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2012 Honda Civic Hybrid achieves 68.7mpg in HybridCars testing

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Rybold, Apr 20, 2011.

  1. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

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    HybridCars.com Achieves 68.7 MPG in 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid | Hybrid Cars
     
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  2. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    Hah! Semantics. How freakin petty of Honda. It's still no Prius.

    For the storm they talk up about mileage I'm thinking as I read this...why wouldnt people just buy the Prius?

    A picture in front of the US Capitol. Lol. Oh that makes this car WAY better. I've lost so much respect for Honda, can ya tell?
     
  3. tpfun

    tpfun New Member

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    I hope not. For one, it should have better handling and highway stability.
     
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  4. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    You want handling and stability? Lower your Prius, add a strut brace, add sway bars, replace the chassis brace and don't ever complain to me about Prius handling again. There. Oh wait you don't have one.
     
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  5. krelborne

    krelborne New Member

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    Is that supposed to be a good thing?
     
  6. MSantos

    MSantos EcoAccelerometry

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    Good question.

    Perhaps for the very same reason I have always owned both? ;)

    Anyway, my 2012 HCH is already ordered and it should be quite fun to learn what the true FE potential of the new model is really all about.

    So far, it is nothing radical as details go... but the hybrid topology and packaging has not changed that much to be revolutionary. :rolleyes:

    In the end, you always have to be a bit skeptical of any marketing fluff and instead get the goods behind the wheel with a service manual within reach.

    Cheers;


    MSantos
     
  7. mikewithaprius

    mikewithaprius New Member

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    That's great mileage, even if only over 10 miles. It's interesting to me that he achieved this mileage by trying to stay right at 45 mph. Not sure if that's just close to what it gets on a flat course with CC, or if there was pulsing and gliding. In any case, I'd love to see some other cars catch up to the Prius curve on Fuelly. The more mpgs the better.
     
  8. wick1ert

    wick1ert Senior Member

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    Not that I want to argue and agree with who you replied to, but the point is that the Civic Hybrid has better handling and stability, IMO. I had an 07 which I traded for my Prius. The handling and stability at higher speeds was one thing I did truly miss. You don't have to make those mods to the Civic to achieve this, either. Of course, that alone isn't any reason at all for me to want to go back to one, but I do wish that Toyota had done some improvements for these two items. One day, I will be able to afford to do some of those mods to my Prius.

    This was one of the few areas where I rated the HCH better than the Prius when someone asked me why I switched.
     
  9. luckyboy

    luckyboy Member

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    Do not use neutral? Is the HCH going to be available with a manual transmission?
     
  10. MSantos

    MSantos EcoAccelerometry

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    No. Just Honda's usual CVT.

    However, while in a Prius one typically gets get into a glide by switching to N, you should absolutely NOT do the same thing on late gen IMA to get the same results. Placing it in N simply bypasses the cylinder deactivation and forces the gas engine to burn fuel, literally idling away. :(

    In fact, perhaps the "best" way to trigger a glide is to perform what we often call a soft-glide (HSD or IMA). A soft glide is induced by simply manipulating the accelerator pedal and "turning off" the ICE with no fuel or electricity being used. Mastering the use of a soft glide is not something many ecodrivers and hypermilers like to do but it works quite well on almost any high FE hybrid currently on the market and that is how it MUST be done on late gen IMA's.

    Cheers;

    MSantos
     
  11. billnchristy

    billnchristy Active Member

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    In near ideal conditions as noted in the test you could probably get 80 plus in the Prius.

    Full tank is all that matters, we have averaged over 65mpg for a 30 mile run and you still end up with the good ole 50 when all is said and done.

    Another matter of handling, the Prius is a mid-size car, Civic is a compact.

    Oh and good for them to continue to improve, it is certainly a viable non-prius option...personally I think they should focus on making the insight better though.
     
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  12. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    A lot of Americans prefer sedans over hatchbacks. I have no idea why, but it is the case. So perhaps this car will appeal to that group, who are also looking for good fuel economy in a Honda. Or Honda can compete on price vs the Prius. I imagine the Civic will have to be priced at least $1000 less for similar trim.
     
  13. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Hmm no mention of acceleration and power. Is it still slower than the Prius? My guess is it is still in the compact car category.
     
  14. MSantos

    MSantos EcoAccelerometry

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    Yes, it is still slower than the Prius and still on a smaller compact EPA class.
    Oddly enough however, many of the interior dimensions are actually comparable and even marginally better that what the gen 3 Prius offers.
     
  15. billnchristy

    billnchristy Active Member

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    Wow you are right, they know how to optomize the cabin for sure.

    Trunk is half of Prius though.
     
  16. tpfun

    tpfun New Member

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    The 2012 has a larger ICE.

    Yes, the interior dimensions that matter (RH,RL,RS room) are within an inch or less.

    Is the Prius mid size classification due to more interior air volume ?
     
  17. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    So the rear seats still don't fold down? I see the HV battery embedded into the rear seat.

    1.5 liter ICE is the same displacement as the Iconic Prius. 44 MPG is almost there with the Iconic's 46 MPG.

    IMA is improving but it has not reached the benchmark HSD set 8 years ago.

    Kudo to Honda for making HCH-III the most stringent AT-PZEV emission rating in CARB states. However, it is only ULEV-II in non CARB states.
     
  18. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    It is the total of passenger volume and cargo volume.

    HCH-III has 0.9 cubic feet more passenger volume but it has 10.9 cubic feet less cargo volume. If it were a hatchback like the Insight, it should be midsize.
     
  19. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The main thing I notice regarding size, coming from our previous 2nd gen Honda Civic Hybrid: when washing our 3rd gen Prius I can barely reach the centre of the roof, whereas with the Honda it was much easier. I'd guestimate the Prius roof is about 3" higher. We had both vehicles in the garage for a while, and they do seem quite simlar in size, but the Prius interior is roomier.

    A short list of the things I like about Honda's offering:

    1. More traditional, ie: key-in ignition, parking brake lever, ability to roll a turned-off car in neutral, and so on.

    2. Better gauge cluster, again because it's more traditional. Also, brighter, better color, directly in front of you, tach and coolant temp gauges included.

    3. Excellent Service Manual.
     
  20. giora

    giora Senior Member

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    Is the A/C compressor electric driven? Does it supply cool air at red light stop?