I drove a 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid for two months and effortlessly achieved 51 MPG.

I drove a 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid for two months and effortlessly achieved 51 MPG.

      Jerry Perez

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      Although vehicles have become larger and heavier over the years, numerous fuel-efficient options are available that are budget-friendly. You can find choices in gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid categories, though the latter tends to be pricier. Nevertheless, car buyers have plenty of options. Personally, my top pick—and I genuinely mean that—would be the 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid if I were in the market for a new car.

      In the last 13 months, we've evaluated the Civic Hybrid twice, referring to it as a “Prius Hater” after testing a prototype last June. In March, we recognized it as a “Top Choice” following a week-long evaluation in the cold Canadian winter. Both tests were relatively short—merely snapshots compared to a true ownership experience. So, why not see how it performs over a couple of months?

      The Honda Civic doesn't require an introduction. This well-known sedan continues to be one of the best-selling vehicles in the U.S. It has undoubtedly evolved, matured, and become more sophisticated over the years, but it has also seen an increase in price.

      For 2025, the Sedan Hybrid comes in two trims: Sport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid. The base Sport Hybrid is priced at $30,490, while the top-tier Sport Touring Hybrid is $33,490 (including a $1,195 destination fee). A hatchback model is also available, though it will cost you an additional $1,200. It's important to note that there aren't many options available beyond a few superficial enhancements, so these prices reflect what most customers can expect to pay.

      The prior reviews provide insight into the Civic Hybrid's exterior, interior, and driving performance. Today, my focus will be on its most significant feature: the drivetrain. Its 2.0-liter, four-cylinder hybrid engine, continuously variable automatic transmission, and front-wheel-drive setup enable this comfortable sedan to achieve impressive fuel efficiency.

      Though fuel economy is the primary objective, the battery-assisted four-cylinder engine offers respectable performance. With 200 horsepower available, it's sufficient for merging into traffic and provides just the right amount of fun on winding roads. Additionally, there's 232 lb-ft of torque, giving the Civic Hybrid equivalent horsepower but more torque than the sportier Si. While the engine is tuned differently and uses a CVT instead of a six-speed manual, Honda has successfully infused a level of excitement into the most fuel-efficient Civic.

      My evaluation started with about 330 miles already on this 2025 Civic when it was delivered. After nearly eight weeks of daily use, I accumulated 1,830 miles, bringing the total mileage to 2,166 when I returned it to Honda.

      My goal was to determine the car's real-world fuel economy. This entailed not just city mileage, not just highway mileage, and definitely not hypermiling to hit a predetermined mark. Some days, I hurried through urban errands due to time constraints, while other days were spent cruising to visit family across state lines. And sometimes, I didn’t drive at all because I was relaxing at home. Moreover, throughout the evaluation, I aimed to disregard the fact that I was conducting a test to ensure my results were as accurate and realistic as possible.

      The drivetrain prioritizes battery usage whenever feasible for better fuel efficiency, yet this isn't evident from the driver’s seat. In many hybrid cars, there’s a noticeable and sometimes jarring transition from electric to gasoline power. Typically, when accelerating from a complete stop, the battery powers the front wheels until the gasoline engine engages. However, in the Civic, that transition is exceptionally smooth, resulting in no jolts or clunks felt through the pedals or steering wheel, which is particularly favorable for those prone to motion sickness.

      This seamless operation is due to Honda’s two-motor hybrid system, which debuted in the 2014 Accord and is now in its fourth generation. Without delving into an engineering lecture (since I’m not an expert), I’ll briefly explain the four-part system and its clever functioning.

      First, there’s the electric motor generator that charges the battery. Next, the electric propulsion motor drives the front wheels. Then, the Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine connects to the electric generator/starter motor, acting as a generator to charge the hybrid battery and propulsion motor. One notable feature of the Civic’s efficiency is that the engine can drive the wheels through a lockup clutch, primarily during highway cruising to maximize fuel efficiency. Lastly, the Power Control Unit (PCU) manages the overall operation.

      What’s more surprising is that the battery is also prioritized while driving on the highway, not just in city conditions. I experienced this at speeds up to 75 mph, at which point the tachometer needle dropped to zero, and the battery indicator illuminated. While cruising on the highway with battery power, there’s still enough responsiveness

I drove a 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid for two months and effortlessly achieved 51 MPG. I drove a 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid for two months and effortlessly achieved 51 MPG. I drove a 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid for two months and effortlessly achieved 51 MPG. I drove a 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid for two months and effortlessly achieved 51 MPG. I drove a 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid for two months and effortlessly achieved 51 MPG. I drove a 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid for two months and effortlessly achieved 51 MPG. I drove a 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid for two months and effortlessly achieved 51 MPG. I drove a 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid for two months and effortlessly achieved 51 MPG. I drove a 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid for two months and effortlessly achieved 51 MPG. I drove a 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid for two months and effortlessly achieved 51 MPG. I drove a 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid for two months and effortlessly achieved 51 MPG. I drove a 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid for two months and effortlessly achieved 51 MPG. I drove a 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid for two months and effortlessly achieved 51 MPG. I drove a 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid for two months and effortlessly achieved 51 MPG. I drove a 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid for two months and effortlessly achieved 51 MPG. I drove a 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid for two months and effortlessly achieved 51 MPG. I drove a 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid for two months and effortlessly achieved 51 MPG. I drove a 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid for two months and effortlessly achieved 51 MPG.

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I drove a 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid for two months and effortlessly achieved 51 MPG.

After driving the Honda Civic Hybrid for 1,800 miles, I discovered that it's possible to enjoy the best of both worlds.