Honda's 2024 Civic Hybrid: A Game-Changer for U.S. Green Car Market

 

Honda's 2024 Civic Hybrid: A Game-Changer for U.S. Green Car Market

Honda's Ambitious Move: 2024 Civic Hybrid to Capture 40% of U.S. Civic Sales

Honda's latest announcement confirms that the 2024 Civic Hybrid is not just another niche model; it's set to become a significant player in the U.S. green car market. With a bold target of making the hybrid version account for 40% of total U.S. Civic sales, Honda is pushing the boundaries of hybrid technology.

The U.S. version of the 2024 Honda Civic Hybrid will be equipped with a 2.0-liter inline-4 engine that operates on an efficiency-focused Atkinson cycle. This engine is an integral part of Honda's two-motor hybrid system, which distinguishes itself by eliminating the need for a conventional transmission. This innovative approach allows the electric motor system to offer highly efficient propulsion, particularly in city driving conditions. The result is responsive acceleration and nearly instantaneous torque delivery, akin to what you'd expect from an electric vehicle (EV). The gasoline engine primarily serves as a generator at higher speeds, contributing to overall efficiency. Recent system improvements, introduced with the latest CR-V and Accord hybrids, increase motor torque at lower speeds, further enhancing the driving experience.

Honda's return to this hybrid sedan category follows the discontinuation of the Insight hybrid sedan in spring 2022. The Civic Hybrid's comeback was initially confirmed for the U.S., reigniting Honda's presence in this segment. The Insight had introduced the two-mode system to a compact car, following the discontinuation of the previous Civic Hybrid that used the older IMA hybrid system in 2015.

Competing with the Civic Hybrid are rivals such as the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, Toyota Corolla Hybrid, and Toyota Prius Hybrid, all of which offer versions achieving 50 mpg combined or more. The current Honda Accord Hybrid, a larger sedan that shares a version of the Civic Hybrid's hybrid system, delivers up to 48 mpg combined.

In 2021, Honda sold nearly 264,000 Civics in the U.S. – the model's last full year before a 2022 redesign. Prior to the Insight, Honda's hybrid offerings were niche, with around 20,000 units sold annually. Notably, Honda has manufactured a staggering 11 million Civics in North America since 1988.

As for production, Honda has confirmed that the 2024 Civic Hybrid will be available in both sedan and hatchback form. Production for the Civic hybrid will commence with the sedan at the Alliston, Ontario plant, with the hatchback version following in Greensburg, Indiana. Both the hybrid system and the engine are manufactured at facilities in Ohio.

Honda is fully committed to hybrid technology in the U.S., with 56% of current CR-V and Accord models sold as hybrids, accounting for more than a quarter of the company's total U.S. sales.

Although Honda does not currently offer a fully electric model, the automaker is set to enter the EV market in the first half of 2024 with the 2024 Honda Prologue, a model built on GM's Ultium underpinnings. Furthermore, a mid- to large-sized EV based on Honda's dedicated e:Architecture is expected to follow in 2025. Honda is poised to make a significant impact on the green car market with its innovative hybrid technology and forthcoming electric vehicles.