2010 Honda Civic Hybrid

The Honda Civic Hybrid, a five-passenger compact hybrid sedan, gets high marks for being safe and reliable, but it isn't recommended as often as the roomier, more fuel-efficient 2010 Toyota Prius (Base MSRP: $21,400 to $28,070). The 2010 Civic Hybrid carries over unchanged from the 2009 model. For a detailed review of this vehicle, consult our page on the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid (*Est. $23,650).

The Civic Hybrid now competes not only against the Prius, but also against Honda's own new hybrid hatchback, the 2010 Honda Insight (Base MSRP: $19,800-$21,300). Both front-wheel-drive Hondas use variations of the same hybrid powertrain, which -- unlike the Prius -- can't launch the car from a standstill without the four-cylinder engine. At an estimated 40 mpg city/45 mpg highway/42 mpg combined, the Civic Hybrid's fuel economy is just slightly higher than the Insight's but not as good as the 50-mpg Prius.

Crash-test scores are excellent. The Civic Hybrid earns perfect 5-star government ratings in frontal crashes and for protecting rear passengers in a side crash, with 4 stars for side-crash driver protection and rollover resistance. At the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), all 2010 Civic sedans earn a Top Safety Pick designation with the highest rating of "Good" in all crash tests -- front, side, rear and rollover roof strength. Standard safety features include front, side and curtain airbags, active front head restraints, antilock brakes and electronic stability control.