Without much hesitation, we decided to buy a hybrid car. Though the options are rapidly multiplying, the real choice was between the Toyota Prius and the Honda (Civic, Accord). We plumped for the Civic: the Prius's futuristic looks did not appeal to us, and the Accord hybrid's mileage was not impressive enough (thanks to a heavy V6 engine, mostly).
The 2006 Civic looks more like a regular car than the Prius. However, it has been revamped for a sporty, aerodynamic design that definitely contributes to the high mileage ratings (49 mpg on arterials, 51 mpg on freeways). After 3000+ miles, we are consistently clocking 45+ mpg. My work commute of roughly 22 miles each way (on slightly hilly terrain) essentially translates to an empty tank every 9-10 days, which is fantastic on the wallet!
The 2006 Civic Hybrid has regenerative braking, which charges the battery by recovering power during deceleration. A nice little dashboard indicator tells you if the battery is assisting the gas engine, or is being re-charged. The dashboard layout also has a huge digital speed display, which is not hindered by the steering wheel.
The reduced trunk space in the 2006 Civic Hybrid has been perhaps its most bandied drawback. However, it quite easily accommodated two large Samsonite hard-plastic suitcases (of the size typically lugged to and from India) in addition to a tennis raquet and a 24-pack case of Gatorade. Not bad for a small trunk!
The driving experience has been great. The engine is smooth, and the switch between gas and electric engines is imperceptible. With Honda's legendary reliability, we expect to be very pleased with this purchase in the short and long runs.
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