2009 Honda Civic 4-door HYBRID Sedan

Honda continues to make into reality what other manufacturers only talk about. Take, for example, the Civic Hybrid. It's a car that employs a small gasoline engine assisted by an electric motor that can, under certain low-speed situations, become the car's sole powerplant. Urban commuters will find the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid superior to its gasoline counterpart because it delivers extremely frugal city and highway fuel economy while producing minimal greenhouse emissions. Unlike the Toyota Prius, which assumes a functional but futuristic appearance, the Civic Hybrid closely mirrors the popular Civic Sedan, with only a few minor exterior and interior changes to differentiate the two cars.

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Whether your interest in hybrids is driven by political, environmental or financial considerations, the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid allows you to address those issues in a vehicle that's just about as comfortable and stylish as a compact sedan can be with little sacrifice in drivability.

If your interest in the Civic Hybrid is purely financial, you may be discouraged by the math (see our Pricing Notes in this review). The Civic Hybrid's sedan body style also isn't as functional as the hatchback design of the Prius, which also offers a fold-down rear seat. Lastly, if you'd like your hybrid vehicle to make a statement, the Civic doesn't speak as loudly as the uniquely styled, hybrid-only Prius.

In addition to getting a slight exterior freshening, the Civic Hybrid now features electronic stability control and a USB audio interface as standard equipment. New options include leather seating, heated seats and side mirrors and a Bluetooth enabled navigation system.