2010 Honda Civic Hybrid

• Overall
• Prices
• Performance
• Exterior
• Interior
• Safety
• Reliability

Interior - What the Auto Press Says

The automotive press genuinely likes the interior of the 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid, which offers luxurious material quality and list of features that trumps many in its class. Still, the lack of cargo space and difficult-to-use navigation system take away from its otherwise glowing reviews. For those interested in going green but who don't necessarily need leather seats or other luxury amenities, the Honda Insight, might be worth a look. It has a base price that is almost $4,000 less than the Civic Hybrid and a fuel economy rating of 40/43 city/highway.

• "Roomy and refined interior." -- Edmunds
• "Civic's richly grained, substantial-feeling cabin materials would be at home in more expensive cars." -- Iguida
• "Honda did a little more work on the Civic's interior, when compared with its minimal sheetmetal changes, notably in the form of more upscale trim options and additional tech goodies." -- Motor Trend
• "New cloth materials and patterns on seats, door linings and armrests have been updated and look sharp." -- Automobile Magazine

Front Seats

Reviewers like the front cabin of the 2010 Civic Hybrid and say its adjustable seats and steering column make it easier to find a comfortable position. That said, taller drivers may have to slouch a bit. For additional comfort, check out the Toyota Prius. It features larger, more comfortable seats in both the front and rear and comes with a base price that‘s around $1,500 less than the Civic Hybrid's.

• "A standard tilt and telescopic steering column and height-adjustable driver seat help tailor an accommodating driving position. The seats astutely blend support and comfort." -- Consumer Guide
• "The front seats are manually-adjustable, and the driver's seat is even adjustable for cushion height." -- The Auto Channel
• "Civic sedans furnish four adults with good room and comfort, though those over 6 feet tall may be forced into a slight slouch to comfortably clear the headliner. Front seats in all models are firm and supportive." -- Iguida

Rear Seats

Despite the fact that some point leg room issues when the front seats are pushed far back, most reviewers find the 2010 Civic Hybrid's back row is spacious enough for two to be comfortable -- which is rare for the class.

• "Sedans have adequate adult headroom. Knee space is tight with the front seats far aft. Foot space is good unless the front cushions are near their lowest point. A flat floor aids overall comfort, as does the firm, well-contoured seat. Sedan doors open wide for good entry and exit. -- Consumer Guide
• "Rear passengers get a flat floor, but toe room is tight under the front seats." -- Iguida
• "The rear seat is surprisingly roomy, offering more leg- and head room than is found in some larger cars. A flat floor aids rear passenger comfort." -- The Auto Channel

Interior Features

Many features generally reserved for more expensive vehicles are available in the 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid. Standard features include automatic climate control, a tilt and telescoping steering column, an audio system with six speakers, an auxiliary audio jack and a USB audio interface. Speed-sensitive volume control adjusts the volume according to the speed of the car to help lessen intrusive tire noise.

Optional upgrades provide for a more luxurious experience and include leather, heated seats (around $1,200 extra) and XM Satellite Radio (around $310). The Civic Hybrid is available with a navigation system with voice recognition and Bluetooth (around $2,000), but some test drivers say it can be difficult to use and read.

If you don't need all of the extra goodies available in the Civic Hybrid but you still want to be a green driver, consider the Honda Insight. It has a starting price that's almost $4,000 less than the Civic Hybrid and boasts an impressive 40/43 city/highway fuel economy rating.

• "Civic's two-tier instrument panel places an analog tachometer ahead of the driver and separately housed digital speedometer directly above. The design works to good overall effect. The speedometer's digits are in driver's line of sight for viewing without taking focus off the road. Climate controls are within easy reach, though audio switchgear requires a stretch." -- Consumer Guide
• "The navigation system usurps too many audio functions and has a screen that can be difficult to read as light conditions change." -- Iguida
• "Optional navigation system seemed as dated as telegraph compared with what Honda uses in the Pilot SUV and other new models." -- USA TODAY

Cargo

Although the Civic Hybrid offers a decent amount of interior storage, there is no folding rear seat and the trunk offers only a modest 10.4 cubic feet for cargo space. That's less than many of its competitors in the affordable small car class, but about average among hybrid vehicles.

If you're in need of better cargo capacity but still want an eco-friendly vehicle, consider the Honda Insight. It has a folding rear seat that allows for 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space when the seats are up and a much more capable 31.5 cubic feet of cargo space when the rear seat is folded. Its fuel economy rating is slightly lower than the Civic Hybrid's at 40/43 city/highway, but it has a starting price of around $4,000 less.

• "[The Civic Hybrid] does without the Civic EX's power sunroof and split-folding rear seat in the name of reduced weight and, in the case of the rear seats, battery storage. As such, it holds marginally less cargo than the standard Civic sedan." -- Left Lane News
• "Unfortunately, there's no folding rear seat, because the battery pack rests between the rear seats and the trunk." -- Automobile Magazine
• "Goose-neck hinges on the trunk lid swing down and in, swiping cargo room and possibly pinching your luggage. Plenty of rivals use hinges that fit in the gutter around the trunk opening, avoiding the luggage compartment." -- USA TODAY