Honda Civic Hybrid (2006 – 2011) Review

Honda Civic Hybrid (2006 – 2011) At A Glance

3/5

+Congestion charge exempt if registered before January 2011, cheap car tax.

-Rolls a lot in corners, no longer congestion charge exempt after 2011.

Insurance Group 16
On average it achieves 76% of the official MPG figure

The UK market Honda Civic IMA was always a bit of an oddball. An Integrated Motor Assisted 1.3 engine, 5-speed manual transmission and a four-door saloon body.

The new one, now called Honda Civic Hybrid, has a Jazz 1,339cc engine modified with self closing valves. And, taking a leaf from Toyota's Prius book, a CVT rather than a manual transmission.

Honda Civic Hybrid 2006 Road Test

Real MPG average for a Honda Civic Hybrid (2006 – 2011)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

76%

Real MPG

35–58 mpg

MPGs submitted

76

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

Satisfaction Index

Satisfaction Index What is your car like to live with?

We need your help with our latest Satisfaction Index, so that we can help others make a smarter car buying decision. What's it like to live with your car? Love it? Loath it? We want to know. Let us know about your car - it will only take a few minutes and you could be helping thousands of others.

Help us with the Honest John Satisfaction Index now

Ask Honest John

Selling two cars for one

"I have two cars which I need to trim down to one, I have a Honda Civic Hybrid, 2008, petrol auto, with cream leather, absolutely immaculate and has done 43,121 mls and a Nissan Qashqai 2.0 Acenta, petrol auto, 2012, also immaculate, which has done almost 17,000 mls, The Qashqai is really too big for my needs and the Honda won't take my ladders, which I need for work occasionally, (I'm a signwriter). I have found a Toyota GT86 which, amazingly, takes my ladders. It is an auto and has 23,000 on the clock, the main dealer wants £16,499 for it. Is this a fair price and could you tell me what I could reasonably expect for my two please, as part exchange or private sale? Thank you so much."
The GT86 is pure sportscar, thrives on revs, bogs down at low revs because has very little torque. Never got to drive the auto, Price is okay. You can price your two existing cars here: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/used-prices/ Don't p/x two for one or you'll lose a bundle. May make more sense to sell one or both to http://www.webuyanycar.com/
Answered by Honest John

Insight, Prius or Civic Hybrid?

"I can buy a Honda Civic hybrid for less money than an Insight and it appears to be better finished but you seem to say the Insight drives better. I can afford a pre 2009 1.5 Prius or a 2010 Insight, which is the better car?"
The Insight was built to be cheaper in the first place. But the Civic hybrid doesn't drive very well. A Prius, even the old Prius, is better than both.
Answered by Honest John

Is the Toyota Prius hybrid's plug-in charge just a gimmick?

"After an enjoyable test drive, I am considering the purchase of a Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid to replace my trusty Honda Civic Hybrid which is no longer is entitled to Congestion Charge exemption. I drive each day about 17 miles to the office and back, and Toyota says that the Prius plug-in will do 15 miles on the battery charge. But a friend who has bought one says the figure is more like nine miles on one charge. I have the facility to charge at each end of my journey for between eight and 12 hours. Is the recharge a gimmick, or a practical response to saving money and time refuelling? The other solution is to buy a 100 per cent electric car and keep the Honda, but that means more insurance and service costs despite no Vehicle Excise Duty."
The Prius Hybrid may have a shorter range than a full electric car but means no 'range anxiety'. It will always get you home. But if you go all-electric, the Renault Zoe, from £14,000, beats everything.
Answered by Honest John

Recommendation from HJ - I'm buying a small/medium family car

"I have a Nissan Alemra 1996 1.5 auto. It's low on mileage, but quite old now, and I've been driving it since 2007. It was very good for the first three years, but since last year, during every service, a long list of repairs are being suggested by the garage. The car now worth less than this years repair cost (which I am yet to start) - hence thinking about changing it. We are a family of two adults, two kids, and we need to have buggy space in the boot. My driving style - daily 2-4 short (2-3 mile long) urban trips, monthly two longer motorway trips of 30-40 miles. Annual mileage so far less than 5000. I have not set a budget yet, but probably would go for around £5000. Thinking about Toyota Prius 2005-6, Honda Civic Hybrid, or if you can give idea about any other non-hybrid automatic cars. For the 7-8 year old hybrids, are the repairs and servicing expensive? Do I need to have a new set of batteries? "
The automatic requirement hugely restricts your choice. Maybe you could find a Nissan Note 1.6 auto for your money. Avoid DGS and automated manuals like i-shifts.
Answered by Honest John
More Questions

What does a Honda Civic Hybrid (2006 – 2011) cost?