Trying to decide between the hybrid and gas model.
I usually keep my cars for 10-15 years, so long-term cost matters most. After that, purchase price and mileage are my next biggest concerns.
Which one would you pick and why?
Go for the hybrid. Just pick the trim with the features you like.
You can crunch the numbers yourself. The hybrid costs at least $5,000 more than an LX. But if you’re looking at the Sport or Touring trim, the hybrid is the obvious choice. I’m getting about 45mpg combined with mostly highway driving, and the extra power is nice.
If you want a manual transmission, stick with the gas version. I still don’t fully trust the CVTs in Civics. I’ve seen too many people with 2014 and 2015 models dealing with costly repairs when the belt fails.
Long-term, the hybrid is actually simpler mechanically, and the eCVT is easier to fix if something does go wrong. Hybrid batteries aren’t as scary as people think—aftermarket ones cost around $1,500 and are easy to replace.
How much you save on gas depends on your driving. If you spend hours on the highway at 80mph, fuel savings won’t be that big. But if you mostly drive in town or on rural roads under 60mph, you’ll save a lot.
I chose the hybrid and have loved it since October. The ride is smooth, and it’s super comfortable on long trips (I got the Sport Touring model).
Hope that helps .
@Mali
The hybrid has something called an ‘eCVT,’ but it’s not actually a CVT. There’s no traditional transmission—the electric motor drives the front wheels.
CVTs get a bad reputation because people don’t take care of them. If you change the transmission fluid every 30,000 to 50,000 miles, they last much longer.
@Jalen
That’s mostly right.
At lower speeds, the electric motor handles everything. At higher speeds, there’s a direct drive gear that connects the engine to the wheels, but it’s not under the same stress as a regular transmission.
And yeah, poor maintenance is why CVTs fail so often. A lot of people don’t change the fluid regularly, and by the time they do, it’s too late. They’re also expensive to repair, which is why I’m still not a fan.
@Mali
What’s the point of a fuel-saving transmission if all the money you save goes into maintenance? It’s frustrating that they don’t offer a regular Civic with a proper gearbox and three pedals.
Joss said:
@Mali
What’s the point of a fuel-saving transmission if all the money you save goes into maintenance? It’s frustrating that they don’t offer a regular Civic with a proper gearbox and three pedals.
Hybrids are actually cheaper to maintain in the long run compared to manuals.
@Mali
I don’t buy that unless someone is just terrible at driving. My daily driver is 20 years old with 600,000 miles, and it still has the original clutch. All I’ve spent on maintenance is about $300 for gear oil.
Meanwhile, a hybrid battery will definitely need to be replaced in that time.
@Joss
You’re an exception.
A lot of people burn out their clutch in 20,000 miles. If you get past 150,000 miles on one, you’ve done well.
I talked to someone today who still has the original hybrid battery in his 2007. That’s rare, though. Most don’t last that long.
When it comes to repairs, I try to go with the average. Some clutches last forever, some fail quickly. Same with hybrid batteries.
I’d never tell someone to expect 200,000 miles from a clutch or more than 10 years from a hybrid battery, even if it happens sometimes.
@Mali
My wife’s car has 411,000 miles on the original…