Cheapest Hybrid Car to Own | Maintain in Australia
June 27, 2006 by Alborz Fallah
The RACV (QLDs RACQ equivalent) has announced the Honda Civic Hybrid as the cheapest hybrid car to own, run and maintain according to their running costs survey.
“The Civic Hybrid costs less to purchase, costs less to run and is worth more after five years, the Civic Hybrid looks just like a regular Civic so is perfect for customers who want to make an ecological difference without sacrificing the comforts of a regular sedan. The Civic Hybrid also starts and runs just like a normal car – just turn the key to start it up and drive as normal.”
“The on-board computer controls the electric motor so the driver doesn’t need to switch it on or off, the Civic Hybrid also gains features normally reserved for top-spec models – such as curtain airbags, climate control air-conditioning and a six-stack CD player.” said Honda Australia Director Lindsay Smalley.
So you might be thinking, what about the Toyota Prius? Well according to the RACV, the Honda Civic Hybrid has a running cost of $169.34 a week compared to the Toyota Prius’ $193.91 weekly cost. The Honda Civic hybrid has been somewhat neglected as a car since its launch in Australia in 2004. Currently it retails for only $32,000 compared to the Toyota Prius which sells for 37,000.
The fuel efficiency of the Toyota Prius is slightly less at 4.4L/100km for combined City and Highway while the Honda Civic Hybrid is 4.6L/100km for the same test. However perhaps one of the important factors to note is that the Toyota gets to 100km/hour in a respectable 10.9 seconds while the Honda Civic Hybrid gets to 100km/hr in 13.4 seconds.
The Civic Hybrid retails from $31,990 (recommended retail price) with the following features:
- 1.3-litre petrol engine paired with an electric motor
- 85 kW (170Nm)
- CVT automatic transmission
- 4.6 litres per 100 kilometres fuel consumption (ADR81/01)
- 15-inch alloy wheels
- Leather steering wheel
- Driver and passenger front i-SRS airbags
- Driver and front passenger side SRS
- Front and rear curtain airbags
- Cruise control
- Front fog lights
- Low rolling resistance 195/65 R15 tyres
- Climate control air conditioning
- 6-stacker MP3/CD tuner
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