Eight years after abandoning the idea, Honda has confirmed that it will offer a new hybrid variant of its 2025 Civic from July. This addition will allow the popular model to improve its energy balance and win over an audience that would have turned by default towards the hybrid Toyota Corolla and Hyundai Elantra, due to lack of compact options.
The Japanese manufacturer is continuing its quest through hybridization and estimates that 60% of Civics sold in Canada will one day be equipped with this engine. To support this projection, Honda will assign this mechanism to the most equipped models which previously had a 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder. The naturally aspirated 2L four-cylinder remains in the catalog for two versions (LX and Sport).
On a technical level, however, we are not reinventing the wheel. The compact will essentially use the engine that powers the Accord and CR-V hybrid, namely a 2L four-cylinder Atkinson cycle supported by an electric motor and a converter group that can support it.
Total power from this hybrid unit is 200 hp and torque peaks at 232 lb-ft. This ensures power equal to that of the Civic Si equipped with a 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder, but with significantly more torque than the latter (40 more lb-ft). The average consumption estimated at 4.8 L/100 km also technically manages to compete with more power with the Corolla and Elantra with hybrid engines which both have an almost identical combined consumption of 4.7 L/100 km.
Honda further specifies that this new livery will benefit from retuned springs and shock absorbers as well as tires specifically designed for the mandate. The first examples with hybrid engines offered will be four-door, while the hybrid hatchback versions will arrive later in the summer.
