If I were shopping for a car right now, this would be my first choice. With gas prices soaring again, hybrids are becoming more and more appealing to buyers. The 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid sedan has been at the top of the list this year with reviewers. The Civic was selected as 2006 Motor Trend© Car of the Year, IntelliChoice® “Best Overall Value of the Year” in the compact class over $16,000, and MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Award for both Best of the Year and Best Small Car.
I spent about $25 to top off the tank after driving over 300 miles. It was still a quarter full.
Compare that to the $40+ for most other sedans. According to Honda, “Its refined gasoline-electric powertrain helps you save plenty of money on fuel – with up to 49 mpg, based on 2006 EPA mileage estimates during city driving.”
For the price, the Civic was extremely well equipped. At around $22,000 this Civic came with Honda Navigation with Voice Recognition, Air Conditioning with Automatic Climate Control, Power Windows with Auto-Up/Down Driver’s Window, Power Door Locks with Auto-Lock Feature, Cruise Control, Steering Wheel-Mounted Controls and more!
I drove a Hybrid a couple of years ago and it felt sluggish – not the 2006 Civic! I easily accelerated on the highway and going up hills.
The two-tiered instrument panel is interesting and takes a minute to get used to as does the general reaction of the car when you stop/start.
Warranty Information per Honda:
- The Civic Hybrid comes with a 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty, just like every other Honda. Its battery pack comes with an 8-year/80,000-mile warranty,* and all emissions-related equipment comes with a more extensive warranty. See your dealer for details. *Limited battery pack warranty may vary.
Safety Features per Honda:
- 3-Point Seat Belts at All Seating Positions
- Front 3-Point Seat Belts with Automatic Tensioning System
- Adjustable Front Seat Belt Anchors
- Driver’s and Front Passenger’s Seat Belt Reminder
- Dual-Stage, Dual-Threshold Front Airbags (SRS)
- Front Side Airbags with Passenger-Side Occupant
- Position Detection System (OPDS)
- Side Curtain Airbags
- Active Head Restraints
- Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
- Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
- Brake Assist
- Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
- Side-Impact Door Beams
- Outboard Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
- Child-Proof Rear Door Locks
- Emergency Trunk Opener -
Features / Honda Civic Hybrid
- 110hp 1.3-Liter SOHC 8-Valve,
- In-Line 4-Cylinder with Integrated Motor Assist
- Advanced Technology Partial
- Zero-Emission Vehicle (AT-PZEV)
$22,150.00 - Continuously Variable Transmission
$23,650.00 - Continuously Variable Transmission with Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™
MILEAGE: CITY 49 HWY 51
Estimated annual fuel cost $660
