2012 Honda Civic Hybrid

All 2012 Honda Civic models, including the hybrid, also have an "Eco" button that changes the throttle mapping and gearing action to enhance fuel economy when selected by the driver.

Interior design largely mimics previous model

The interior of the new Civic Hybrid is similar to the outgoing model, with the same tiered dashboard design. Cabin space is slightly larger. Initial impressions indicate that the interior materials aren't anything to write home about, particularly in light of new economy car competitors like the best-reviewed 2011 Hyundai Elantra, which has seriously upgraded their interiors, raising the bar for everyone else.

Initial safety ratings look good

The new Honda Civic Hybrid sedan will come equipped with the same standard safety equipment as before, including stability control, antilock brakes, front airbags, front-seat airbags and side curtain airbags. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) names all 2012 four-door Honda Civics, including the Civic Hybrid, 2011 Top Safety Picks. The Civic sedan aced the Institute's crash test regimen and roof-crush resistance evaluation, scoring the best rating of Good across the board. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not tested the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid.

Civic Hybrid vs. Prius

Popular Mechanics magazine has conducted a head-to-head comparison test of the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid versus the 2011 Toyota Prius, with a focus on fuel economy. After driving both cars 550 total miles -- one day was focused on highway driving, another on local driving, the conclusion is that the Prius is still the top hybrid overall, but that the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid has improved. Writer Ben Stewart says that "both hybrids exceeded their EPA ratings. Averaging our two loops, the Prius delivered 50.8 mpg while the Civic returned 45.4 mpg. The Prius remains the unequivocal hybrid fuel economy king, but the Civic is closing the gap."

To be continuedÉ

The 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid starts with a base MSRP of $24,050. We will update this report with more comprehensive detail and reviewer feedback once a larger base of reviews from the most credible sources becomes available.