Civic Sport Hybrid Wins Car and Driver Small Car Comparison
Big comparison tests have long been the highlight of a car magazine issue, and they are even better when they include vehicles normal people can actually buy. Not that long ago, a $30K test would not have qualified for that last part, but in a time when the average new car price is nearly $50,000, $30,000 becomes the new affordable. The last time Car and Driver held a small car comparison, the Civic won. When they held it this time with a largely different set of competitors, the Civic won again. That could be the end of the story, but Michael Hohl Honda fills you in on some details.
For this comparison, Car and Driver set $30,000 as the target, not necessarily the ceiling. Most of the models they gathered start a few thousand dollars lower, so the $30,000 goal allowed for a model upgrade or two, and the overall as-tested price spread ranged from about $29,000 (Corolla Hatchback) to about $33,000 (Impreza). The Civic Sport Hybrid Hatchback starts at $30,595.*
Car and Driver also opted for hatchbacks where available but included sedans for the Nissan Sentra and VW Jetta. That also meant the Civic was the only hybrid in the group, including the Corolla, since the Corolla hatchback is one of the increasingly rare models Toyota has yet made a hybrid version of. The Subaru Impreza RS and Kia K4 round out the competitors. The Mazda3 hatch is inconspicuous in its absence, but Car and Driver explain that the Mazda was beaten by the Civic in the last test, and neither car has changed much since. Fair enough, but it may have been nice to see where the model would have ended up in the standings. We will briefly summarize what Car and Driver found on each model in the comparison.
6th Place: Nissan Sentra SL
This is the top trim for the recently restyled Sentra, and Car and Driver lauded its quilted faux leather seats, calling them a favorite for sitting in when parked. The car in motion was a different story, as it was the slowest and least fun to drive. Their verdict: “Shines on limited-access highways and when sitting in traffic, less so elsewhere.”
5th Place: Subaru Impreza RS
The Impreza was the only AWD model in this test, since it doesn’t come in any other configuration. The spacious interior was praised. Its 2.5-liter flat-4 engine was the largest in the group but not particularly powerful, with sluggish throttle response and the worst fuel economy. It recorded 12 mpg less than the Civic Hybrid. It wasn’t just the throttle; the center touchscreen was also criticized for slow response. Their verdict: “Sensible will only take you so far in life.”
4th Place: Kia K4 Hatchback GT-Line Turbo
The K4 was the most recently designed model in the group. The roof tapers only slightly toward the rear edge of the car, giving it a distinct wagon appearance. Its turbocharged engine delivered performance second only to the Civic, though turbo lag was apparent. This high-level trim was well-equipped, but judges were surprised by the poor paint quality, going so far as to speculate that it was the result of being an early-build model. Climate controls hidden by the steering wheel were another complaint, as was artificially heavy steering. Verdict: “A sporty-looking hatchback that can’t quite deliver on its looks.”
3rd Place: Toyota Corolla Hatchback FX
With the rear-most pillar bordering the rear door opening, this was the smallest car in the group, with the shortest wheelbase and the lightest curb weight. This contributed to the playful nature of its handling, which was let down by a slow powertrain and relatively cramped quarters for both rear and front passengers. The CVT is unusual in that it has a fixed first gear, which makes its takeoff smoother than other CVT models. Verdict: “Go-fast handling let down by go-slow acceleration.”
2nd Place: Volkswagen Jetta SEL
The Golf GTI is priced too high for this comparison, though if VW still sold conventional Golfs, one would likely have represented the brand here. The Jetta came across as the group’s luxury sedan, with a spacious interior and a very solid feel. They praised the driver-centric cockpit and the smoothness of the 1.5-liter turbo drivetrain, which, while only mid-pack in acceleration, responded only when the 8-speed automatic was set to “S”. Brake and steering feedback were satisfying. Verdict: “The luxury car of the group puts refinement above performance.”
1st Place: Honda Civic Sport Hybrid Hatchback
The Civic had the obvious advantage of being the only hybrid in the group. In addition to its 50 city / 45 highway / 48 combined EPA estimates** and 36 as-tested MPG, soaring far above the rest of the group, it was also the quickest, with a 0-60 time of 6.1 seconds. It scored the highest in four of five powertrain categories and had the highest chassis scores for ride and handling.
The Honda Civic Sport Hybrid Hatchback did the Honda thing of simply doing everything well, earning the highest scores for ergonomics and fit and finish. Their verdict is “Honda succeeds in making us forget that a fun car is a hybrid.” But the article’s concluding sentence is even better: “There’s no hedging or couching or explanation needed: The Honda Civic is the best small car you can buy.”
For over 50 years, the Civic has been winning comparisons like this and has been a must-shop for anyone looking for a small, useful, yet enjoyable car. If you live anywhere in the greater Lake Tahoe area, the place for that must-shop is Michael Hohl Honda in Carson City.
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