I would absolutely love a manual auto-stop button. The biggest challenge to mpg is often those pesky non-hybrid drivers, who like to come to a stop well before a light then slowly creep forward until I'm sitting 1-2 car lengths behind them. If I could bump up and hit the auto-stop again, that could work wonders. Maybe require 5-10 seconds of being stopped before it functions, I assume there's some safety concern with it functioning as it does now.

I woudl say there should be a way to control the aggressiveness of the assist, with modes to allow more assist (such as going up short hills, or passing on the freeway), or less assist (big hill climbs... also, this mode should not "force charge" as that sabotages mileage going uphill, it should simply withhold any additional boost once the battery gets low) Finally, I'd say change the way cruise control works so that instead of simply changing the throttle position, it locks in a throttle position, then uses assist and regen to control speed. As is the cruise control manages slightly worse fuel economy than I can get manually, but if it were set up as described it would be a huge boost for steady highway driving.

I'd like to start with a hearty congratulations for designing the cars we all love!

My pet peeves would be:

1) ECON button. Would be nice if the A/C could stay on while the engine is off.

2) More reliable gas guage. This one fluctuates a lot when it gets to low levels, from three bars to zero bar. Goes up and down.

3) Acceleration. Would be nice if it had acceleration equal to the Civic EX.

Wow...I wish I'd seen this thread earlier...hopefully, our Honda engineer is still reading ?

Since I own a 7th-gen Accord (and have owned 3 other Accords (2 new) and a CRX (also new)), I'll limit my comments to that carline...

First, the gauge cluster (main):
- Headlamps 'on' indicator too high up - steering wheel can block view. This can a problem, given the Accord's cluster lighting, to be able to tell if the headlamps are on. Kudos for creating the lamp; brickbat for placement. BTW - put the 'brights' and the (regular) 'on' indicators in the same general area.
- No 'low washer fluid' indicator as on CDN model - hey, people in the northern US get snow, too! How much would this cost to incorporate on a per-car basis ?
- Cruise Control - why do we need two separate lights, one to show 'armed', and the other when it's actually engaged ? Wasted space / function. My 6th-gen EXVL coupe didn't use two lights - why should this one ?
- (Minor, but it bugs me) - Given that the 80mph mark is the midpoint of the speedo, *why* is the number off-center ? The hash is on-center; so should the number be as well (btw, you improved this from 6th-gen - it was so far off there, as to be laughable)
- Parking Brake 'on' indicator could use a more prominent place, for those who use their parking brake (being console-mounted is fantastic - please do not EVER change this).
- While we're on the subject of brake lights, why not put the ABS, TCS, and Brake indicators all together ?
- Door / Trunk monitor center - perhaps adding a 'lamp out' indicator for brake / turn signal lamps (headlamps also ?)
Instrument Gauges:
Fuel indicator - I'd like to see a more precise gauge with fewer 'hot' areas; the way smaller amount of time / distance occurs before the gauge jumps from 5/8 to 1/2 and 3/8 to 1/4 are a bit annoying, given the smooth linear, constant travel in the other ranges.
Temp gauge - Numeric markings ? I know this isn't standard for Honda, but I've always wanted this. Barring this, a more prominent hash for the 'normal' range (perhaps the 'cold' / 'hot' ranges, too ?)
- As lakedude mentioned, having the trip / maint reset button function as the 'change display / trip' button can be scary to use
- As Xcel alluded to - an instantaneous real-time meter in *every* Honda / Acura - across the entire lineup, irrespective of trim level (and outside of the Navi upgrade). Honda builds the best mass-produced engines in the world, has always been concerned with / been leaders in FE/performance ratios, and the engineers have stated that they wish US CAFE *would* be raised, because they could easily exploit the F/E aspects of the engines - especially the K- and L- series. Use this to your advantage, and help train people to get better F/E from the cars.
- Not a complaint - I know there was hot debate about even including the IMA lightshow on the Accord Hybrid. We're glad the display was incorporated. Really glad. Thank you.
- I don't like the 'auto stop' indicator flashing. Steady 'on' or a slower flash rate / cycle (2 'on', one 'off') would be an improvement
- While we're on the subject of auto stop, let's redo the 3rd-gen IMA logic to allow shutdown at speeds higher than 8mph. 15-20 would be nice. Right now, it's practically useless. Include logic for amount of time of brake depress, along with amount of pedal travel to ascertain if the driver is 'really' stopping.
- Also on IMA - when putting the car in park, do we really have to restart the engine ? (this may be a limitation of the 5AT in the car; if so, I understand, because I can already tell it's bad to shut the car off in N, then shift to P w/ the car off - you hear a metallic clunk / grind when restarting the car, if you do this). A pause before actually having IMA restart the engine, so as not to use fuel / drain the battery pack would be nice. From a logic standpoint, if you're moving the gearshift into P, you're planning on not moving, and shutting down the car ?

Non-gauge related (in no exact order of preference, except where indicated):
- 'Mist' wiper setting - WHY did you change the wiper control for the 7th-gen ? To wit - up through 2002, having the wipers on 'delay' still allowed you to use the 'mist' setting w/o taking the wipers out of 'delay' mode. Now, with the current car, that isn't possible. This is the biggest ergonomic regression with the car. I know you wanted to be like Toyota and Nissan with the wiper stalk, but from my perspective, this is unconscionable. You've *decreased* usability (and to some extent, safety).
- Why does the sunroof control button continue to be on the lower driver's side of the dash, instead of it's rightful place in the upper roof console, or at least in the center of the dash, where both front seat passengers could access it ? Again, endemic to Hondas, but I can see certain things changing - make this happen for the '08 model.
- Navi TC (Accord Hybrid) - make the indicator reading in 5mpg increments, not 10mpg increments. Yes, I know you'll have to go back to Alpine for this. Do this. Also, make the max reading 100mpg, because I can (occasionally) peg it at 80mpg now, on level ground, during cruise (not decel - anyone can do that).
- While you're talking to Alpine, have them make that system boot faster. Waiting 30sec for that thing to get to the acknowledgement screen, where you can finally activate the 'info' and 'climate' controls, is troublesome (not to mention recognition of voice commands, for those who use them).
- Make the 'audio'' and 'A/C' functions 'command-eligible', as they are for the 'map' and 'information' commands. If not, redo the center stack so as to be canted slightly toward the driver (like in the TL). It's a bit of a reach for those two buttons, and I use them numerous times during my commute.
- Make the window lifts 'command-eligible', for all 4 windows.
- Door hinges - can we please make these stay open a bit easier, w/o having to open it to the 2nd detent ? I'm pretty tired of having the door close on me as I'm starting to get out of the car - especially with items in my hands. So are my passengers.
Transmission:
- Gear selector - let's end the practice of allowing 'passive' shift into D3. Plenty of people have driven miles before realizing the car wasn't in top gear. Make this 'active', where a button, etc, has to be depressed before shifting down. Yes, we know you intended (and even encourage) us to downshift if needed (not that we ever need to, with the J-series
- 3-2 kickdown, where you wind up depressing the throttle farther, then having the car lurch when it goes down an extra gear. Fix this already - I've been putting up with it since my '86 Accord.
Utility - Make the rear seatback fold down again.
- Steering wheel audio controls - make the channel up/down selector move through more than the 6 presets / band. Especially on XM, when using the 'category' or 'channel' modes. I'd like to scroll through the entire range of channels with this button (w/o having to continually talk to the Navi to do so).

Finally, some engineering questions for you(r team):

- With regard to VCM, and the 'ECO' light in the dash - when the ECO light is on, does that mean that the engine is in VCM, without fail, or just that the 'engine is in it's most efficient operating' range, per the owner's manual ? (45-65 is generally the most efficient range for an Otto-cycle engine anyway, from what I understand; thus, the semantics.) Car&Driver stated in their overview back in Nov-Dec that it was definitively an indicator of 3-cylinder mode, while there's no communication from Honda about it other than what I quoted above (and I've been to hondanews.com to get the technology highlights of the powertrain, as well as acquiring a copy of the service manual for the car).

Now...you may think, that with all of the points I bring up above, that I'm not happy with the car. Quite the contrary - I think it's the best Honda - make that best car, from an engineering and amenities standpoint, that I've ever owned. The car continues to lead its class in 'value for money' (and I've shopped the TL before buying the last two Accords, and pretty much everything in the $30-35K price range before buying this one). You asked us how to improve on the car, especially from the instrument panel - this is what I'd do to it.

BTW - tell the stylists - nice treatment on the rear for the MMC. However, more's needed in the front than the JDM-Inspire fascia, I'm afraid.

Mark

Sometimes we could all use a little less

My hybrid automobiles:

Current:
2006 Honda Civic Hybrid (CVT, w/o Nav)
Magnetic Pearl / Blue - 008661, born 12/28/05
Mods: Neck pillows, Garmin C330 Nav, Draw-tite 1.25" hitch (for bikes, not towing!), Pioneer Inno XM receiver via Aux jack, OEM mud flaps, more to come!

Hypermiler status on 3/12/06 @ 3077mi.

Previous:
2005 Honda Accord Hybrid (5AT/Navi)
Desert Mist / Ivory - 001254
Retired 1/21/06 - LMPG 34.1

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I agree about the ECON button, in AZ, I would like to have the A/C run on the battery instead of having to hit the ECON button. I actually like the Gauge the way it is. It is simple and isn't too distracting. I like the fact the Honda Civic Hybrid is just like a Civic. I had a 93 Civic and loved it. I also wish there was a remote release on the Key Fob for the Trunk. I miss this option.

A sunroof would also be nice

Bill

From the Valley of the Sun. -Phoenix, AZ

'04 HCH owner here

• electric only mode for creeping in traffic without having the ICE kick back in.
• fold down back seat, as we have all said
• angle the stereo down so it's not washed out by sunlight coming in the windshield.
• leather as an option. I had it done aftermarket, but would have liked to had the option from Honda.
• Move the **** 12v socket from behind where the Big Gulp sits. And add another 12v outlet in the console, we all need more than one these days.

Hiram
04 Honda Civic Hybrid
98 Jeep Grand Cherokee (sailboat tow vehicle)

2004 HCH owner, responding with comments not necessarily limited to the instrument panel, which is generally asethetically pleasing:

1) The stereo sucks. I had a 1996 honda civic, and I remember thinking the stereo (cd player, speakers) was decent in it. I don't think this is just my imagination: but if I'd had known how crappy the stereo was going to be in my 2004 HCH, I might have e-bay-ed a Prius with the JBL soundsystem. Seriously. Honda needs to take note of the Scion 160-watt sound system approach to attract younger buyers. I'm not young, but I like music. An integrated ipod control a la BMW would be appreciated. Bluetooth would be appreciated as well.

2) There's no trunk release on the remote control, which didn't seem like a big deal when I bought the car, until I was stuck in a RENTAL CAVALIER, which was a turd of a car, and it had a remote trunk release.

3) Someone said to "Move antenna to front windshield." I currently have a crack in my windshield, so I appreciate that it's not there now. Though the placement of the antenna interferes with roof-mounted bike racks somewhat.

4) Same person said: "Have the MPG display read out every tenth instead of skipping 3 or 4 tenths." I don't know exactly what algorithm it runs on, but it could be better in terms of accuracy, I agree.

5) AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE GAUGE. I know it's an economy car and all -- but how much more could that really add to the cost of the car. Don't Jettas and beetles have them these days?

6) Same person also asked for "A seperate (3rd) unresetable lifetime mpg screen would be cool." I quite concurr.

7) I agree with the need for a sun roof option. I don't like the idea of a dealer installed sunroof, but might wind up with one if I didn't think I might trade my 04 for an 06, depending on whether I can deal with the length of the hood-line or not.

8) There's other things I wouldn't mind seeing, and if I knew the Honda guy was still lurking here, I'd go into them as well.

I love my HCH '06, but I do have a few criticisms (in common with many already mentioned here).

Peeves:
1. Lack of fold down back seats
2. Lack of sun/moonroof option
3. Blind spot in front right side (noticeable when parking)
4. Terrible voice recognition
5. Noisy interior takes in a lot of street noise

Hmmm, I had to think hard on this one as I'm the first Toyota Prius listed...

CONS:
1. Can't add (pick & choose) pkgs/options.
2. blind spots to the rear corners, The Pontiac aztek, Buick Revedous have the same issue.
3. No sirius sat radio.
4 should have gotten leather, easyer to clean than the ivory cloth.
5. cloth on the door & center console arm rests.
6. no spoiler/body kits from the factory.(doesn't take away from fuel but doesn't add either just looks cool.!
7. can't go over 30mph on EV with out the ICE kicking in.
8. costs more than the Hybrid Civic.

PROS:
1. A/C runs on electric w/auto air.
2. Leather is an option
3. 6 disc cd/jbl 150w stereo.
4. hatch back w/foldflat rear seats.
5. Base model #1 has: criuse, stereo w/cd, pwr windows & locks, keyless entry, can run 87 octane fuel, ac,radio and defrost on the steering wheel, 2 d/c outlets & lots of storage spaces, dual airbags.
6. Side curtain airbags.
7. Keyless start.
8. Rear camera.
9. Lots of other useless toys, err, I mean options on the pricey #7 & 8 models.
10. Looks small on the outside, but roomy like a midsized car on the inside.
11. Manual EV switch, lets you run EV longer with out ICE kicking in. (you have to add this, its pre-wired just have to install the button).
Well thats about it....

04' # 5, W/leather & JBL omitted.
"Prius, Just ask the person that drives one"
04' Tundra, 18mpg city & 22mpg hwy.
04' Prius, 60mpg city & 53mpg hwy.

Kenstyle NHW20 AERO Kit

My only Real gripe about The 2003 Civic Hybrid is this: When I come to a stoplight, the engine stops (good); but if I have to inch up a few feet, the engine turns back on and keeps running.