Hybrid gas-electric cars have recently been in the news as the government threatens to increase fuel economy standards. Major manufacturers are busy talking about producing hybrid SUVs to help improve their economy. However, just two companies, Honda and Toyota, have actually brought hybrid cars to market.
Honda has gone one better than anyone with the world's first mass-produced hybrid. What's more it's used to power the most popular subcompact car in America, the Honda Civic.

Many people mistakenly think a hybrid car needs charging like an electric car. Far from it, a hybrid runs on gasoline just like a regular car. What makes the car special is that there is an auxiliary electric motor that works to assist the small gasoline engine when extra power is needed. Honda calls this the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system. In 1999 Honda introduced the first ever hybrid, the Insight, as a specialized hand-built high-tech two-seater car that is still on the market. But it had limited appeal because of its small size.
This should change with the Civic Hybrid with its increased practicality. It is a car that makes sense for owners interested in great fuel economy and low emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency rates the Civic Hybrid at 48/47 mpg on its City/Highway test. The most remarkable thing about this car is that it seems unremarkable: For the most part, driving this gas-electric Civic is just like driving a regular gas-powered Civic.

The Civic Hybrid is part of the 2003 Civic lineup. The Hybrid is only available in two versions, one with a manual transmission that retails for $20,010 and the other with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) for $1,000 more. Both models are based on the upscale EX Civic sedan and come loaded with features. Consequently, there are no factory-installed options available.

At a quick glance the Hybrid does not look that different from a regular Civic sedan. Look closer and several subtle differences set it apart and give it a more upscale appearance. From the front the major difference is a much bigger and deeper spoiler under the front bumper, while at the rear there is a small spoiler along the lip of the trunk. The Hybrid rides on special lightweight alloy wheels. Aside from these three small visual differences the car retains the stylish if conservative lines of the four-door Civic sedan.
If you were to crawl under the car you'd find several differences from the regular car. Namely a cover under the engine as well as under the rear floor. This improves aerodynamics. Honda claims 7 percent of the improvement in fuel economy comes from these aerodynamic changes.

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Even when you open the hood the engine does not look that different from other modern cars where the engine is hidden under a molded plastic cover. Technically inclined people might notice the large bright orange electric cable running from the transmission housing behind the transversely mounted engine and down under the car. This cable connects the thin electric motor, which is sandwiched between the trans-mission and the engine, to the batteries and control module at the back of the car.
Honda's engineers have managed to make the batteries and electronics much more compact than those in the Insight. They are hidden between the back of the rear seat at the front of the trunk. If access is needed it is through a panel in the trunk. Nearly 3 cubic feet of space is lost in the trunk compared to a regular Civic. This drops it from an above average size trunk for its class to one of the smallest, although it is still reasonably useful. Another disadvantage is that the rear seat backs cannot be folded down for increased storage.