The Honda Civic is a renowned gas-sipper in the compact car market and the latest iteration of the hybrid model is no exception.
For 2015, the Civic Hybrid continues the 2014 car's gas mileage of 45 mpg combined (44 mpg city, 47 mpg highway), itself an improvement on the 2013 model's 44 mpg all-round.
Now that the Honda Insight is waving goodbye, the Civic Hybrid remains one of just two Hondas using the old 'Integrated Motor Assist' hybrid setup.
The other is the sporty Honda CR-Z coupe, which features a similar 1.5-liter gasoline engine to the Civic Hybrid but lags behind on combined economy with a 37 mpg figure.
Focus has now turned to the more advanced hybrid setup used in the Accord Hybrid. While this costs more than the Civic--$29,155 plays $24,635 (before delivery fees) it's also better to drive and more fuel-efficient, returning 47 mpg combined (50 mpg city, 45 mpg highway).
The Civic still has merit though, despite occasionally clunky low-speed behavior from the hybrid drivetrain.
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It takes on a few Accord-style design touches on the exterior, and inside it gets pleasant trim materials and soft-touch surfaces.
The Civic also rides smoothly, is generally refined and comes well-equipped.
$24K is a lot to pay for the hybrid though, so for some buyers the regular Civic models may prove more cost-effective.
Opt for the continuously-variable transmission and 143-horsepower four-cylinder, and 33 mpg combined is on the cards (30 mpg city, 39 mpg highway). Upgrade to the HF--taking the price from $19,190 to $19,940--and Honda quotes combined mileage of 35 mpg (31 mpg city, 41 mpg highway).
To all the above prices you can add Honda's mandatory $790 destination and handling fee.
Head over to The Car Connection for a full review of the 2015 Honda Civic, which makes its debut this fall.
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