Cars.com Reviews the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid
Compared to the rest of the redesigned Honda Civic litter, the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid is certainly the most disappointing, according to Cars.com Managing Editor David Thomas. The hybrid system doesn't feel as refined as those offered by competitors, and gas mileage isn't that much better than some of the regular gasoline Civic trims, yet it costs nearly $5,000 more.
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i drove insight via car sharing service and the hybrid system wasn't smooth when starting up or stopping. The car would slightly shudder each time the engine went dormant or started up. Sounds like Civic has the same issue. The Insight is NOT a good small car by today's standards. Its a throwback to the days when compact cars represented compromises. The seemingly unfinished hybrid powertrain only makes things worse.
Every hybrid I've ever driven or been a passenger in has the "shudder." Camry hybrid had the most pronounced "kick" whent he gas engine came on. But the Prius, Escape Hybrid, Insight, and Civic Hybrid all do it too. I think it's just a fact of life when you're dealing with a gas engine that starts and stops when needed. I mean, think about exactly what's happening there. The gas engine is roaring to life, just like any gas engine would. There's going to be at least a mild vibration. I personally don't think it's a dealbreaker, or an indicator that there's anything "unfinished" about the average hybrid powertrain.
I personally and wholeheartedly think...believe...that Honda's not that into green"er" technology.
All their fuel efficient technologies are either 2nd rated or limited testing purpose only. Hybrids in the former when stack up against Toyota and Ford, LEAF, i and Coda for the latter.
The only vehicle that I was seriously interested in was the Insight base, and that's solely due to the low price. I would have considered a Prius II if not because of Honda's special promotion with 0 down and 1 free payment.
Seem to me that Honda's management is still very into the 4 cyl - POWER thing (VTEC, or the evolution of it). They were able to do it since not that many vehicles were 4 cyl back 5 yr ago, and safety standard was not as high as of today (much thinner metal and weaker structure in Honda = low weight = high gas mpg).
Honda is becoming the real dinosaur of Japan's auto industry...
I agree with A.R. Honda has always had second rate hybrid systems and never really seen much improvement. Even the Insight still uses a belt driven A/C compressor, which of course can not function when the engine is off...
I havent driven a current Prius, but the last gen car did have the shudder (as well as a cheap interior). Newer hybrids are seamless. I drove the Lacrosse eassist- the stop start function is transparent. Reviews of newer cars with start/stop systems and hybrids suggest this is common nowadays.
I drove the Lacrosse eAssist at an auto show a few weeks ago myself--that was the first time I had been in a start/stop car and I have to say I was QUITE impressed.
I've bought only Honda Civics since the early 1990's, but I am really envious when carpooling in my friend's new Prius with all the options. Automatically keeps you centered in the lane, dynamic cruise control, GPS, ...