2008 Honda Civic Hybrid Review Summaries

What reviewers liked most about the Honda Civic Hybrid:

While driving the Civic Hybrid, the battery meter and charge/assist gauge provided instant rewards in exchange for efficient driving.

-- Cars.com

It strikes just the right note between classic and cutting-edge. It's not quite as racy and out there as the new European Civics but much fresher than many of its competitors in North America.

-- DetroitNews.com

What reviewers liked least about the Honda Civic Hybrid:

Auto-stop works fine, but it can catch you off guard sometimes; the engine occasionally needs to be started even when you're not moving, which can make the car creep forward if your foot isn't firmly on the brake pedal.

-- Cars.com

The Civic Hybrid has a taut suspension, and body roll is well-controlled, but the ride can get a bit jittery at times on uneven concrete highways.

-- Cars.com

Honda Civic Hybrid Comparisons:

[The Civic Hybrid] has a weakling 20-hp electric motor, whereas the Prius's makes a robust 67 horses, so it's better able to move almost 3000 pounds off a dime.

-- Car and Driver

[The Civic Hybrid] has a weakling 20-hp electric motor, whereas the Prius's makes a robust 67 horses, so it's better able to move almost 3000 pounds off a dime.

-- Car and Driver

Honda's hybrid system is more simple and compact and is more easily adaptable than the Toyota system to different vehicles.

-- Car and Driver

Best one-liner about the Honda Civic Hybrid:

[The Civic Hybrids are] dandy to drive, nice to view, better than its predecessor and welcome in a time of $3-a-gallon gasoline.

-- USA Today