2006 HCH First Drive... - GreenHybrid

Mpress · #1 (**permalink**) 09-02-2005, 08:15 PM

Hey everyone,

I browse this forum almost every day. I currently drive a 2000 Honda Accord 4 cyl. which gets me about 26-29 mpg with my lead foot. I plan to upgrade to a 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid as soon as I can. I found a review of the honda civic hybrid. Here's the link:

http://www.autobytel.com/content/sha...cle_id_int/717

They got 47.1 mpg without having to "granny" the car!

Quote:

Honda claims this IMA system can motor along just on the batteries under certain low-load, steady state cruise conditions. But try as we might, we couldn’t detect the engine shutting down at any time during our test drive. Nevertheless, we managed a 47.1-mpg average in a drive that covered two-lane country road, an 80-miles per hour blitz down the freeway, and rush hour city driving. Not bad. And the air conditioning was cranked the entire time. The 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid’s combined power rating is 110 horsepower, and we never felt as though the car lacked verve.

The 2006 HCH goes on sale October 1st, with an MSRP of $21,500.00.

-Mike

kaymack · #2 (**permalink**) 09-02-2005, 08:39 PM

Anyone know if the NAVI adds $2K as it does in the HAH? I assume it's the same NAVI that's in the Accord. I love my NAVI and would definitely get in again if I wind up with a '06 HCH as a second car. It's cool the way that it is integral with the XM radio.

AZCivic · #3 (**permalink**) 09-02-2005, 08:59 PM

The voice activated Navigation is supposed to be a standard feature on the Hybrid, and thus included in the price. I think Honda is staged to put up a FAR better fight against the Prius now. It carries effectively the same highway rating as the Prius, and appears to offer excellent features for the money. Real-world fuel economy will likely be about the same as the Prius, if the Greenhybrid RHMDB is any indicator.

Atomic Frog · #4 (**permalink**) 09-03-2005, 12:23 AM

Cool link Mpress. This is the first review/test drive I've seen of the 2006 HCH...

Wieder · #5 (**permalink**) 09-03-2005, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaymack

Anyone know if the NAVI adds $2K as it does in the HAH? I assume it's the same NAVI that's in the Accord. I love my NAVI and would definitely get in again if I wind up with a '06 HCH as a second car. It's cool the way that it is integral with the XM radio.

The article says it's seperate.

helterskelter683 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-03-2005, 06:02 AM

That's a very cool article. I got more and more excited as I clicked each new page and - GASP - they kept spewing positive things about it. What gives?!?!?!

It does seem like a great car; here's to hoping the media jumps on this gas crisis and uses it as a medium for bringing all the '06 hybrids into the forefront of the public spectacle. There are still so many out there that don't have a clue what companies like Toyota and Honda have been up to for the last 5 years.

aj2086 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-03-2005, 07:28 AM

From what I have seen the 06 HCH has Nav as an Option, so it seems like an added 2k on the 21500. 23500 isnt bad tho, the Prius w/nav is 26500+

sivart · #8 (**permalink**) 09-03-2005, 09:24 AM

very interesting article. I am looking to buy a car (my little truck just can't haul any people) next year on the HCH is on my short list (am also anxious to see more details on the 2007 Altima hybrid). I really like the redesigned look to the car.

The only thing that I don't like is the lack of an analog speedometer. Something about seeing that needle move is just easier to read than watching numbers change.

Going on a 450 mile round trip during thanksgiving and I'm planning on renting a HCH for a week to give it a good test drive.

ken1784 · #9 (**permalink**) 09-03-2005, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Honda claims this IMA system can motor along just on the batteries under certain low-load, steady state cruise conditions. But try as we might, we couldn’t detect the engine shutting down at any time during our test drive.

Such low-load cruising is just fuel-cut and valve-closed mode on the new Civic.

The Honda IMA system is built motor and ICE crank shaft are connected together, therefore ICE is always turning when vehicle is running.

Ken@Japan

tklaus · #10 (**permalink**) 10-19-2005, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken1784

The Honda IMA system is built motor and ICE crank shaft are connected together, therefore ICE is always turning when vehicle is running.

Ken@Japan

I assume there would still be some indication that the ICE has shut down. Maybe an indicator (like the idle stop) or at least the MPG should shoot up to 100 (max), right?