Honda Civic Hybrid: A Better Car for Small Children

The Honda Civic Hybrid is the perfect family car for hybrid lovers, or hybrid owner wannabees. Hybrid technology is improving with each automobile model year, so the 2008 models will be better than the 2007s, and the 2007 is better than the 2006. the 2006 model, however-at slightly over one year of age right now-has outstanding performance, miles per gallon, and look and feel.

Consumers who are looking for a hybrid are drawn in by two factors: miles per gallon and functionality. The Toyota Prius outsells the Honda Civic Hybrid, in part because Honda limits its production of the car. IRS regulations permit a hybrid tax credit that averages around $1500 for each car, but only for a certain number of the models in any given year. So, for instance, once Toyota sells X number of Prius models in any given calendar year, people who buy one of the cars after that number has been sold wil not get the tax credit.

On the other hand, Honda has chosen to limit production of its hybrids to only the amount that qualify for IRS tax credits in any given calendar year. Therefore, all Honda hybrid car purchasers will receive the tax credit, depending on their personal income tax situation. Consult your personal tax advisor for more details.

Families who are debating between buying a Honda Civic hybrid and a Toyota Prius hybrid might not notice much difference. Both gets somewhere between 49 and 55 miles per gallon. Both are small but feel reasonably roomy inside. Both have the standard hybrid technology inside. Both come with all the bells and whistles consumers have come to expect. The Honda Civic hybrid, however, has one crucial difference: a much higher rear-end collision safety performance. For families with small children who ride in the backseat frequently, the Honda Civic hybrid is a clear choice. Because children are the most vulnerable passengers, and serious injuries can occur at lower speeds during rear-end collisions, this safety difference helps the Honda Civic to stand out for families with small children.

In this writer's family, the Honda performs well, although the miles per gallon drops dramatically in the winter, from an average of 49 in the late summer to approximately 42/43 in the winter. This writer's family has not experienced the dreaded "Honda fog" hat so many Honda owners complain about; the front defroster works well to eliminate interior condensation. The Honda Civic hybrid is roomier on the inside than the Toyota Prius, although both are a bit noisier on the inside, when driving at 55 mph or greater, than their non-hybrid counterparts.

The Honda Civic Hybrid retails for around $24,900, although in 2006 Honda added $1500 in a "market correction" (read: lower supply = higher prices). This writer's family, with two adults and two elementary-school aged children, manages long car trips as well as short town jaunts well in the Honda Civic hybrid. Getting 600 miles per tank isn't too bad either!