2011 Honda Civic Hybrid

Base MSRP: $23,950

Reviewed

June 2011

Good fuel economy, but lives in Prius shadow

Pros

High fuel economy
Agile handling
Unusual styling inside and out
Interior quality
Excellent reliability record
Strong resale value

Cons

Reduced trunk space
Rear seatbacks don't fold
Significant road/engine noise
Honda Insight is cheaper, as fuel efficient

Our Analysis

Reviewers like the 2011 Honda Civic Hybrid (Base MSRP: $23,950), the hybrid version of the regular well-rounded Honda Civic. This four-door, five-passenger sedan is praised for its high fuel economy, nimble handling, and overall fit and finish. Reliability has been excellent for the hybrid, as well as for all current and past model years. The Honda Civic model range, including the Civic Hybrid, has been redesigned for the 2012 model year and that car is already in dealerships. See our initial report on the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid (Base MSRP: $24,050) for the latest details.

The 2011 Civic Hybrid is essentially a carryover of the 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid (Base MSRP: $23,800)

Reviewers prefer the Toyota Prius

As much as reviewers like the Civic Hybrid, the reviewer consensus is that the 2011 Toyota Prius (Base MSRP: $21,650 to $28,790) is preferable for its better fuel economy (50 mpg combined driving) and greater cargo capacity, among other things. Furthermore, the 2011 Honda Insight ( Base MSRP: $18,200 to $21,490) is a cheaper hybrid from Honda that offers nearly identical fuel economy.

The Civic Hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 40 mpg city/43 mpg highway/41 mpg combined rating, which is good. Newer, cheaper economy cars like the best-reviewed 2011 Hyundai Elantra can achieve an EPA-estimated 40 mpg on the highway, but they don't do as well in city. Also, bigger hybrids like the 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid (Base MSRP: $28,600) achieve similar fuel efficiency numbers but have more cargo capacity and passenger space.

Safety scores vary

Crash-test scores are good, but not the best. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates the 2011 Honda Civic Hybrid as a Top Safety Pick, indicating that it received the highest possible crash-test scores for front, side, rear and rollover scenarios. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the '11 Civic Hybrid a middling 3 star rating for overall safety. The Civic gets a 4 star rating in frontal crash, a 4 star rating in rollover resistance, and a 2 star rating for side impacts. Standard safety features include front, side and curtain airbags, active front head restraints, antilock brakes and electronic stability control.

New 2012 Civic Hybrid is more efficient, available now

The 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid starts at a higher price than either the Insight or the Prius, at $23,950. The all-new 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid (Base MSRP: $24,050) is a complete redesign that gets an EPA-rated 44 mpg in all driving scenarios (city, highway and combined). Find out more about the 2012 Civic Hybrid (Base MSRP: $24,050) in our report on this new model.

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Our Sources

1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

Editors of ConsumerReports.org have tested the Civic Hybrid and rank it against other 2010 hybrid and non-hybrid sedans on a variety of criteria. ConsumerReports.org also reports on model reliability and owner satisfaction. You must be a subscriber to view premium content on ConsumerReports.org.

Review: Sedans, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

2. Edmunds.com

The 2011 Honda Civic (including the hybrid version) soldiers on unchanged before the major redesign for the now-available 2012 model year. The editors call the Civic hybrid "slow," and point out that the Toyota Prius is both quicker and cheaper.

Review: 2011 Honda Civic Review, Editors of Edmunds.com

3. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

The 2011 Honda Civic (including the hybrid) receives the IIHS' Top Safety Pick designation, meaning it scored the highest rating of Good for all four crash test scenarios (front, side, rear, rollover). Many other small cars get this award as well.

Review: Honda Civic, Editors of IIHS.org

4. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Government crash-testers give a different opinion than the IIHS. Under their new and more stringent testing criteria, the Honda Civic Hybrid gets a 3 star out of 5 rating over all, with a 2 star out of 5 rating for side impact protection. Frontal crash protection and rollover resistance both get 4 star out of five ratings.

Review: 5-Star Safety Ratings, Editors of SaferCar.gov

5. FuelEconomy.gov

This chart compares fuel economies for 2011 hybrid vehicles. The Honda Civic Hybrid's 40 mpg city/43 mpg highway/41 mpg combined rating is not high enough to earn a top spot on this fuel-efficiency list from the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy.

Review: 2010 Hybrid Vehicles, Editors of FuelEconomy.gov

6. ConsumerSearch.com

Our comprehensive review of the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid is full of details and reviewer opinions. The 2011 Honda Civic has essentially carried forward unchanged since the 2009 model year'.

Review: 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid, Editors of ConsumerSearch.com, May 2009

7. ConsumerSearch.com

The 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid is completely redesigned and more fuel efficient than the preceding 2011 model. Our detailed first look at the now-available 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid takes a look at specifications, improvements, and early expert opinions.

Review: 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid – Preview, Editors of ConsumerSearch.com, June 2011

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