2009 Honda Civic Hybrid CVT AT-PZEV w/ Leather and Navigation

Pros

Nav, Bluetooth, Controls, Dash, Seating, Fuel Mileage

Cons

Braking, Audio, Trunk, Service Interval, Boring Colors

Purchased As New

This is our second Civic Hybrid, other one is nav but no leather or heated seats (2007). We looked at the Fit and Insight but for our needs, Civic is still the best choice. The biggest change is the addition of VSA (vehicle stability assist) and rear disc brakes, and now you have bluetooth hands free and USB in the glove box with the 2009 at this trim point.

My first impression of the 2009 is that there is nothing to dislike but that this is also not the most exciting ride around. I like everything especially the integration of audio, nav, hands free, satellite radio. The seating is good esp. if you are small and don't need a lot of room. In other words, if you have a big spread down below you might not be comfortable. But this car will never have the knockout appeal of some other cars. It is the stealthy quiet hybrid.

Small complaints: brakes do not have the progressive omph of non-hybrids. Audio doesn't have enough bass. Trunk is small, no fold down seats. Service interval (oil change) can be under 7,000 miles if you do constant city driving. Hills and mountains expose the problem of an uncharged battery pack.

Pros: Fuel mileage is anywhere from 30 to 44 mpg, with the exception of cold weather. Now listen up lunk heads. Honda DOES NOT PROMISE fuel mileage - those numbers come from the EPA. If you live in a cold climate and have a cold winter like this year, you will get some low mileage unless you have a heated garage. This is because the fuel mixture is rich and the engine keeps running until the catalytic converter gets hot. This is done to reduce emissions.
Winter is rough on hybrids because they don't heat up fast and the batteries don't charge when cold either. Hybrids do best in moderate temperatures say between 45 and 85 degrees. Also if you drive only a couple of miles to work, there is the chance that you will never even have the engine shut off mitigating the 10% advantage you get from shutting off the engine while stopped.

Having said that, I think all my cars will be hybrids from now on. Being able to commute and go on vacation and only use 180 gallons of fuel a year and only produce 3409 pounds of CO2 is cool. A Ford Explorer will create over 11000 pounds of Polar Bear killing emissions, not to mention the fact that they use more gasoline and take up more road.

Other bonuses: Fit and finish are amazing. Honda knows how to put these together and don't give me this BS that they are not American made. Even a hybrid made in Japan has 60% American content! Most other Civics are made in USA or Canada. So get a grip on this, Americans in Ohio make these cars and do a great job....read morehide

Pros

LOVE THE CAR SPEEDO ON TOP IS THE FIRST CAR IN MY 60 YRS OF DRIVING THAT I CAN ALWAYS SEE MY SPEED

Cons

CAN ONLY GET 22 MPG IN TOWN WITH GREEN DRIVING

Purchased As New

THIS IS A GREAT LITTLE CAR---LOVE THE WAY IT HANDLES--
THE SOUND AND NAVI SYSTEM ARE A DREAM AS WELL AS
THE CLIMATE CONTROL I CAN GET 50MPG ON THE HIWAY BUT
ONLY 22 IN TOWN WITH GREEN DRIVING THE DEALER HAS CHECKED IT AND SAID ITS OK ITS A 2008 AND HAVE ONLY
12,000 MI ON IT EVERYTHING ON THE CAR WORKS SO SMOOTHLY AND IS WELL DESIGNED...read morehide

Pros

Style, comfort, amenities and great gas mileage.

Cons

No con - at all!

Purchased As New

I love my 2009 Honda Civic hybrid. I have had it three weeks - I have driven Interstate 5 in CA with two adult passengers going 80+ miles per hour and still got over 40 mpg. I opted for the Navi system in order to get the Bluetooth option and am so glad I made that choice - it should be a standard in any car now. The leather interior feels rich and comfortable - like a luxury car in an 'economy' vehicle. We have a Honda Pilot as well and love it - but it is definitely not a commute car. I sold my Honda Accord and bought 'down' but feel as if I bought up. I cannot say enough positive about this car. One caveat is that I do not have a young family - the trunk is small (smaller than the gas-Civic) and restrictive for traveling with multiples. That said, we have the Pilot for those times....read morehide