The Honda Civic->ke236 is a perennial favorite among buyers and auto writers. With consistently great build quality, competent handling and bullet-proof reliability, it is hard to beat. Honda->ke34 had a slight hiccup with the 2012 model, but it revised everything again for the 2013 standard sedans->ke142.

Now that we have hit 2014 and the Chicago Auto Show->ke225, Honda has decided to updates all its coupes and special models. That means we have a brand-new Civic->ke236 Hybrid to talk about.

The 2014 Hybrid gets the freshly upgraded exterior styling of its sedan siblings, and it gets even better fuel economy than last year as well. It even gets enhanced interior amenities with a new stereo, and the safety equipment has been improved as well.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2014 Honda Civic Hybrid.

2014 Honda Civic Hybrid

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Honda Civic Hybrid
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 110 @ 5500
  • Torque: 127 @ 1000
  • Transmission: Continuously Variable Transmission
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The exterior design of the new Hybrid mirrors the changes that Honda brought to the Civic Sedan last year. That means a more aggressive front end with chrome accents, revised headlamps and cool, triangular foglamps. Since this is the Hybrid, it also gets some neat new blue accents on the grille and unique wheels.

One of the neatest exterior changes is one that you can’t really see. The Honda Civic Hybrid has two small cameras mounted to the wing mirrors that enable the new LaneWatch system.

2014 Honda Civic Hybrid - Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase (in)

105.1

Length (in)

179.4

Height (in)

56.3

Width (in)

69.0

Track (in, front/rear)

59.1 / 60.2

Curb Weight (lbs)

2879

Weight Distribution (%, front/rear)

59 / 41


2014 Honda Civic Hybrid - Standard Exterior Features

- Roof-Mounted Antenna

- Security System with Remote Entry and Trunk Release

- Smart Entry System

- Body-Colored Power Side Mirrors including Expanded View Driver's Mirror

- Heated Side Mirrors

- Variable Intermittent Windshield Wipers

- Body-Colored Decklid Spoiler

- Impact-Absorbing Body-Colored Bumpers

- Multi-Reflector Halogen Headlights with Auto-On/Off

- Body-Colored Door Handles

Interior

The interior of the 2014 Honda Civic sees a few visual adjustments and gets some pretty awesome new equipment options. A new Display Audio system adds a 7-inch touchscreen and HondaLink capability. An Expanded View drivers mirror gives you a better look at the cars behind and around you, and helps you to avoid collisions.

The Civic Hybrid is available in four trims with differing interior options. The standard car features all of the equipment listed below, while the Navi model adds a navigation unit to the car. A Leather trim level gives the Hybrid supple leather across the seats and few interior trim pieces. The final trim level is a Leather and Navi model that combines all the equipment between the two models.

2014 Honda Civic Hybrid - Interior Dimensions

Headroom (in, front/rear)

39.0 / 37.1

Legroom (in, front/rear)

42.0 / 36.2

Shoulder Room (in, front/rear)

56.6 / 53.3

Hiproom (in, front/rear)

50.5 / 51.4

Cargo Volume (cu ft)

10.7

Passenger Volume (cu ft)

94.6

Seating Capacity

5


2014 Honda Civic Hybrid - Standard Interior Features

- Automatic Climate Control

- i-MID with 5-Inch LCD Screen and Customizable Feature Settings

- Honda LaneWatch™

- Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®

- SMS Text Message Function

- Push Button Start

- Beverage Holders (Front)

- Center Console with Sliding Armrest and Storage Compartment

- Door-Pocket Storage Bins (front/rear)

- Passenger-Side Seatback Pocket

- Coin Tray

- Remote Fuel Filler Door Release

- Remote Trunk Release with Lock

- Headlights-On Reminder

- Driver's Seat with Manual Height Adjustment

- Adjustable Front Seat-Belt Anchors

- Reclining Front Seatbacks

- Adjustable Head Restraints

- 160-Watt AM/FM/CD Audio System with 6 Speakers

Drivetrain

The core of the new 2014 Honda Civic Hybrid is its Integrated Motor Assist IMA system. IMA combines a 1.5-liter engine together with a small electric motor that is mounted between the engine and the transmission. Together these two motors create a total of 110 horsepower.

The only transmission choice for the Civic Hybrid is a fuel-economy-maximizing CVT.

2014 Honda Civic Hybrid - Drivetrain Specifications

Engine Type

In-Line 4-Cylinder

Engine Block/Cylinder Head

Aluminum-Alloy

Displacement (cc)

1497

Horsepower @ rpm (Combined: engine (SAE net) + electric motor)

110 @ 5500

Torque (lb-ft @ rpm, combined engine (SAE net) + electric motor)

127 @ 1000-3500

Redline (rpm)

6000

Bore and Stroke (mm)

73 x 89.4

Compression Ratio

10.8:1

Valve Train

8-Valve SOHC i-VTEC®

Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) Battery

Output (kW)

20

Voltage

144

Volume (Liters)

16

Electric Motor

Permanent Magnet Motor

Horsepower @ rpm

23 @ 1546-3000

Horsepower @ rpm

78 @ 500-1546

Torque (lb-ft @ rpm)

108V - 172V


Prices

Model

Price

Fuel Consumption

Civic Hybrid Sedan CVT

$24,635

44/47/45

Civic Hybrid Sedan Navi CVT

$26,135

44/47/45

Civic Hybrid Sedan w/ Leather CVT

$25,835

44/47/45

Civic Hybrid Sedan w/ Leather Navi CVT

$27,335

44/47/45


Competitors

Toyota Prius C

The Toyota Prius C is the smaller more frugal Prius made to bring the brand into a cheaper market. With a starting price of less than $19,000 dollars, it handily trumps the starting price of the Civic Hybrid. With a EPA-rated 53 mpg in the city, it beats the Honda on fuel economy as well.

Ford C-Max Hybrid

The Ford C-Max is a near even match for the new Civic Hybrid. They both have prices near the $25,000 mark, they both use continuously variable transmissions, and the both get 47 mpg. To decide between these two will likely come down to taste. The C-Max does have a larger cargo area, but many buyers still shy away from the hatchback shape. The standard sedan form could be the trump card for the Civic.

Conclusion

The Honda Civic Hybrid is in an odd place in the market. The Civic is the best-selling compact car in the U.S., but after a rocky 2012, the name lost some trust with fans and owners. Now the new Hybrid looks to right all the wrongs of the old Civic while providing increased fuel economy.

Unfortunately, the pricing has put the Civic Hybrid in the same bracket as the Prius, Optima Hybrid and the Ford Fusion Hybrid. All three are bigger than the Civic, and offer better equipment options than the Civic. That makes for one tough sell.