Canadian Driver: Used Vehicle Review: Honda Civic, 2006-2011

By Chris Chase
The eighth-generation Honda Civic hit the market in 2006, and made a bit of a splash when it did, with its wedgy exterior and modern interior, including a controversial split-level dashboard. Nevertheless, the Civic remained one of the most popular cars on the market and largely retained its reputation for being a dependable form of transportation.

If you bought a Civic in 2006, you got a compact sedan or coupe powered by a 1.8-litre, four-cylinder engine making 140 horsepower in all trims save the Si coupe and Hybrid. The Si got a 2.0-litre, 197-hp motor, while the Hybrid used 1.3-litre engine paired with an electric motor for a net horsepower power rating of 110. Regular-grade Civics came standard with a five-speed manual transmission that could be optioned to a five-speed automatic. The Si used a six-speed manual exclusively and also got a limited-slip differential; the Hybrid came with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) as the only one available.

In 2008, an Si sedan was added to the line-up. Some upper trim models got stability/traction control in 2009.

Natural Resources Canada’s fuel consumption ratings for the 2006 Civic were 7.8/5.7 L/100 km (city/highway) for the 1.8-litre model with manual transmission, or 8.2/5.7 with the automatic. The Hybrid was rated at 4.7/4.3, and the Si at 10.2/6.8. These figures would remain the same through the eighth-gen Civic’s run, to 2011.

Reliability on the whole has been good, earning the Civic inclusion on Consumer Reports’ list of used car “good bets.” It’s not without fault, however, particularly the hybrid model.
Consumer Reports’ data on the Civic shows electrical system problems with the Hybrid powertrain. These include the IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) warning light turning on, indicating a problem with the battery or the software that manages the IMA system. Here’s a thread talking about how high ambient temperatures and hot weather can negatively affect the Civic Hybrid’s battery pack. The battery packs themselves appear to be pricey; I’ve seen figures upwards of $3,000 for replacement (including labour) mentioned in more than one forum.
There’s also an IMA software update mentioned frequently that apparently causes driveability issues after it’s installed in the car’s CPU. Apparently, this is due to the system needing to recalibrate itself, but kills the electric assist function in the process, making the car slow, and dangerously so, say some owners.

If the check engine, IMA and battery light come on and the car loses electric assist (runs on the gas engine only), a common, and simple, cause is a weak 12-volt battery (just like the one every car has). If this battery is bad, it frequently causes the car’s sensitive electronics to go haywire.
Here’s a Civic Hybrid FAQ from CleanMPG.com.

I’ll go out on a limb and say that the Honda Civic Hybrid is one to approach with caution, especially used, and even more so if the hybrid system warranty is close to expiry. A couple of posters in this GreenHybrid.com thread call their 2007 Civic Hybrids the worst cars they’ve ever owned.

With that out of the way, non-hybrid Civics have fared much better, suffering only from relatively minor problems.

There’s a common problem with the Civic Si’s transmission that causes grinding and hard shifting into third gear, and a shifter that pops out of third. This prompted the folks at 8thCivic.com to draft a (poorly written) petition in an effort to get Honda to acknowledge the problem. The company eventually did, by issuing a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) advising dealers on how to fix the bad transmissions.

A popping sound from the front suspension, a problem that appears to affect mostly 2006, 2007 and a few 2008 Civics, is caused by an incorrectly manufactured bump stop. Honda addressed this in 2007, with the TSB that can be found here.

Read this thread for a few details about a rear suspension problem – bad upper control arms – that seems to affect only the Hybrid.

This thread indicates that some Civic owners have experienced head gasket failures. There’s no evidence of this in Consumer Reports’ data, though.

The two-door Civic earned a “good” rating in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) frontal offset crash test, and an “acceptable” score in side impact testing, with the IIHS citing a possibility of rib and pelvis fractures for front seat occupants. The four-door model scored “good” in both tests, but the IIHS noted that there was still a small possibility of rib fractures for front-seat riders.

From the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave Civic two- and four-door models five stars for driver and front passenger protection in its frontal crash test, and four and five stars for front and rear seat protection in side impacts, respectively.

Used Civic pricing, from Canadian Black Book (CBB), shows these cars have held their value well, as is the Honda way. At the low end is a 2006 DX coupe, at $8,150, or $8,625 for a DX sedan; for bigger budgets, a 2010 sedan in top EX-L trim is worth $20,200. The Si’s values range from $15,525 for a 2006 coupe, to $21,300 for a 2010 sedan (the coupe is a bit cheaper), and the Hybrid starts at $10,750 for a 2006 and ranges up to $17,075 for a 2009. (CBB doesn’t have pricing info for the 2010 Hybrid.) For middle-ground shoppers, a 2008 LX is worth $14,450.

As stated above, the Civic Hybrid is a car to avoid, or at least, consider very carefully when shopping for a fuel-thrifty vehicle. The rest of the Civic line has held up well, earning consistent above-average used vehicle reliability ratings from Consumer Reports, with few, if any, serious trouble spots. Regardless, look for a car with detailed service records and have it checked out by a trustworthy mechanic before buying.

Source;
http://www.canadiandriver.com/2011/01/27/used-vehicle-review-honda-civic-2006-2011.htm

2009 Honda Civic Hybrid Caught Testing - Minimal Changes

The changes are so minimal that I am just going to provide the link to the other photo's.
Link;
http://jalopnik.com/398624/2009-honda-civic-hybrid-sedan-gets-a-face-lift

How the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid Sedan Works

This is Honda's hybrid answer. The Honda Civic hybrid showcases Honda's renewed commitment to Hybrid technology and gives drivers a environmentally friendly car without any compromise on style, performance or comfort.

Honda's Hybrid system is called Integrated Motor Assist (IMA). Developed in 1999 it was first launched in the 2 seat-er Honda Insight which gave an idea of how advanced it was - 83 miles per gallon on a combined cycle.

Hybrid is the combination of a gas engine with an electric motor. The electric motor is coupled to a powerful battery. The electric motor helps the engine by giving it a boost during acceleration and solely runs the car at idle to reduce emissions and fuel consumption. The battery that powers the electric motor charges itself up with regenerative energy from deceleration and braking. A regenerative brake is a mechanism that reduces vehicle speed by converting some of its kinetic energy into electrical energy. A brake pedal sensor sends a signal to the car's computer, activating systems whenever the driver applies the brake. This allows braking energy from the wheels to be stored as electrical energy in the high voltage battery for future use. Therefore the car never needs to be recharged from an external power supply. This regenerative brake assistance also extends the life of the brakes and their components as it reduces its workload appreciably.

The majority of the hybrid cars available in the market today aren't that good looking. And nobody wants to drive around in a car that looks like a deflated football. Honda engineers have taken note and engineered the components to enhance looks and more importantly, help achieve their primary targets.

The elegant styling combines a sweeping roof-line, a sharply raked windscreen and short overhangs that contribute to the vehicle's advanced mono-form profile. Superior aerodynamics is achieved by ultra-tight body panels that fit firmly around the monocoque frame. A chin spoiler and a lip spoiler are also designated to aid the aerodynamics by reducing turbulence beneath and behind the car. The low-drag alloy wheels are made specifically for the Civic Hybrid so to enhance the looks and reduce excess weight while the opposable windscreen wipers serve both styling and efficient cleaning purposes.

The fuel tank is made from an innovative six-layer polyethylene composite material that blocks fuel evaporation and saves weight. The front sub-frame which accommodates the engine and transmission is produced from hydro-formed elements for increased strength and rigidity. Special rubber floating mounts minimize the level of road and engine NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) entering the passenger cabin.

But it's not all about the looks. Honda's new IMA system gives out more power than a conventional 1.6-litre engine (115PS), but only uses the same amount of fuel as a 1.1-litre car. There's no ambiguous starting procedure or complicated operating system – it looks and drives like a modern, stylish saloon with a top speed of 115mph. The Civic Hybrid's engine took top honors for three successive years at International Engine of the Year "1 litre to 1.4 litre" size category award from 2002 through 2004 and the "Best Fuel Economy" category for 2003 and 2004.

The Civic hybrid is one of the safest cars in its class. It is equipped with ABS and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) to achieve decent stability and high braking performance. Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) assists the driver in maintaining maximum possible control during cornering, acceleration and sudden manoeuvres by applying braking either to the right or left wheels accordingly while controlling the throttle and brake systems simultaneously.

The Civic Hybrid uses multiple "load paths" to limit penetration of the car's structure by absorbing more of the crash energy if it encounters a collision. Whatever energy gets through is mitigated by the car's eight standard air bags. The Civic Hybrid has earned top safety rankings from NHTSA and IIHS. To help reduce pedestrian injuries in the event of a collision, the Civic Hybrid's bonnet and wing areas are designed to deform if contacted by the head of an adult or child pedestrian. Energy-absorbing collapsible bonnet supports, wiper arms and wing mounts are designed to allow a degree of deformation in an impact making this car very safe to travel in.

For more information on some other 'Green Cars' check out the link;
http://www.automotoportal.com/article/5-best-selling-green-cars

New Honda Hybrid in the Works to Properly Compete with the Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius has pretty much dominated the Hybrid battle, at least as far as numbers are concerned. This is partly due to the fact that the Prius has alot of usable space, especially considering that it is a hatchback. In my neck of the woods, the Prius is the Taxi cab of choice (and who can blame them, great on gas with flexible storage space). The Honda Civic has its battery located between the trunk and rear seat, limiting the trunk space and getting rid of the rear folding seats (the only knock that I can think of on the car)!
Honda has now decided that it is time to give the Prius a little more competition. Honda has big plans for their next Hybrid. The new model will only be available with a hybrid system and is rumored to take its styling cues from the FCX fuel-cell vehicle set for production next year.
See my post on the FCX here;
http://thehondaportal.blogspot.com/2007/10/2010-honda-fcx.html
My guess is the one up manship begins not only with style but a Clean-Diesel Hybrid Engine!

How a 2006 to 2008 Civic Hybrid Works and other FAQ's

I get alot of questions about how the Civic Hybrid works. Hybrid vehicles are powered by a conventional internal combustion engine just like any other vehicle. The difference is that on a hybrid, that engine is supplemented with an electric motor. In Honda's case, the system is known as Integrated Motor Assist (IMA). Both the gas engine and the electric motor are used to propel the car. The electric motor on the Civic Hybrid is sandwiched between the engine and the transmission. The engine and electric motor are directly connected together and turn as a single unit; the Civic engine is always turning while the car is moving.

Whenever you step on the brake pedal of a hybrid, or even just let go of the gas, the computer switches the polarity of the electric motor turning it into a generator to recharge the battery. The brake pedal regulates how much current is sent back to the battery. The harder you step on the brake pedal, the more drag the generator places on the forward motion of the car thereby slowing the vehicle. If the vehicle is not slowing enough, the regular brake system takes over seamlessly to stop the car. When we are ready to go again, the computer will send battery voltage back to the electric motor to move the car. This amounts to free energy, so we need less power from the gasoline motor, hence less gasoline is needed. Since we do not need as much power from the gasoline engine, it can be made smaller and more fuel efficient.

Another way that the Civic Hybrid saves gas is by shutting the engine off whenever you come to a stop. As soon as you remove your foot from the brake pedal, the engine comes back to life without skipping a beat.

You never need to plug the car in to charge the battery, keep in mind that in climates that are cold (ie: Winnipeg, Canada - where I am from), it is wise to plug the car in via the block heater. The battery pack is self-sufficient and recharges itself automatically when decelerating through regenerative braking, as well as when cruising.

The Civic Hybrids run on just regular unleaded gasoline.

You cannot run on the electric motor only when you run out of gas.

The battery pack in designed to last 10years under normal driving conditions.