Here at Carwitter, we really do love the Honda Civic. It’s always been a great value-for-money family hatchback. Packed with practicality and useful features along with some incredibly economical engines…and some spicy ones, too.
So what about this latest generation Civic? It’s now morphed into the Civic Hybrid, but how economical can a 2.0-litre petrol lump really be?
Honda Civic Hybrid Looks
For me, the ‘Americanisation’ of the Civic is now complete. It doesn’t at all look European. It’s wide, low, and fairly abrupt in terms of the bonnet to A-pillar line. It’s not a bad thing, just that the Civic has gone in such a different direction compared to the ninth gen of 2011-2015, it’s almost unrecognisable.
Prices start at £34,995, which feels fairly average given new car prices these days. Especially hybrids. Our ‘Advance’ range-topping model came in at £39,795, but in all reality, you could plump for the entry-level ‘Elegance’ and not miss out on much as kit levels are so high from the off.
Civic Hybrid Drive
Having seriously loved the 1.6 i-DTEC diesel of yesteryear. The MPG was always insanely good, like 67 MPG and over 300 miles per tank good.
How on earth can a petrol compare? Well, it didn’t do bad. 57 MPG over 250 miles of driving, and there was still a good 30 miles left in the tank. So a drop of 10 MPG to ditch the ‘evil’ diesel, isn’t to be sniffed at. Hybrids are finally starting to be comparable with diesel units of old. Well done Honda.
In terms of performance, the Civic shines across motorway mile munching and back road twisties, with precise steering, a responsive engine, and a well-balanced chassis. The 315 Nm of torque makes the 7.8 second sprint to 60 MPH feel quicker, and throughout the 250 miles of driving the Civic never felt lacking. The CVT gearbox kept up with ease and acted more like a normal ‘automatic’ than any CVT I’ve ever driven.
Honda Civic Hybrid Interior
All Honda Civic versions feature a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including satellite navigation. All feature Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for enhanced connectivity. The higher-spec Advance models offer a fully digital driver’s display, while lower-spec versions have a less advanced solution.
The interior is spacious, especially for rear passengers, with good legroom and a large 404 litre rival surpassing boot. The Civic’s interior design, while not visually exciting, feels high-quality with appreciable physical climate control buttons.
2023 Honda Civic Hybrid Conclusion
Its comfortable ride and responsive handling make it a great choice for city driving and motorway cruising. The hybrid powertrain offers impressive fuel efficiency, ensuring low running costs, while the Civic’s spacious interior, quality materials, and convenient physical controls enhance the overall driving experience.
It’s a solid contender in the mid-size hatchback category, ideal for those who value performance, practicality, and fuel efficiency over flashy aesthetics.
