Test Drive the Civic Hybrid!!!!

[kdailey356]

So today I was just running around doing errands, met with some friends for sushi, and on my way home passed a Honda dealership. I stopped, just asking if I could sit in one of the 2008 C-Hybrids.. The dealer saw me pull in with the prius and said 'there is one in the back lot, we'll bring it up, feel free to take it for the night' with a smile. I said oh no!, ill drive it around the corner and through some back roads... so, I definately got a good feel for the car..

I LOVE:
-The normal starting of the engine with a key
The gear shifter
Not an overly active traction control system
Multi-adjustable seats, that are very comfortable, and doesnt make you feel as if your sitting on a stool.
Windshield wiper design
Interior color palate
Interior storage
&&&&&& The engine is extremely quiet, it does not sound like a hoover vacuum while being floored.

I DONT LOVE:
No back-up camera
Short on rear legroom(but good for a car this size)
Obv. no hatchback
Braking is not as sensitive as the prius, the prius has amazing brakes.
A tad bit slower from 30-50


Overall I might trade in the prius for the hybrid civic, It seems much more comfortable and looks like it wont give me a throbbing knee for drives longer than 3 hours. (im 6'2)


BUT my silver prius touring is soooo sentimental.. like all my cars... I wish i could have both

[alg]

The Civic hybrid still has $2,100 tax credit. It's a nice car.

[Tideland Prius]

It's a good car. I've test driven the 2006 one (basically the same as the 2007) and it feels sporty to drive. I'm surprised about your comment on rear legroom esp. since the wheelbase of the HCH-II is identical to the Prius. The rear legroom on the HCH-II is quite good for a compact car (and I thought rivalled the Prius).

[brick]

I would have been thrilled to try one last year but there were zero available even for a test drive. Honda can't compete unless they step up their manufacturing capacity.

[kdailey356]

There were 5 2007 left over models at the honda dealership i stopped at. Also, about the rear legroom, maybe it looked small to me because i had the seat all the way back. The seat in the prius does not go back far so probably the prius would have the same amount of legroom if i had the seat that far back in a prius. IM IN LOVE WITH THE CIVIC HYBRID!!! hahaha... it's such a great driving car...

[Tideland Prius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CapeCodPrius @ Sep 8 2007, 08:46 AM) [snapback]509054[/snapback]</div>

There were 5 2007 left over models at the honda dealership i stopped at. Also, about the rear legroom, maybe it looked small to me because i had the seat all the way back. The seat in the prius does not go back far so probably the prius would have the same amount of legroom if i had the seat that far back in a prius. IM IN LOVE WITH THE CIVIC HYBRID!!! hahaha... it's such a great driving car...
[/b]

Possibly. I don't think I had the seat all the way back in the HCH-II and I have sat in the back numerous times.

[David Beale]

I would have been very tempted if the Civic Hybrid was available in the coupe. It wasn't and I wasn't. Still, it's a nice car. They're going to have to drop the Canadian Civic Hybrid price, now that the Prius price has dropped, if they want to compete.

[daniel]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CapeCodPrius @ Sep 7 2007, 02:33 PM) [snapback]508751[/snapback]</div>

...
I LOVE:
-The normal starting of the engine with a key
The gear shifter
...
[/b]

The Civic is a great car. If the Prius didn't exist it would be the best fossil-fuel car out there.

But the first two items on your "I Love" list are the two reasons I would not want it: Conventional engine & transmission. I love the way the Prius does NOT start the engine unless it's needed, and I love the lack of a conventional transmission.

[goldprius]

We also test-rode a Civic hybrid before getting my Prius. Is the 2008 different from 2007? The main reason was we wanted a hatchback to put one bicycle in before needing racks & stuff. Also, the demo we rode at the Honda dealer had major "thunks" when the engine restarted. I did not notice that with the Prius, although it could have been a bad Honda for us.

Really, if he Honda meets your needs & you can still get the full tax credit..

That said, my local Honda dealer--when we looked at the hybrids way back when--said to consider a plain 5 speed Civic/ If you look at the difference in mpg & the potential cost of problems in a hybrid, he sad go conservative & get a 5 speed.

I know ther are lots of opiinions out there.

I own a Prius..

[n8kwx]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Sep 8 2007, 05:09 PM) [snapback]509206[/snapback]</div>

The Civic is a great car. If the Prius didn't exist it would be the best fossil-fuel car out there.

But the first two items on your "I Love" list are the two reasons I would not want it: Conventional engine & transmission. I love the way the Prius does NOT start the engine unless it's needed, and I love the lack of a conventional transmission.
[/b]

Ditto with Dan.

Toyota's hybrid technology is way beyond Honda's. Too bad, because Honda makes good engines, nice seats and nice suspensions.

And a "real" Hybrid is a must have for me anymore. Toyota's HSD is the first break from the engine - transmission - differential - wheels model. The exact same topology from a Model-T to a 2008 MB S-Class!