For the third year in a row, Honda’s hybrid powertrain lands a spot on Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems’ list.
And, for the second year in a row, our judges find that the hybrid system in the Civic compact car – the fourth generation of the two-motor powertrain – provides an excellent balance at a reasonable price point, something that’s typically lacking in electrified powertrains.
The Civic’s powertrain uses a 2.0L Atkinson-cycle 4-cyl. that produces 141 hp at 6,000 rpm and 134 lb.-ft. (182 Nm) of torque at 4,500 rpm, supplemented by two motors. The propulsion motor is connected directly to the drive wheels. A generator/starter driven by the engine provides energy to the 1.06-kWh lithium-ion hybrid battery and the propulsion motor.
The system is similar to the side-by-side two-motor setup that won a 10 Best trophy in 2023 in the Accord Hybrid, except that the Civic positions the motors inline for packaging purposes.
Hybrid powertrains usually are calibrated for maximum efficiency, oftentimes resulting in underwhelming performance. Other hybrids lean primarily on their internal-combustion engines with the electric motors providing performance boosts. Yes, they may be quick, but you’ll be fairly quick to the gas station, too.
The Civic Hybrid two-motor system balances those two scenarios.
“This is a total no-compromise powertrain that Honda has perfected,” says 10 Best judge Christie Schweinsberg. “You get plenty of power, but also plenty of fuel efficiency — up to 51 mpg in our judges’ testing. What’s more, this is one of the most accessible powertrains in a new vehicle in the U.S. market today, with the Civic Hybrid starting around $30,000.”
Our judges say what makes the Civic Hybrid a pleasure to drive is that much of the time the powertrain functions like an EV with an electric motor powering the front drive wheels. The motor provides maximum torque from launch, so starts are quick.
The engine is operating, but when the propulsion motor is turning the wheels, the engine is providing energy to the electric generator/starter. That generator/starter recharges the hybrid battery and, depending on need, sends power to the propulsion motor. The generator/starter also functions as the starter for the engine after the idle-stop has occurred.
At times, such as when highway cruising, there is greater efficiency letting the engine drive the wheels, so a lock-up clutch connects the engine directly to the drive wheels. There is no need for a traditional transmission thanks to the propulsion motor’s wide torque band.
As a result, the Civic Hybrid is highly efficient, with EPA numbers at 50/47/49 mpg city/highway/combined (4.7/5.0/4.8 L/100 km). All of our judges hit or exceeded 50 mpg combined without trying.
Judge Dave Zoia summarizes our thoughts on the system’s third straight 10 Best win: “I’m not sure how Honda could ever improve on this. The two-motor hybrid powertrain makes the Civic fun to drive, with plenty of oomph for freeway merging and passing. What’s more, there’s no penalty to be paid on fuel economy, which remains impressive.”
