This is the hybrid powertrain.
Credit: Honda
And that can be tempting. The car we tested is much more pedestrian than the Type-R, but from the driver's seat it wants to eat up corners almost as voraciously as that track-tuned model. That surprised me because the Type-R uses a limited-slip differential, while these more sedate models do not. This is indeed a car that will reward you for driving it down a winding road, should you wish.
The paddles on the steering wheel increase or decrease the amount of regenerative braking you experience when you lift off the accelerator instead of shifting through (non-existent) gears. When turned off, the Civic Hybrid will drive down the road with confidence; in the strongest setting it is not really driving with one pedal.
The driving position is now quite low for a normal passenger car, no doubt a feeling exacerbated by an over-heavy driving diet in crossovers and SUVs, but you don't feel as close to the ground as in, say, an MX-5. Visibility is good and the ergonomics/HMI deserve praise due to the fact that most of the controls are physical buttons. The vents even have little machined metal stems to direct them.
It is a well-thought-out interior.
Honda
It is a well-thought-out interior.
Honda
Just look at those glorious controls.
Honda
Just look at those glorious controls.
Honda
It's a hatchback, so very practical.
Honda
It's a hatchback, so very practical.
Honda
Just look at those glorious controls.
Honda
It's a hatchback, so very practical.
Honda
It's also easy to live with. Thanks to the hatchback, loading cargo isn't a hassle, although at this price you do have to close your own tailgate; there is no motor assistance. The front and back are spacious enough, considering the class of car, and there are plenty of USB-C ports for people to charge their stuff. On cold days, the heated front seats warmed up very quickly, although a heated steering wheel would have been a nice addition.
The Sport Touring Hybrid we tested also comes with a 9-inch Android Automotive-based infotainment system that includes a full suite of Google car services, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And all Civics come with Honda Sensing, the company's suite of advanced driver assistance systems. Unusually for a Honda, we didn't even notice that many false positives for the forward collision warning.
All in all, I find very little reason not to recommend the Civic Hatchback Hybrid to those looking for a fun and efficient car that isn't too big, too expensive, or too reliant on touchscreens.
