Is it true the the Civic Hybrid does not offer any kind of computer aided stability control or traction control?
yes, it doesn't have active safety features other than ABS w/EBD It does have Brake Assist in Canada.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(LongRun @ Mar 4 2007, 11:08 PM) [snapback]400137[/snapback]</div> Yes, it is true but only in Canada, the US and a few other smaller markets. In the Japanese and European markets the civic hybrids have those features and a few more we'll never see in these shores. Cheers; MSantos
Yeah but it sells for more in Europe. The Japanese cars there are equipped better anyway. The old Honda IMA (first gen HCH) used our Acura 1.6EL wheels lol. Besides, the new Corolla (the one that's coming next year) in Japan has SKS, backup camera, IPA, CVT, nav, 4wd, HIDs, adaptive headlights, LED brakelights etc etc. We'll probably only see the CVT. Maybe we'll get LEDs and nav for the US.
I made the mistake of buying the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid and driving it for 12,000 miles, getting about 38 MPG. I noticed that the brakes seemed very grabby. I took it to the dealer for the grabby brakes, and they said everything checked out fine. I eventually traded it for the Prius, correcting my grave error, and I had forgotten all about the grabby brakes until I saw this thread. I think the computer was not blending Regenerative Braking and Mechanical Braking correclty when I tried to brake moderately.
Civic Hybrid does not have stability control or even traction control (optional on Prius). However, active head restraint and side curtain air bags are standard on Civic hybrid. The former is NOT available on Prius and the latter, optional. And I like Civic's suspension better. Certainly, Prius has a better hybrid system than what is offered by Honda. Honda believe in low-cost hybrid system for small vehicles in the short term amd fuel cell for the longer term. Super-clean diesel engines for larger vehicles are to come within 3 years.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ceric @ Mar 27 2007, 03:52 AM) [snapback]412798[/snapback]</div> A minor clarification: traction control is standard on all Prius (to the annoyance of many); VSC is an option. Tom
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ceric @ Mar 27 2007, 03:52 AM) [snapback]412798[/snapback]</div> Side air bags are standard now on the prius are they not?
