The Deletion of the Honda Insight Leaves Room for the Civic Hybrid

Honda recently announced a new Civic Hybrid that will arrive as part of the 2024 model year lineup. So far, details are a bit scarce.

The latest version of the Honda Insight was built entirely on the Civic platform. It shared size and style with the venerable Honda, but the Insight was sold entirely as a hybrid car. The Civic hasn’t been a hybrid for quite a while, but one is coming. This new Civic arrives later this year to give u something new for this top-selling compact.

is Honda putting hybrids in all models?

In some ways, it feels like Honda is behind most of the other automakers when it comes to hybrid and electric powertrains. That has to change if Honda will be competitive in the EV market. Most automakers that have transitioned to EVs didn’t forgo developing hybrid and PHEV models first. Honda intends to have an all-EV lineup by 2040, which is later than most automakers. The first step in doing this is to transition the lineup to hybrid models, and the Civic is up for this change.

The hybrid Civic should come in two body styles

The Insight was offered as a sedan, which can easily be absorbed by the Civic lineup. In Europe, a hybrid version of the Civic is already offered. These two factors make it easy for us to see that the Honda Civic Hybrid will be part of our market soon. When it arrives, we’ll see both sedan and hatchback body styles for this new Honda hybrid car. This means you can buy the right body style and enjoy the fuel savings offered by a hybrid powertrain that will come in the new Civic.

Can the new Civic compete with other hybrids?

The compact car market already includes some impressive hybrid models. If the new Civic is to succeed, it will need to hit the same fuel-sipping marks as these other models. Two of the most efficient hybrids in the class are the Toyota Corolla Hybrid and Hyundai Elantra Hybrid. Both of these models reach more than 50 mpg combined in their 2023 models.

Honda’s push for hybrid powertrains should allow the Civic to reach more buyers as a hybrid vehicle. The brand is already set to increase hybrid sales of the Accord and CR-V to 50 percent of the overall sales for those brands. Expect Honda to do the same with the Civic.

Could the powertrain of our hybrid be better than the European model?

Honda has been quiet about the performance numbers for this new Honda Civic Hybrid. The European version uses a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and two electric motors. This setup combines for 181 horsepower. With other hybrid cars reaching higher in the power range, we’re hoping the new Civic hybrid uses the same powertrain found in the Accord hybrid. This model gives us 204 horsepower, which could give this Honda more power than some of the other compact hybrids.

What does the current Honda Civic offer?

The 2023 Honda Civic does what this car has done for generations. It punches higher in the market than compact cars should. This car comes in hatchback and sedan body styles with various performance levels. This car also delivers excellent value, making it one of the most popular cars in the market. If you want serious performance numbers out of this car, the Type R is the way to go. Otherwise, you’ll be glad to have one of the more traditional models that can give you the drive the Civic is known for.

Honda Civic Sport

The LX trim is no longer the base model for the Honda Civic. Its now the Sport model, which offers some excellent features to make this car a great choice. This base model brings you a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to a CVT automatic transmission which delivers 158 horsepower for the drive. If you want to feel a more engaging ride, this system includes paddle shifters to make the CVT feel more like a manual for you.

Some of what you’ll find in the Sport trim includes:

• Automatic on/off LED headlights
• 18-inch gloss-black alloy wheels
• Power side mirrors
• Honda’s Smart Entry
• A Tilt/telescoping steering wheel
• Automatic climate controls
• Push-button starting
• 180-watt/8-speaker audio system
• 7-inch touchscreen
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• SiriusXM satellite radio
• Honda Sensing Safety Suite

Honda Civic EX

You’ll find more of what you want in the Civic EX. This trim level brings you a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that makes 180 horsepower. You still have the CVT to handle the transmission duties in this version. The EX trim is only offered in the sedan body style.

Some features you’ll find in the Civic EX include:

• Heated side mirrors
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Power moonroof
• Heated front seats
• Dual-zone automatic climate controls
• Blind-spot monitoring

Honda Civic EX-L

Moving up to the EX-L transitions the body style to a hatchback version of the Civic. This model uses the same powertrain as the EX, and it brings in the benefits of a liftback tailgate and rear wiper. The L in the EX- L trim stands for leather upholstery, which you’ll find in this model. This trim also gives you an 8-way power driver’s seat. Other than these few changes, the EX and EX-L models are identical.

Honda Civic Touring

The top model of the current Civic is the Touring trim. This version uses the same powertrain as the EX but adds the paddle shifters from the Sport trim. If this is the model you choose, you’ll also enjoy:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Integrated side mirror turn signals
• LED fog lights
• Leather upholstery
• 4-way power passenger seat
• Rain-sensing wipers
• 10-inch driver information display
• Wireless charging pad
• 12-speaker Bose audio system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Honda satellite-linked GPS navigation
• SiriusXM satellite radio
• HD Radio
• 9-inch touchscreen
• Rear parking sensors
• Rear cross-traffic alerts

Until the new 2024 Honda Civic Hybrid arrives, you might want to choose from the current lineup, especially if you’ve been looking for a Civic to drive.