2006 Honda Civic Hybrid

Civic Hybrid
The hybrid powertrain has received a notable update. The gas-powered 1.3-liter four, now a three-stage i-VTEC, puts out 93 horsepower and 89 pound-feet of torque. Combined output, including the electric motor's power output, totals are 110 and 123, respectively, up from the 2005's combined 93 and 105. Behind the engine is a CVT; the five-speed manual is no longer available.

The new AT-PZEV hybrid has a feature not seen in the 2005: the addition of a motor-only drive mode, making it a true hybrid. At start and when accelerating, the electric motor assists the engine at different levels. Gentle acceleration and high-speed cruising sees the engine work alone. At low-speed cruising, between 10 and 30 mph, the motor goes solo, and, at idle, the engine is off and the brakes enter regeneration mode.

Thanks to the advancements in the fourth generation of Honda's IMA hybrid technology, fuel economy is estimated at greater than 50-mpg combined city/highway, an improvement that comes despite the Civic line's weight gain. And, yes, the A/C will work even when the car's running just on the electric motor. Expect to see the hybrid in showrooms this month; a natural-gas Civic will follow in early calendar-year 2006.