Test drive: 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid CVT

The 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid Sedan CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) is a marvel, especially if you’ve driven the MT (Manual Transmission) version. For a list price of $20,800 ($21,315 as driven including destination charges), the 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid Sedan CVT comes well equipped and carries a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty. The EPA estimates that you’ll get 48 mpg city/47 highway from the hybrid gas engine/electric motor setup. With the CVT, you’ll get a Hybrid that’s worth considering.

Wearing a coat of Opal Silver Blue Metallic paint, the Civic Hybrid Sedan looked great in my driveway. I guess I should be used to Honda quality by now, but I’m still pleasantly surprised by the paint and construction I see in their cars.

Despite a name that reaches back over three decades, the Civic Sedan’s design is crisp and modern, never trendy. It has nice proportions that belie its stature, so I didn’t feel like I was driving some toy car when climbing into the Civic. There’s a mature elegance to the Civic’s lines. The small deck spoiler adds some visual interest, and the confident, large tail lights add to a sense of safety. Some cool wheels would be a nice addition to the package, if you feel the need to customize your Civic Hybrid after purchase.

Unlike the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight, which advertise their hybrid stature with futuristic streamlined design, the Civic Hybrid bears just one external badge to its green qualities. Just below the right rear tail light, the word “HYBRID” appears in chrome letters, underlined by a black sticker reading “Gasoline-Electric.” You may not catch Edward Begley, Jr.’s eye from a distance with a Civic Hybrid, but the label is big enough to garner some attention from other motorists.

I usually write off compact cars as a possibility because of my size. I’m 6’2” and I’m wide, exactly the proportions that test the limits of comfort in a compact. The Civic Sedan swallowed me comfortably, even leaving room for passengers. The manually adjustable seat features height adjustment as well as inclination, and I was able to find a sweet spot that made driving an actual possibility.

The price point begins to show a bit in the Civic’s cockpit. There’s lots of plastic, and it’s not the best quality. The cloth on the seats is an ugly pattern and cheap texture. Cabin insulation and door insulation is a little flimsy, so the doors sound tinny when closing. Don’t expect the whisper-quiet of an Acura when you sit in a Civic, because you’ll be disappointed.

The instrument panel of the Hybrid is well-laid out, clear and easy to understand. Hybrid technology adds a few details beyond mph and rpm. Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) display tells you when the Hybrid is charging its batteries, when it’s getting an assist from the electric motor and real-time information about fuel economy. My one complaint is that the display is too dim when the headlights are on during the day, a pain if, like me, you use daytime running lights.

Having spent some time in the Civic Hybrid MT (Manual Transmission), I was not optimistic about driving the Civic Hybrid CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). I was blown away by how much better the CVT is to drive.

CVT replaces conventional transmission gears with pulley belts, eliminating the jerky transition between steps that a conventional automatic can have. Where you notice the CVT most is when you’re passing. Pressing down hard on the gas delivers immediate acceleration, not the kick-down and roar of a conventional automatic.

The CVT keeps the engine and the motor in the perfect rev range to get maximum torque and power from any given demand. It works transparently – you never get a sense that the car is working hard to produce power. Around town there’s always plenty of oomph on tap, so you can take advantage of the Civic’s small size to squirt through openings in traffic. Hills are no problem for the Civic, and you can even pass at highway speeds. Great transmission.

Handling is just okay, as the small, light car can get blown around by the wind. It’s pretty noisy on rough surfaces, and the suspension is just okay, not great. Drive this car in a safe and sane manner, though, and you’ll get a nice, comfortable ride.

One of the most consistent questions men and women ask me when they find out that I review cars (after “How can I get that job?”) is “Have you driven a Hybrid?” Having driven several now, the 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid Sedan CVT is the first one that has really impressed me. Much of the credit goes to that amazing transmission. CVT technology has begun turning up in conventional gasoline engine cars as well. This is first time I’ve had a chance to test CVT versus MT in the same car. Even though I’ve been a life-long manual transmission advocate, the CVT is a hands-down winner in the Civic Hybrid Sedan.

Compared to other compacts, though, the Civic Hybrid is pricey. If your goal in buying a Hybrid is to save money, you will be disappointed. Comparably equipped gas only compact sedans like the Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, Mazda 3, Hyundai Elantra, Chevy Cobalt, Ford Focus and even the gas-powered Civic run thousands of dollars less than the Civic Hybrid. It will take years of fuel savings to make up the difference.

If your goal in driving a Hybrid is to make a tasteful statement about your commitment to fuel conservation, however, the Civic Hybrid Sedan CVT is a great choice. Save some fuel for me – I’ll be the one in the Magnum RT.