New Car Overview of the 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid Compact Sedan
Description: Compact Hybrid Coupe
Base MSRP Range: $19,800 - $20,800
Invoice Price Range: $18,092 - $19,004
Where built: USA
This variation off Civic's sedan is a gasoline-electric hybrid that achieves fuel economy ratings up to 48 mpg with the CVT and 51 mpg with a manual transmission.
Primary power comes from the 4-cylinder gasoline-powered engine, an ultra-efficient plant composed of lightweight materials like aluminum, magnesium and durable plastics. It uses low-friction and lean-burn techniques with Honda's variable valve control to produce 85-hp. Secondary power is delivered by the high-output permanent-magnet electric motor tied to a 144-volt nickel-metal hydride battery. The battery makes 10 kilowatts of power, or 13-hp. A power control unit called Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) regulates the electric charge from the battery, then uses electricity generated through vehicle braking and decelerating to recharge the unit so it never needs to be plugged in for recharging like an electric vehicle.
But the nifty aspect of Honda's dual-engine power system is that Civic Hybrid looks and acts like a conventional Civic sedan and delivers more than adequate acceleration for city driving and even speedy moves on a freeway. Virtually silent at start-up due to its electric motor connection, the car leaps to action on command with the gasoline engine kicking up fast-fired acceleration.
