Driving the 2003 Civic Hybrid is a dream: pure Honda. You get quiet, comfort, and the best fuel economy around. Ushering in a new era of high efficiency transportation, the Honda Civic Hybrid has the second generation Honda Integrated Motor Assist technology. Originally debuting on the

Honda Insight in 1999, the IMA system uses a gasoline engine and a electric motor (hence: hybrid), boosting performance and fuel economy.

We had the pleasure of trying out the 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid around town as well as on the highway. We drove from Chicago to Detroit and back in the Hybrid and other than being blown around a tad during a windy ride, had an enjoyable 600+ mile drive. The Hybrid was quiet, comfortable and terribly efficient! We know we could have driven the 300-some miles to Detroit on one tank of gasoline, but elected to fill-up when down three-quarters of a tank. Same for the ride back to Chicago.

Our 4-door Civic Sedan came equipped with quite a few goodies to make it feel less like a compact vehicle and more like its big brother the Accord. Standard equipment includes a 93 horsepower, 1.3-liter-I-DSI SOHC, 4-cylinder engine, front disc brakes and anti-lock brakes, driver/passenger front airbags, automatic climate control system, electronic instrument panel with fuel mileage computer, Tachometer and IMA system indicator, AM/FM/CD stereo with anti-theft feature, 4 speakers, driver’s folding armrest, cruise, power windows/door locks, variable intermittent wipers, dual vanity mirrors, 12 volt accessory socket, cupholders,, rear spoiler and 14-inch tires, among other goodies.

The MSRP on our Civic Hybrid was $20,550, with a total vehicle price of $21,099 (including dealer-installed option, floor mats ($89). Destination was $460. It seemed high to be paying over $20,000 for a Hybrid vehicle, but one knows they will get their money’s worth in a Ho nda. The Hybrid will more than pay for itself in what you’ll save in gasoline. Mileage is 48 city mpg/47 highway mpg. Our system was registering 47 mpg for most of our ride to Detroit.

When the driver brakes or decelerates in the Hybrid, the energy is recaptured by the electric motor and stored in the battery for later use. As you accelerate, the energy is directed to the high torque electric motor to supplement engine performance. When you’re at a light, the car is virtually silent (idle stop feature). Almost an eerie thing, you’d think the car turned off on you. All of the above is automatic, of course, without any input from the driver. The nicest thing is that this Hybrid does not need to be plugged in and re-energized. Rather, the electrical system is completely self-sustaining.

When designing and refining the Civic Hybrid, Honda had as its goals: 1) achieve the highest levels of fuel economy for a 5-passenger sedan; 2) provide a refined driving experience with good performance; 3) be as easy-to-use as any conventional automobile. It would appear they have achieved these goals, and then some. With fuel economy at almost 50 mpg, Honda has married the Insight’s technology and a comfortable sedan.

The Civic Hybrid went on sale in all states except California in April of ’02 as a 2003 model. California will get it January of ’03. Honda hopes to sell 2,000 units per month of the Super Ultra Low Emission version of the Civic. The Civic is the second Honda vehicle to make use of this technology since 1999 when it debuted in the Insight.

Honda offers 10 Civic models and trim levels in sedan, coupe and hatchback styles, including Civic Si hatchback, Civic sedan (DX, LX, EX, GX, Hybrid), Civic coupe (DX, LX, EX, HX), and the Civic GX, a natural gas-powered Civic sold to fleets.