Pics of 2009 Civic Hybrid Released; Car Has Nicer Options, but MPG Stays the Same

Pics of 2009 Civic Hybrid Released; Car Has Nicer Options, but MPG Stays the Same

The 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid shows modest exterior styling changes while interior benefits from the addition of available premium features.

Those features include leather-trimmed seating surfaces and steering wheel, heated front seats and side mirrors, and Bluetooth HandsFreeLink -- a wireless interface that works with Bluetooth-enabled mobile telephones for hands-free operation via steering wheel-mounted controls -- on models equipped with the Honda Satellite-linked Navigation System.

Vehicle Stability Assist, also known as electronic stability control, is added as standard equipment.

The Civic Hybrid's EPA-estimated fuel economy does not improve over the current model's. It remains at 40 miles per gallon in the city, 45 on the highway and 42 combined.

The exterior changes are modest. New for 2009 are a revised front grille opening and a new front bumper cover. Together, they adopt a new three-port shape at the lower air intake, replacing the appearance of one continuous opening.

Adhering to the "premium" theme, the interior emphasizes sophistication with a two-tier instrument panel and lots of storage room for mobile phones, MP3 music players and other gadgets.

A 1.3-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine -- same as the current model's -- and a 15-kilowatt electric motor produce a combined 110-horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 123 pound-feet of torque between 1000 and 2500 rpm.

The Civic Hybrid is certified by the California Air Resource Board as Advanced-Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) -- the best-possible emissions rating for a hybrid vehicle.

Scott Doggett, Contributor

Scott Doggett:  is an AutoObserver.com Associate Editor.