SecondHandSense:LEXUS AND Toyota are the car makes people most associate with hybrid engine technology, but they are not the only ones offering the combination of conventional and electrically-powered engines.
Honda has been offering this alternative for some time but only recently has it had a mainstream model - the Civic - with a hybrid engine.
The Civic has always been a popular car, if expensive. The Honda range has always carried a premium and its production volume has traditionally been small. The Civic hybrid launched two years ago has a modern and clean design but the slightly futuristic interior made some Honda traditionalists a little nervous, especially as they might have been dealing with the hybrid concept for the first time. As a second-hand proposition now, it is a good deal less intimidating.
The car has a 1.4-litre petrol engine that is silent when operating on electricity and slightly harsh when using petrol. It is a pleasant car to drive, but there is a hard ride feedback. It is very good around town, and on longer journeys. Economy is a strong point because of the electric back-up in city driving. It is comfortable up front, but the back can be quite cramped.
With Honda's reliability record, it is not surprising to find there are no major recalls, but it is equally surprising to see it achieved only a four-star rating out of a possible five in the EuroNCAP crash test programme. This is because the frontal impact structures in the dashboard presented a potential hazard to the driver and front seat passenger.
When it comes to pricing the car second-hand there are problems because of the relative rarity of the car. A 2006 model with 56,000km up is on offer for €22,750. A 2007 model with 16,000km is on offer for €26,900. These prices are high and do not represent keen value for a car of this size.