Review
Honda Civic IMA saloon 2006 - 2010
/5
- Pros:
- Comfortable, quiet cabin
- Impressive motorway cruiser
- Simple to drive, low CO2 emissions
- Cons:
- Electric motor is weak
- Boot is small
- Brakes are very hard to use smoothly
reviewed by Carbuyer
"Honda's Civic IMA offers a petrol-electric hybrid engine and low fuel consumption. It's good around town, but is equally as impressive on the motorway."
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Honda's Civic IMA is a saloon hybrid offering low fuel consumption and tax friendly emissions. The IMA system employs an electric motor to boost the power of the petrol engine: maximum output is 113bhp, peak torque is 225Nm. But the electric motor is comparatively weak, and isn't meaty enough to shift the car from a standstill on its own. Unlike the Toyota Prius, the Civic is seldom powered directly by the electric cells, undermining its clean credentials. Instead, the electric motor operates once you press the brake pedal; coast or come to a standstill. At rest, the engine stops, restarting as soon as you lift your foot.
