Honda Announces Civic Hybrid Pricing

I'm glad for Honda's hybrid effort, and their competition with Toyota. But I was hoping they'd make more of a technological breakthrough and put some pressure on Toyota. Could it be that Toyota has already maxed out the technology?

 

Well, they now have full hybrid functionality at what is probably a fraction of the cost of HSD. So in terms of the wow factor, it's not there, but this is something that will make the beancounters sit up and take notice. And the car itself (other than not having folding rear seats) is fairly nice with those innovative adjustable seats and adjustable steering wheel, which Toyota can't manage to get into the Prius. :lol:

I'd bet that Honda is making a lot more on each Civic sold than Toyota makes on each Prius.

 

To be fair, the base Civic is better equipped than the base Prius.

 

What equipment does the base Civic offer that is optional or not available on the base Prius?

 

* MP3 CD
* Adjustable seats/telescoping steering wheel.
* Soft touch materials
* A double wishbone rear suspension (not necessary, but it sure is nice)
* A remote trunk release
* A sport mode on the transmission
* Speed sensitive volume control

And it has most of the same stuff the base Prius has (auto climate control, ABS). It doesn't have traction control, which is a bit of a turnoff in my opinion. But it does have a much nicer 'feel' to it, not the plastic fantastic feel of the Prius.

 

Some things that the Prius has but not HCH (as far as I can tell from the Honda website)
- Multi-Reflectr Halogn Auto Off Headlamps
- Power Heated Outside Mirrors
- 6 speakers with stereo
- Outside Temp Gauge
- Push Button Start
- Liquid-Crystal Multi-Info Display Panel
- Climate & Audio Controls on the Steering wheel
- Day & Night Rear View Mirror
- 60/40 Split Fold-Flat Rear Seat
- Intermittent Rear Wipers
- Adjustable Shoulder Belt Anchors
- Center Console w/Storage Box
- 2 Auxillary 12v Power Outlets (I assume HCH only has one)
- 2 Glove Boxes
- Traction Control

Regardless of the features that are on one but not the other, I don't interested the $1800 jump. Toyota is seeming to continue raising the price of the Prius too. Is this a good thing in getting hybrids into the mass market?

 

It might helped if you actually looked at the HCH standard features list for 2006. I'll edit out all of the things you listed which the HCH does have.

The only real loss there is traction control. I can live without the MFMFD. And the Civic does have audio controls on the steering wheel. It doesn't need climate controls because it's climate control system is understandable by humans.

 

I was hoping for a slightly lower price on the 2006 HCH. It is true Honda puts less into the HCH and therefore is going to be making a boatload of profit on each one compared to Toyota on the Prius. In fact in the first press releases Honda indicated that most of the components of the 2006 hybrid cost less then the 2005 model. I think they will sell everyone they can make. There is a difference though... I am sure that the 2006 HCH will sell at dealers for under MSRP. They are going to make lots of them and at that price the demand will not be unfillable. This is a good thing for the consumer but its a better thing for Honda. I feel so much so I bought stock in HMC this week. The dealer is actually getting the raw end of the stick when compared to the Toyota dealer, the profits stay with Honda at this price, where on the Prius the dealer makes more because of the demand forcing MSRP.

 

Well, since your personal preferences crept into this discussion of what features one car offers that the other one does not, I'll offer my biased opinion.

The only feature I truly miss on the Prius and which is offered on the HCH is a fully adjustable driver's seat. For me that is a small price to pay for the clear superiority of the Toyota HSD system.

Some of the other features which you list as offered on the HCH are matters of taste and one, the sport mode on the transmission, does not even apply as the Prius does not have a transmission but a planetary gear power splitting device which allocates and distributes power from the engine and the electric motors according to the optimal needs of the car.

It is quite obvious that you prefer the HCH over the Prius. It is perfectly fine and I am happy that you are content with your choice. Why is it, though, that you feel compelled to convert the allegiances of the Prius owners who frequent this site? Why do you have to act like a televangelist intent on converting others as opposed to just let folks be content with their choices?

 

Actually, I have a Prius, and am (somewhat) content with my choice.

But I am not a one of those Prius owners/drivers who have drunk the kool-aid, so to speak. I don't have that "prius ego" where I can't stand people who point out the shortcomings of the car. I like looking at the differences that other hybrids have, and pointing out advantages and disadvantages. Call it the analyst/engineer in me creeping out, but I enjoy it. Note that I did say that the loss of traction control and the split rear seat are huge losses in my book. But I do think it's admirable that Honda has built a car that humans can fit in and use, and has a system that provides 90% of the functionality that Toyota has but at (probably) 1/3 the cost.

The main reasons products improve is because of competition. So, yes, I really do hope the new Honda is a hit and I hope Toyota has to react.

 

It would helpful if they made the information easily seen on the Honda site. I mentioned as far as I could tell from the Honda site. I went to the Honda website and could not find a standard features for the 2006 Hybrid, only the trim levels for the regular civic and the features for the 2005 HCH. I guess it has all of the features of the one of the other trims but adds the hybrid features? I didn't see that on the website either, perhaps you could provide a link?

Judging from the what I can glean from the autoblog and honda with your corrections:
- 2 glove boxes
- Power Heated Outside Mirrors
- Push Button Start
- Multi-Info Display Panel
- Climate Controls on the Steering wheel
- Day & Night Rear View Mirror
- Intermittent Rear Wiper
- Adjustable Shoulder Belt Anchors
- 2 Auxillary 12v Power Outlets (only one listed on Honda 2006 Civic site)
-Traction Control

By the way, just because you can live without the MFMFD doesn't mean it isn't a valid feature difference. I find it extremely useful to use and I am glad that it has it. Same goes with the climate controls. It is not there because the climate control is hard to use, but so that a person can use it without taking their eyes off the road, so it does still need the controls.

 

I did see 2 power outlets listed on the site for the EX Sedan, w hich is what the hybrid is based on. And I can't imagine it wouldn't have adjustable seat belts. My Jetta did, and I guess VW (and Honda) don't feel the need to sell that as a "feature".

And given that it's not a hatchback, a rear wiper would be just a tad silly.

 

I, too, am not bashful pointing out the shortcomings of the Prius, most prominently the cheap looking creaky interior, the uncomfortable seats and poor road manners.

More than once, in my responses to the true believers, I opined that the Prius is just a car, that it is not a deity and that criticizing it is not tantamount to blasphemy

All that being said, however, your admiration of the HCH borders on idol worship.

:lol:

 

offering a list of what is on the
HCH and an opinion of what you like or dislike is not favoring anything imho. just stating facts. personally, i think the remote hatch release is VITAL. now the fact that the spring is not strong enough to lift the hatch is not a good enough reason to not have that feature. in my mind, if they can figure out how to get 55 mpg in a 5 passenger car and still provide more legroom than the hybrid SUV then they can figure out how to make the hatch pop open on its own.

 

You must be getting the director's cut of his posts. Or perhaps you're just a little bit stupid.

 

meh... for that price i'd still go for a Prius and i'd be getting a midsize and HSD....