrid is not the poster child for hybrids.
Imagine the Toyota Prius having the same issues with battery problems and lawsuits for not meeting mileage estimates as the Honda Civic Hybrid II.
It is hard to figure out why Honda’s IMA system, which has a much smaller electric motor and a smaller battery than the Prius, still adds $5000 more to the cost of a Honda Civic. With that smaller battery and motor, Honda is also not able to get the kind of mileage that Toyota gets.
It is not hard to see why Honda Civic Hybrid sales are so poor.
For years, the Honda Civic hybrid served as the only competition for the Prius. It is good that we are now seeing other hybrid models that have fuel economy numbers that are more competitive with Toyota. This is something we have needed for years that Honda had difficulty providing….
1) The base civic already has very good gas mileage, so there’s less incentive to pay the extra money.
2) Less storage space than the ICE version. It needs the hatchback space. It has very little trunk space and even that has a small opening.