8/14/2019 2004 Honda Civic Hybrid Review

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Call Technical Advice on 1300 655 443 for additional information on this vehicle, and for other automotive advice.or visit

www.mynrma.com.au 

LIKES DISLIKESOutstanding fuel economyTechnology is user friendly

Excellent build quality

Air conditioning cuts out when vehicle stopsin auto idle stop mode

Honda’s seventh generation Civic range has been expanded to include the new CivicHybrid. The Civic range was last updated inOctober 2000, and the model line-up wasstreamlined to include two body styles, sedanand hatch, with two specification levels, GLiand Vi. The Civic Hybrid is available in sedanonly, and is similar in specification to the GLisedan. The recommended retail price is$29,990. The conventionally powered 1.7 litreHonda Civic GLi Automatic retails for$26,950.Previously the Honda Insight two door coupewas the vehicle sold in Australia that Honda

used to showcase their hybrid technology . TheHonda Insight was introduced into theAustralian market back in March 2001, butwith a high initial retail price of $48,900 pluson road costs, an unusual exterior look, andsmallish interior dimensions, sales of theInsight were low. It’s a pity, because thetechnology Honda employed in the Insight wascertainly innovative and deserved morerecognition. Honda chose to call their hybridtechnology, IMA, [Integrated Motor Assist],and this name continues on with the Civic.By incorporating the same concept into one of

Honda’s most popular and enduring models

the Civic, Honda hopes that the technologywill become more accessible to mainstream buyers.FEATURES AND EQUIPMENT A 1.3 Litre 4 cylinder VTEC ULEV [UltraLow Emission Vehicle] engine and an ultrathin electric motor located between the engineand transmission have been fitted to the Civicsedan.The system works by capturing energy during braking or deceleration, and storing it in the battery [located behind the rear seat bulkhead]for later use. The electric motor also assists theengine during acceleration, as it accelerates thestored energy is directed to the high torque

electric motor to assist the engines performance.The petrol engine produces 63KW@ 5700rpm,and 119Nm of torque @3300rpm. Combinedwith the electric motor it produces 69KW@5700rpm and 146Nm of torque at 2000 rpm.The only transmission available is Honda’sCVT [Constant Variable Transmission]. Byusing this type of transmission the torque lossis reduced, increasing overall efficiency.The vehicle has specially designed Dunlop lowrolling resistance tyres. These tyres accountfor a 20% reduction in rolling resistancecompared to the conventional tyres of the

same size fitted to the Civic GLi.Stiffer springs and shock absorbers withincreased dampening rates, and a larger

diameter sway bar have been fitted.Overall not a great deal of the Civic sedanrequired changing to accommodate the Hybrid power train. The vehicle weighs 1190kg, 30 kgheavier than the automatic Civic GLi, and theGLi has 88kW compared to 69kW for theHybrid.BEHIND THE WHEEL The driving position and major controls arethe same as the Gli sedan. The tilt adjustablesteering wheel and height adjustable seatensures that drivers of various sizes shouldfind a comfortable driving position. The seat back felt a little firm on the outer edges, and

was noticeable on longer trips. There is amplelegroom and headroom for rear seat occupants,although more thigh support on the rear seat base would enhance rear seat comfort. Theonly major difference, once seated behind thewheel is the instrument cluster, which housesthe IMA readouts.ON THE ROAD

Drivers will not be daunted by any special startup procedures with the Hybrid, in fact itdoesn’t require any special techniques at all,and the petrol engine starts at the turn of thekey. Select drive and start off as in any othercar. The CVT [Constant Variable

Transmission] is similarly user friendly withthe only major difference that a driver mayfeel under normal operating conditions, is thelack of a defined transmission upshift ordownshift. Under hard acceleration enginerevs climb more than a normal automatictransmission, a sensation not unlike a slippingclutch in a manual transmission is noticed.This is a function of a constant variabletransmission and after driving for a short period is not unsettling.

Possibly the most unique difference betweenthe Hybrid and a conventionally poweredvehicle when driving, is the economy modefunction , which when selected enables the

Auto Idle Stop function. This function stopsthe engine when the vehicle is stopped and the brake pedal is applied. When the brake pedalis released the engine starts and the Hybrid canaccelerate away. At first the sensation was alittle eerie, sitting at an intersection without theengine running usually causes sweaty palms asthe drivers first reaction is the engine hasstalled. But take your foot off the brake, pressthe accelerator and you’re away without anyfuss. Turning the engine off when stoppedreduces emissions and helps reduce fuel usage.

If the driver has lightning quick reflexes aslight hesitation can be felt from the time delay

to restart the engine.Test vehicle supplied by

Honda Australia Pty Ltd

Honda Civic HybridMay 2004

Report No.705, by NRMA Motoring Information Services

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONSENGINEType......four cylinder in-line SOHC 8 ValveCapacity in litres........................ 1.339 LitresInduction................. Electronic fuel injectionFuel recommendation ............................ULPClaimed max power ........ 69kW at 5700 rpmClaimed max torque.......146Nm at 2000rpmELECTRIC MOTOR

Power output……………………… 10kW.TRANSMISSIONType........... Constant Variable TransmissionDriving wheels......................................Front

WHEELS .......................Alloy 5.5 x 14 inchTyres ..............................Dunlop 185/70 R14Spare ..........................................Space Saver

STEERINGType.............Power assisted rack and pinionTurns lock to lock.....................................2.8Turning circle..............................11.1 metres

DIMENSIONSMass...................................................1190kgLength..............................................4470mm

Width (incl mirrors 1920) ................1715mmHeight ..............................................1430mmGround clearance (measured) ............129mmSeating capacity...........................................5Fuel tank capacity...........................50 Litres

TOWING…………………………....Not recommended

NRMA THEFT RATINGPoints on 0-110 scale (high score best).........63

WARRANTY......Three years, 100,000 kms

MANUFACTURED IN ...................... Japan

TEST RESULTSACCELERATION50 - 80 km/h (in) ................................ 6.4 sec

60 -100 km/h (in) ................................9.1 sec0 -80 km/h.........................................10.7 sec0 - 100 km/h......................................16.7 sec0 - 400 metres ...................................20.3 sec

FUEL CONSUMPTION (litres/100 km)Best recorded during testing.....................4.9Worst recorded during testing ..................5.4Average on test.........................................5.1

BRAKINGDistance to stop from 80 km/h....25.2 metres

NOISE

Interior at a constant 80km/h…75 dB (A)

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The only other noticeable difference whilstdriving the Hybrid is when the Auto Idle Stopfunction is enabled. This controls the operationof the air conditioning unit, which stops whenthe vehicle stops. Prolonged stops will raisethe cabin temperature enough to make thisfeature noticeable, however the fan stillcirculates fresh air, and the Auto Idle Stopfunction can be switched off to revert thehybrid back to conventional operation.

City driving provided a fuel consumptionfigure of 4.9 litres /100km which makes theHybrid one of the most fuel efficient vehiclesgoing around. The highway fuel figurerecorded was 5.4 litres/100km, reflectinggreater usage of the petrol engine at higherspeeds.With 19kW less power, and some additionalweight, the Hybrid is a little more leisurely todrive than the GLi sedan. However, themaximum torque figure is only 4Nm less thanthe Civic GLi and is at a more useable enginerpm. The ride quality is firm, steering is wellweighted and provides a good level offeedback to the driver. Overall the Hybrid

 provides a pleasant driving experience.SUMMARYHonda has provided consumers a user friendyhybrid alternative vehicle that outwardly hasthe looks of a conventional model, which issimple to operate and drive. By incorporatingthe Hybrid technology into a mainstreammodel, with a recommended retail price ofunder $30,000 Honda has made thecommitment to purchase a vehicle that reducesits impact on the environment an attractive proposition.