Honda Civic Hybrid 2.0 e:HEV Review: Perfect Manners
The Civic adopts the same 2-litre hybrid drivetrain as the Accord Hybrid, to great effect.
The Civic ‘e:HEV’, or colloquially known as the Civic Hybrid, suffers the same maladies as the Accord Hybrid. Namely, its price. At $228,999 at press time, it’s a poor case even against the 1.5-litre turbo four version of the Civic which is asking $45k less, at $183,999. The 2.0-litre engine in the Civic Hybrid will attract more road tax as well.
So what gives? Taking the money equation aside, the Civic Hybrid is super accomplished. In fact, it feels very much like the excellent Accord Hybrid, except with a better power-to-weight ratio, more chuckable handling and slightly less refinement. It feels more eager behind the wheel, as if the Accord Hybrid isn’t enough. Sound insulation is not as good as in the Accord, but that is to be expected.
The way the steering is geared and the brakes are modulated are very similar between both cars - that is to say, truly exceptional. Pair this with a superbly judged chassis and the car defies all preconceived notions about how hybrids drive. Hypermiling has hardly - or ever - been this fun.
The interior is also laid out in a similar way, with an ultra-legible infotainment system as well as a concise digital instrument panel. The main difference with the Accord is the lack of an adjustable circular knob in the centre console - no big loss in my opinion.
And then there’s the handsome looks. I haven’t really had a Civic tug at my heart strings so much since the FD generation. This FE looks far more mature and resolved than at least the last two generations of Civics. It’s a big win I reckon, but only if it comes without the OTT bodykit that’s present on this press car.
Like its big brother, the Accord, there’s little to fault the Civic Hybrid. But it will be destined to be an ultra-niche car in Singapore for the well-heeled, as most would find little sense to pay the additional outlay for the Hybrid over the ICE version.
Photos by James Wong
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