PRICE OF PROGRESS

Hybrid hatchback delivers technology and driving enjoyment but it comes at a cost

There has never been a Honda Civic like this. After 50 years on sale in Australia Honda’s small car finally comes with hybrid power as the push to lower emissions heats up. The Japanese brand has returned to hybrids more than 20 years after it launched the short lived, Prius-rivalling Insight back in 2000.

The latest Civic follows the HR-V SUV, which was launched with hybrid power earlier this year.

Honda Australia’s general manager of auto, Matthew Evans, says hybrid power will provide the brand with a bridge to electric vehicles.

It is available in one-fully loaded LX grade priced at $55,000 drive-away. The price is both eye-watering and non-negotiable, as Honda moved to a new no-haggle business model at the start of this year.

The hybrid model is almost $8000 more than the petrol Civic, $13,000 more than the rival top-of-the-range Corolla hybrid and on par with an Audi A3 or Mini Cooper.

For that money, there’s a long list of standard equipment and surprisingly potent performance.

Inside, the cabin is beautifully presented, with top-notch build quality and premium materials, including high-gloss surfaces and textured highlights.

A stylish grille running along the dashboard and including air vents is a nice touch, while a large panoramic sunroof gives the cabin an airy feel.

Well bolstered and comfortable leatherappointed seats are electronically adjustable and heated in the front row.

Honda has freed up space in the centre console by replacing the traditional gear shifter in favour of buttons. Easy to reach physical climate controls are complemented by a nineinch digital touchscreen that is compatible with Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. It also comes with Bluetooth, digital radio, a pumping 12-speaker Bose stereo, a wireless device charger and multiple USB charging points across both rows.

A 10.2-inch fully digital driver display adds to the hi-tech ambience, while the new Honda Connect app allows owners to pre-cool or heat their vehicle before getting in, lock or unlock the doors and track the car via their smartphone.

Rear legroom is excellent for a small car and there is decent headroom despite the sloping roofline.

The hybrid set-up eats into available boot space, while a tyre repair kit replaces the spare wheel, but it’s still reasonably big compared with other hatchbacks. The car has an impressive armoury of safety tech, including 11 airbags. It will automatically brake if it detects a potential collision, while sensors will pick up a car in your blind spot or a vehicle approaching from the side as you reverse.

Lane-keeping assistance sounds an alarm and tugs on the the steering wheel if you begin to wander out of your lane.

The Civic is covered by a five-year/unlimted km warranty and servicing is exceptionally cheap at $199 a pop for five years or $995. On the road the Civic Hybrid shines. This generation Civic has excellent forward vision thanks to slimmed down pillars, a larger windscreen and hidden wipers.

The 2.0-litre petrol engine combines with the electric motor to make healthy outputs of 135kW and 315Nm.

There is plenty of shove off the mark thanks to the instant torque delivery of the electric motor, while the petrol engine kicks in under hard acceleration for maximum thrust. The performance is more than adequate for highway cruising and darting in and out of traffic in the city.

The added weight of the hybrid set-up – it weighs roughly 130kg more than the petrol version – means it’s not as sharp through corners but it hugs the bends better than most small cars.

Accurate and well-weighted steering provides ample feedback and driver engagement, while the suspension comfortably soaks up bumps and corrugations.

It’s quiet, too, with minimal road noise or engine roar.

It all bodes very well for the red-hot Civic Type R due next year.

Honda’s claimed fuel use of 4.2L/100km is excellent and easily achievable with measured accelerator application.

VERDICT

Beautifully presented, great to drive and extremely frugal but the price is hard to swallow.