MPG-o-Matic 2013 Honda Civic Hybrid Review Summary: The Honda Civic Hybrid received a cosmetic refresh for the 2013 model year. While the updated interior and exterior design touches set the latest Civic Hybrid apart from the austere models of previous years, the competition’s never been tougher. Although Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) System is efficient, it is not capable of pure electric engine-off gliding, as are the systems from Ford, Hyundai, Kia, and Toyota. Nevertheless, the Civic Hybrid remains a reliable choice that’s fully capable of combined fuel economy in the mid-to-high 40 mile per gallon (MPG) range when driven properly.
The Civic Hybrid’s 1.5-liter inline four cylinder engine and electric motor are carried over from previous years. The engine provides 110 horsepower and 127 foot pounds of torque, with the Hybrid IMA system’s permanent magnet electric motor delivering 23 horsepower and 78 foot pounds of torque. While the CVT transmission has a sport mode, it lacks a manual mode. Acceleration is lackluster.
The 2013 Honda Civic Hybrid is rated at 44 city / 44 highway miles per gallon. We put more than six hundred miles on the clock and found those numbers to be spot on, achieving an average of 45.6 miles per gallon. The 13.2 gallon fuel tank allows for a healthy cruising range.
The fuel efficiency displays are a highpoint, with colorful line-of-sight graphics, a thermometer style Instant MPG gauge, and a historic MPG readout in the head unit.
Although the head unit’s graphics aren’t as slick as the dash’s display, Honda’s included plenty of bells and whistles:
- Multi-view rear view camera
- Handsfree Bluetooth
- Bluetooth audio streaming
- Digital media support that includes Pandora
You’ll find a 12-volt outlet at the base of the dash (beside the auxiliary audio input) and another inside the center console (where you’ll also find the USB input).
Honda is to be commended for providing standard safety features that include forward collision and lane departure warning.
The Civic Hybrid is efficient, but not overly flexible. If you’re set on a Honda Hybrid, but need more flexibility for carrying stuff and would like a lower sticker price, the Insight delivers more cargo space at a lower MSRP.
The rear seat provides 37.1 inches of headroom, 36.2 inches of legroom, and 51.4 inches of hip room. The rear seat lacks a center armrest. The trunk provides just 10.6 cubic feet of cargo area. A tire inflator is provided in lieu of a spare.
It should be noted that while the conventionally-powered Civic HF comes close to the Hybrid’s rating on the highway, at 41 miles per gallon, it’s considerably less efficient in the city at 29 MPG. Your purchase decision should be based on the type of driving you encounter on a daily basis. The more city traffic, the more justification you’ll have to go with the hybrid.
2013 Honda Civic Hybrid Review
Daniel Gray
2013-9-05
– by Daniel Gray
NOTE: MPGomatic produced this video review for Autobytel.
You are right about the high points of this Honda Civic, I would add the clear back lenses to the list though. I would have expected better MPG from a Honda Civic hybrid, considering how efficient the regular Civic is. I do agree that only people it will appeal to are those that do mostly city driving.