Where the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius are purpose-built hybrids, Honda's Civic Hybrid stands alone as the only gasoline-electric hybrid version based on an existing design. Looking and, for the most part, driving like a standard Honda Civic, the Hybrid is aimed at those who want to use less fuel without the polarizing style of the extra-misers.

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Fuel economy of the Civic Hybrid is substantially improved over the standard Civic. Around town, the Hybrid is rated at 40 mpg and on the highway, the EPA says it'll achieve 45 mpg. That's well above the 25 city and 36 highway numbers offered by a comparable automatic transmisison Civic sedan and it's actually 2 mpg (highway) greater than the admittedly less-costly Insight.

The Hybrid's 1.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline and electric motors combine for 110 horsepower peaking at 6,300 rpm. Torque is 123 lb-ft. at 4,300 rpm and the Hybrid channels its power through a continuously variable transmission that maximizes efficiency as best as possible. Its four-wheel antilock disc brakes conserve otherwise wasted energy to charge the 158-volt Nickel Metal Hydride battery.

Honda says the Civic Hybrid's electric motor can power the car from a stop to 35 mph, if the battery is  fully charged and the driver takes it easy on the accelerator pedal. The electric motor is capable of powering the car's accessories, including the air conditioning, at a complete stop, meaning the Civic Hybrid does not pollute at idle. The Civic Hybrid does not need to be plugged in to a wall outlet to charge its battery; the power regeneration system does that via the brakes.

The Civic Hybrid does utilize some eco-friendly designs not seen on its traditional siblings, namely a more aerodynamic bodykit and full-face alloy wheels mounted on low rolling-resistance 15-inch tires. A rear spoiler helps cut down on drag and electric power steering and an automatic climate control system reduces the air conditioning compressor's draw on the drivetrain.

Lightly updated for the 2009 model year onward, the Civic Hybrid gained revised headlamps and front and rear fascia styling, as well as a new three-spoke steering wheel to complement its space-age interior.

Equipped about like the Civic EX, the Hybrid comes standard with the usual assortment of power accessories, traction control, an antiskid system and alloy wheels. It 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.

Though Honda offers no stand-alone options, four variants are available, starting with the base Hybrid, moving up to the Hybrid with navigation and Bluetooth, then to the Hybrid with leather upholstery and, finally, to the Hybrid with both navigation/Bluetooth and leather seats.

The leather trim package also includes heating elements for the seats and the exterior mirrors.