The Honda Civic Hybrid is a compact sedan that was produced for the 2003 – 2015 model years.
It offers good fuel economy, a composed and comfortable ride, and a roomy cabin.
In this article, we’ll be taking a look at all of the best and worst model years of the Civic Hybrid.
Table of Contents
Here’s The Short Answer To What The Best And Worst Years For The Honda Civic Hybrid Are:
The best Honda Civic Hybrid model years are 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2010. The worst model years of the Civic Hybrid are 2006, 2007, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, and 2009. This is based on auto industry reviews, NHTSA statistics, reported problems, and consumer feedback.
What Are The Best Years For The Honda Civic Hybrid?
2015 Honda Civic Hybrid
The 2015 Civic Hybrid is the final hybrid model produced, it is also the most refined and modern.
It offers smooth and fuel-efficient performance a spacious interior, and good safety scores.
It’s powered by a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder mated to a single electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack that in total produces 110 horsepower.
According to the EPA, this model can achieve 45 MPG for combined driving, which is slightly above average for the hybrid compact sedan segment.
Owners appreciate this Civic Hybrid for the following aspects: engine, transmission, reliability, fuel efficiency, and value for money.
- Edmunds: 4.3 / 5.0
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.5 / 5.0
2015 Civic Hybrid, Edmunds review:
“ … Honda Civic does a great job across the board. Acceleration is not bad. The car is smooth and quiet. Steering is soft and precise. Lots of features are standard. I love the two tier dash and Navi Assist. Interior is spacious and looks good. Excellent visibility all around. If you are looking for a work horse for a long commute with a smooth, quiet and comfortable ride this is the car you want to consider. Yes, excellent MPG that nobody else can beat.”
2014 Honda Civic Hybrid
The 2014 Civic Hybrid is the penultimate model for the Civic’s hybrid lineup.
It is spacious, fuel-efficient, reliable, and adequately equipped with much-needed safety features and entertainment tech.
Based on owners’ reviews, the highlights of this model include comfort, ride quality, interior, driving experience, appearance, and fuel economy.
The model secured a 4-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.
This model comes in 6 different exterior colors and 2 interior colors.
- Edmunds: 4.5 / 5.0
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.5 / 5.0
2014 Civic Hybrid, Edmunds review:
“My wife and I both love driving this car! It’s a smooth quiet ride and has a very comfortable, and nice looking, interior and we love the exterior look too. We bought it almost two months ago and have over 3000 miles on it. We had a 1600 mile trip to Canada with it. We averaged 47 mpg for the entire trip…”
2013 Honda Civic Hybrid
The 2013 Civic Hybrid, coming off of a major redesign for the 2012 model year, also received a number of update too.
Highlights include exterior design upgrades, added standard safety equipment, a quieter ride, and better interior materials.
Paired to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), this model is equipped with a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and electric motor that produces 110 horsepower.
Combined driving fuel economy is 44 MPG according to the EPA.
Owners love this model for its driving experience, reduced road noise, good handling and steering, and fuel economy.
- Edmunds: 4.3 / 5.0
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.5 / 5.0
2013 Civic Hybrid, Edmunds review:
“The power steering is incredibly smooth and requires practically no effort. Bluetooth sound quality is not great. Peppy even with econo mode engaged. Overall, a great car for the money.”
2012 Honda Civic Hybrid
The 2012 Civic Hybrid entered the market as a fully redesigned compact sedan.
Highlights of major revisions and additions include styling updates to the exterior, slightly improved fuel economy, and more power for certain variants.
Much like its successors and predecessors, this 2012 model is comfortable, composed, fuel-efficient, and spacious, making it a practical compact sedan powered by a hybrid system.
Speaking of its hybrid system, it comes with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and a more powerful electric motor, bringing the total horsepower to 110.
While certain design and equipment elements were not as well-received (which prompted the redesign for the 2013 model year), owners still appreciated this vehicle for its reliability and manufacturing quality.
- Edmunds: 4.4 / 5.0
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.5 / 5.0
2012 Civic Hybrid, Edmunds review:
“If you are on your first mission to buy a hybrid, this article will help you! I started my quest to find the “gas mileage” car I needed by going to a Toyota dealer and driving the famous Prius. After being unimpressed with the style, power and certainly the price, I went back to Honda…”
2011 and 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid
The 2011 and 2010 Civic Hybrid models are practically identical and are reliable choices.
Both models are enjoyable and practical to drive due to their relatively small size and decent enough engine power.
This Civic Hybrid model relies on a gasoline/electric hybrid powertrain (1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine plus a single electric motor) to provide 110 horsepower.
In the transmission department, this model is equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Fuel economy is quite good for its segment. The EPA estimates around 41 MPG for combined driving.
2011 Civic Hybrid:
- Edmunds: 4.0 / 5.0
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.5 / 5.0
2010 Civic Hybrid:
- Edmunds: 4.2 / 5.0
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.5 / 5.0
2011 Civic Hybrid, Edmunds review:
“I bought this car new back in 2011 and have a little over 90,000 miles on it now. Other than the passenger air bag recall (which was free), I’ve had exactly ZERO non-scheduled visits to the dealer, nothing but regularly scheduled services. This car has done multiple 3,000 mile road trips in summer across the California and Arizona deserts and winter, including blizzards (which I wouldn’t advise no matter what you’re driving). This car has always been dependable…”
Consumer Scores For Best Honda Civic Hybrid Years
| Model Year | Edmunds Consumer Rating | Kelley Blue Book Consumer Rating |
| 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid | 4.3 / 5.0 | 4.5 / 5.0 |
| 2014 Honda Civic Hybrid | 4.5 / 5.0 | 4.5 / 5.0 |
| 2013 Honda Civic Hybrid | 4.3 / 5.0 | 4.5 / 5.0 |
| 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid | 4.4 / 5.0 | 4.5 / 5.0 |
| 2011 Honda Civic Hybrid | 4.0 / 5.0 | 4.5 / 5.0 |
| 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid | 4.2 / 5.0 | 4.5 / 5.0 |
Related: 6 Most Common Honda Civic Hybrid Problems (Explained)
What Are The Worst Years For The Honda Civic Hybrid?
2006 and 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid
The 2006 Civic Hybrid, based on online stats, is the most problematic model year ever produced.
In fact, it was given a “Beware of the Clunker” demerit by CarComplaints.com due to a faulty engine (does not shut off when it should) and electrical component malfunctions which have led to severe battery degradation and loss of charge overnight.
These problems were also observed in the 2007 model year which wasn’t far behind in terms of reported complaints.
According to reports, these issues were linked to the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) software update, forcing certain electrical components to stay on and continue to consume battery power.
This has also led to poor fuel economy, a sharp reduction in power output and acceleration, and vehicle stalling.
Below is a report that explains the issue from the perspective of an owner:
“The contact owns a 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the integrated motor assist light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the hybrid battery was deteriorating. A new software system was installed in order to save the battery. The failure continued and the contact also stated that the vehicle did not always accelerate once the accelerator pedal was depressed. The failure mileage was 76,000.”
- The 2006 Civic Hybrid had a total of 51 complaints according to CarComplaints.com and 258 problems based on CarProblemZoo.com data.
- The 2007 Civic Hybrid had a total of 36 complaints according to CarComplaints.com and 224 problems based on CarProblemZoo.com data.
Common problems:
- Airbags and seatbelt exploded
- Premature wear
- Hybrid system dies while driving
- Uneven and frequent wear on rear tires
- Hybrid system loses power
2007 Civic Hybrid
2003, 2004, and 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid
Numerous owners of the 2003, 2004, and 2005 models of the Civic Hybrid suffered from a series of transmission-related issues, including vehicle shuddering, non-responsive shifting, and ultimately, complete transmission failure.
The persistence of these transmission issues have also affected other systems of the vehicle, reducing acceleration, triggering occasional vehicle stalling, and electronic component failure.
Below is a report that shows how unpredictable and accident-prone this kind of issue may lead to:
“I feel a big jerk when decelerating my car from 70 miles per hour with my foot off the gas pedal. There has been no accident but I feel that if the car breaks down as a result of this jerk or if the jerk is strong enough, then I may run into some accident. The problem is intermittent. I took the car to the Honda dealer, but the problem didn’t happen during the test drive. A lot of people are having the same issue with this model. It looks like a manufacturing defect. Car detail: Honda Civic Hybrid 2003. It’s an ongoing problem.”
- The 2003 Civic Hybrid had a total of 47 complaints according to CarComplaints.com and 194 problems based on CarProblemZoo.com data.
- The 2004 Civic Hybrid had a total of 30 complaints according to CarComplaints.com and 113 problems based on CarProblemZoo.com data.
- The 2005 Civic Hybrid had a total of 21 complaints according to CarComplaints.com and 92 problems based on CarProblemZoo.com data.
Common problems:
- IMA warning light is on
- Catalytic converter failure
- Transmission stopped working
- Battery keeps dying
- Vehicle shudders when braking or accelerating
- Transmission will not engage
- Broken driver plate
2003 Civic Hybrid
2008 and 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid
The 2008 and 2009 Civic Hybrid mark a return to electrical system issues, albeit at a lesser occurrence than their predecessors (the 2006 and 2007 models).
Owners have frequently cited issues with the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system which is essentially in charge of the hybrid capabilities of the vehicle.
Owners have observed the IMA light coming on frequently which indicates that the hybrid battery either has a problem or does not possess sufficient capacity to perform as it is supposed to.
The report below expresses the frustrations of owners who suffer from this issue:
“After years of poor performance with this hybrid, I discovered that my ima battery was going bad. Honda had some recalls where they installed a new software update, but it did nothing. As a Honda hybrid owner, I bought a hybrid because I felt like it was the patriotic thing to do and hoped that the benefit would be greater gas mileage. As it turns out, it costs more initially than a regular civic, is no better than a regular civic on gas mileage and the ima replacement runs around $3500. If my battery dies on a dark highway I’m stuck because even though the performance is no better than a regular civic, I have to have that ima for it to run. Really feel scammed and at risk.”
- The 2008 Civic Hybrid had a total of 43 complaints according to CarComplaints.com and 181 problems based on CarProblemZoo.com data.
- The 2009 Civic Hybrid had a total of 21 complaints according to CarComplaints.com and 69 problems based on CarProblemZoo.com data.
Common problems:
- Abnormal tire wear
- Excessive wear and tear on tires
- Poor gas mileage
- Uncomfortable seats
- Lost all power while driving
- Front bumper cover comes off
2009 Civic Hybrid
Related: 14 Best & Worst Honda Civic Years (With Facts & Statistics)
What Years Have The Most Complaints?
| Model Year | Complaints (CarComplaints.com) | Problems (CarProblemZoo.com) | Recalls (NHTSA.gov) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| 2014 Honda Civic Hybrid | 4 | 7 | 0 |
| 2013 Honda Civic Hybrid | 3 | 10 | 0 |
| 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid | 9 | 18 | 1 |
| 2011 Honda Civic Hybrid | 5 | 1 | 6 |
| 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid | 12 | 17 | 6 |
| 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid | 21 | 69 | 5 |
| 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid | 43 | 181 | 4 |
| 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid | 36 | 224 | 5 |
| 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid | 51 | 258 | 7 |
| 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid | 21 | 92 | 6 |
| 2004 Honda Civic Hybrid | 30 | 113 | 6 |
| 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid | 47 | 194 | 6 |
What Problems Do Honda Civic Hybrids Have?
- Transmission stopped working
- Uneven tire wear
- IMA warning light is on
- Catalytic converter failure
- Airbags and seatbelt exploded
- Premature wear
- Hybrid system dies while driving
- Hybrid system power loss
- Poor gas mileage
- Battery prematurely dies
- Vehicle shudders when braking or accelerating
What Are The Best Alternatives To The Honda Civic Hybrid?
| Make & Model | Score | MSRP | Fuel Economy (MPG) |
| Toyota Avalon Hybrid | 8.1 | $18,108 – $18,361 | City: 40 /Highway: 39 |
| Honda CR-Z | 8.0 | $13,398 – $15,581 | City: 31 – 36 /Highway: 38 – 39 |
| Toyota Prius C | 7.9 | $13,685 – $14,721 | City: 53 /Highway: 46 |
| Ford Fusion Energi | 7.8 | $13,184 – $13,877 | City: 40 /Highway: 36 |
| Kia Optima Hybrid | 7.8 | $11,744 – $13,909 | City: 35 – 36 /Highway: 39 – 40 |
| Ford C-Max Hybrid | 7.7 | $11,407 – $12,823 | City: 42 /Highway: 37 |
| Chevrolet Volt | 7.6 | $12,775 | City: 35 /Highway: 40 |
| Toyota Prius Plug-In | 7.5 | $18,511 – $21,544 | Electric: 95 /Gas: 50 |
| Ford C-Max Energi | 7.3 | $12,627 | City: 40 /Highway: 36 |
| Ford Focus Electric | 7.2 | $8,063 | City: 110 /Highway: 99 |
| Honda Civic Hybrid | 7.1 | $15,080 – $16,726 | City: 44 /Highway: 47 |
Source: cars.usnews.com, edmunds.com
Related: 6 Most Common Honda Civic Problems (Explained)
References
https://www.caranddriver.com/honda/civic
https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/honda/civic-hybrid
https://www.edmunds.com/honda/civic/2015/hybrid/
https://www.kbb.com/honda/civic/2015/hybrid-sedan-4d/
https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2015/honda/civic-hybrid
https://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Civic_Hybrid/
https://www.carproblemzoo.com/honda/civichybrid/
https://www.cars.com/research/honda-civic_hybrid/recalls/
