Honda’s New Civic Hybrid Hits U.S. Markets with a Bang – Under $30K

Honda’s Civic Hybrid
Starts at around $29,000
A reasonably priced hybrid

As demand for electric vehicles falls, hybrid vehicles are emerging as an alternative. While vehicles from Japanese brands that have previously targeted the market with hybrid technology are enjoying a reflective effect and attracting attention, new vehicles are also being launched one after another.

After Honda introduced the facelift model of the compact Civic model in May 2024, the price for the U.S. market was recently revealed. In particular, in the case of this Civic, a hybrid powertrain is provided in some countries, including the U.S. The sedan version of the Civic Hybrid Sport trim starts at $29,845.

 

To be launched in the U.S. before this summer
Hatchback model to follow

With the first hybrid-equipped Civic introduced in the U.S. in almost 10 years, strong competitiveness is expected at a reasonable price of less than $30,000. The cost of the sports trim for the regular gasoline model starts at $27,345, an increase of $700 from the previous price. The price difference from the hybrid model was $2,500.

Honda plans to launch the Civic sedan before this summer and then the 5-door hatchback later. Accordingly, it will face fierce competition with the Toyota Prius, which starts at $29,045 in the U.S. Both models are attracting attention for their reasonable price and the high fuel efficiency of the hybrid.

Generates powerful torque performance
Expected fuel efficiency of 21 km/L (49.4 mpg)

The Civic Hybrid’s powertrain combines a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors to produce a combined total output of 200 horsepower and a maximum torque of 32.1 kgf.m. The Toyota Prius’s output is similar, with a maximum output of 196 horsepower and a maximum torque of 19.2 kgf.m, but the Civic has higher torque performance.

Honda explained that the new Civic Hybrid has strengths through more robust torque performance and higher fuel efficiency than before. Fuel efficiency is expected to be at 21.2 km/L (49.9 mpg); if this continues, there will not be much difference from the Prius’ 20.9 km/L (49.2 mpg). Honda plans to provide differentiated ride comfort through suspension, spring, and damper tuning optimized for the Civic Hybrid.

Equipped with an affordable trim in the $25,000 range
Performance is somewhat disappointing

Previously, Toyota was evaluated as one step ahead in the segment market through the Prius, but the launch of the Civic Hybrid is expected to change that evaluation. In addition to the hybrid, the Civic has an affordable LX trim starting at $25,345. The price increase is understandable as there are many improvements, but the performance is somewhat reduced compared to before.

The LX trim is equipped with a new 2.0-liter 4-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine. The previous model had a maximum output of 158 horsepower and a maximum torque of 19.1 kgf.m. Still, the new model’s output and torque were slightly reduced to 150 horsepower and 18.4 kgf.m.