I got this car when I got a job that required a long commute, 45 miles one way, for a total of 90 miles a day. The car was advertised as getting 45 miles to the gallon, and this so far seems to be true. I have saved a lot of money with the car and have only done routine maintenance on it. It is not a fast car. It is not particularly fun to drive, as its acceleration leaves much to be desired. But as far as getting around on the cheap and without worries, this makes it all worth it. One thing to note is that as a hybrid, it shuts off at traffic lights automatically and doesn't coast smoothly. The electric battery charges when your foot is off the accelerator, causing a slight lurching. People who are used to the standard Civic will be used to a faster car, and this hybrid is at least 30 horsepower shy of a standard Civic, so it does not have a lot of pep. Again, a steady reliable commuter that has nothing fancy going for it but peace of mind. Also, tires should be rotated religiously as there is a lot of torque on the front wheels, and the tires do wear more quickly in the front than in the back.

I bought my Honda Civic last year, and by far the best car I ever had. I love design, what inside, and the quality. This CVT does a good job of simulating the “step-down” feeling under acceleration you’d get with a conventional automatic, especially at freeway speeds. Around town, it’s a tad more sluggish.