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It was a brave move to hold the 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid media introduction at the foot of the Santa Rosa Mountains near Palm Springs, Calif. The test route climbed some 15 miles up to an altitude of about 4,000 feet where most cars would be wheezing in the thin air. Honda almost seemed to be taunting lead-footed auto journalists to see just what kind of power this second-generation hybrid could deliver.
It soon became apparent that this new, refined and improved Civic, rolling into showrooms in April and priced at about $20,000, was up to the challenge. It's not exactly a performance car, but it gets along briskly. And when you consider that the Civic Hybrid interior is especially attractive, and it gets 47 miles per gallon (with the manual transmission), you have a very appealing package. You could buy one and then shrug when gas prices double.
Yes, we live in an unpredictable world. Gas prices could shoot up. Gas supplies could be cut. Frigid Boston could get Miami's balmy weather, thanks to global warming. The Honda Civic Hybrid is your hedge against disaster scenarios. And you don't have to wear your politics on your sleeve. There are lots of reasons to buy this four-door sedan besides the fact that it's about as environmentally friendly as a modern car gets.
Consider this scenario. A young car buyer strolls onto the lot at the local Honda dealership. The Civic Hybrid's redesigned nose and handsome interior catch the shopper's eye. "Hey, I like that one over there. What is it?" The salesman begins tap dancing, pitching how fun it is to drive, how good it looks, how practical it is. Then he concludes by saying, "Did I mention that it's a hybrid and gets almost 50 miles per gallon?" The buyer's response: Cool.
Cool is right. And Honda was the first to prove in the U.S. just how cool gasoline-electric hybrid technology could be. In 1999, the carmaker released the Honda Insight two-door hatchback, one of which has held a valued place in the Edmunds.com long-term fleet for the past two years. It has been driven 32,000 miles with no major glitches while delivering an average of 52.4 miles per gallon.
The Honda Civic Hybrid has taken the technology pioneered in the Honda Insight Hybird and improved on it. It uses a small 1.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine (85 horsepower) assisted by a 13-horsepower electric motor. When the driver backs off the throttle or hits the brakes, the energy that is usually wasted is captured in a bank of batteries mounted behind the rear passenger seat. The next time extra power is needed, when pulling away from a dead stop, for instance, that captured energy is, in a sense, recycled. Honda calls this give-and-take between the gasoline engine and the battery the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system.
The i-DSI (Dual and Sequential Ignition) four-cylinder engine is a technological marvel, with two spark plugs per cylinder to promote complete combustion, boost fuel efficiency and cut emissions. The engine burns clean enough to earn it an Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV) rating. Additionally, the engine debuts a new "cylinder de-activation system" that cuts fuel flow to three combustion chambers during deceleration. This reduces friction by 30 percent, allowing the batteries to capture energy that would otherwise be lost.
Also improved is the 10-kilowatt electric motor (which also functions as a generator). The Civic Hybrid's electric motor is brushless and ultra-thin. This is important, since the inline gas engine nearly fills the engine bay's available space. The electric motor is positioned between the gas engine and the transmission.
Rating the power of the Honda Civic is a bit confusing, since it isn't a simple matter of adding the horsepower of the gas and electric motors. The gas engine supplies 85 horsepower at 5,700 rpm while the electric motor delivers 13 horsepower from 2,500 to 4,000 rpm. However, according to Honda's specifications, this adds up to a combined maximum rating of 93 hp at 5,700 rpm. (The torque rating for the gas and electric motors combined is 116 pound-feet at 1,500 rpm in the manual transmission and 105 pound-feet at 3,000 rpm.) For purposes of comparison, a fully gas-powered Honda Civic LX sedan delivers 115 horsepower, and the Insight makes 73 ponies with its IMA system.
The Civic Hybrid is offered with either a five-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT version includes a feature called "Creeping Aid System" that prevents the car from rolling backwards from a stop on hills.
Now, you'd probably like to know what all this whiz-bang technology adds up to. The short answer is: a very drivable compact four-door sedan.
As we mentioned in the beginning, much of the test loop was a steep climb into the mountains. With a BMW 328i bearing down on us, we were very sensitive to the Civic Hybrid's power. The CVT made the most of its 93 horses, and we were able to climb fast enough to keep a respectable distance between our rear bumper and the Bimmer — and you know how pushy those BMW drivers can be.
Since the CVT transmission always seeks the most efficient gear ratio, it feels noticeably different to drive from, say, a four-speed automatic transmission. The car revs to a certain level and stays there, unless you want to go faster or slower. At first, we found ourselves anticipating the slight bump that accompanies a gear change in a conventional automatic transmission. But soon, we grew used to the CVT and enjoyed its efficient delivery of available power.
The five-speed manual made the Civic Hybrid feel like any other conventionally powered compact. The low-end power was modest, but we test-drove the car with three adults onboard at high altitude. For around-town purposes, with a non-enthusiast-type driver at the wheel, the power would be quite adequate.
A gauge on the dash shows when the gas engine is being assisted by the electric motor. It's fun to watch the flickering lights, and it shows when the engine experiences the greatest load. But it's not like this is vital information for driving the car. Contrary to what some people have thought, you never have to plug it in.
Like the Honda Insight, the Civic Hybrid uses an automatic idle stop feature to save gas. When the driver comes to a complete stop at a traffic light, for example, the engine shuts off. Obviously, this saves gas and cuts emissions. To remind the driver that the engine has shut off on purpose, and has not merely stalled, a light on the instrument panel blinks.
The first time the engine stopped on the test drive, it produced a slight panic sensation in us. The feel of a throbbing engine is so basic to the driving experience. But, as with the CVT, we quickly got used to this feature. It even seemed relaxing to be waiting at a light without holding back the engine as it impatiently idled. In fact, as we drove away from the press event in a Ford Focus, and the engine didn't shut off at a traffic light, it suddenly seemed wasteful.
Road feel in the Civic is comparable to that of other Hondas of this ilk — a little on the numb side, despite stiffened springs and increased shock-damping rates. On tight mountain curves, there is some body roll — not surprising, since the Civic Hybrid is about 200 pounds heavier than the Civic LX. Overall, though, the ride is very comfortable. This Hybrid uses the same control-link MacPherson strut front suspension and reactive-link double wishbone rear suspension as other Civic models. Additionally, the Hybrid is equipped with electronic power steering, antilock brakes and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD). Front disc brakes and rear drums are standard.
One pleasant surprise when driving the car was how quiet it remained inside the cabin. While sitting in the backseat, it was possible to hear people in the front conversing in normal voices without asking them to turn their heads. The low decibel level is due to additional insulation under the car, along with underside panels that make it more aerodynamic.
The seats are comfortable and exceptionally attractive with beige fabric that resembles suede. The driver seat has a fold-down armrest that is not offered in other Civics. The graphite-colored dash is made of high-grade soft-touch plastics, and there is a generous sprinkling of storage bins and cubbyholes around the cabin. The automatic climate control buttons are large, easy to manipulate and are attractively arranged in a vertical layout.
From the outside, it takes a sharp eye to spot the differences between the Civic Hybrid and other Civic sedans. One tip-off is the standard alloy wheels. The other is the redesigned nose with the enlarged air dam that improves air flow under the car. Other than that, the crisp, inoffensive Honda styling is very much in play.
Buyers interested in the Honda Civic Hybrid will only have a few choices to make. Three colors are available — Titanium Metallic, Opal Silver Blue Metallic and Taffeta White — and buyers can get the standard CVT transmission or the manual transmission (about $800 less expensive). The Civic Hybrid is sold with Honda's standard 3-year/36,000-mile warranty, except for the battery, which is covered for 8 years or 80,000 miles.
After this glowing description of Honda's 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid, the reader might think we are suggesting that you really can have your cake and eat it — or, in this case, get great gas mileage and have a fun-to-drive car. That's exactly what we are saying. However, there is a trade-off that isn't readily apparent: the price. You could get a comparably equipped Civic LX for about $4,000 less. Still, if gas prices shoot up, you'd save money even by buying the more expensive Honda Civic Hybrid. Not only that, but the technology is exciting. And, oh yeah, like all hybrid cars, it's easy on the environment.
Used 2003 Honda Civic listings and inventory:
Shop Edmunds' used car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million pre-owned vehicles to find a cheap used and certified pre-owned (CPO) 2003 Honda Civics for sale near Ashburn VA. There are currently 2,321 used and CPO 2003 Civics listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as 1,677 and mileage as low as 0. Simply research the type of used car, SUV, or truck you're interested in and then select a vehicle from our massive database to find cheap pre-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the used 2003 Honda Civic. Then select Edmunds' special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to 155 on a used or CPO 2003 Civic available from one of 2,630 dealerships in your area.
What's a good price on a used 2003 Honda Civic ?
Save up to $155.4 on one of 29 used 2003 Honda Civics for sale at dealerships within 25 miles of Ashburn, Virginia with prices as low as $2195 as of Apr 25, 2018, based on data from 18 dealers and 22 consumer-driven dealer ratings ranging from 1 to 5 out of 5 stars.
Price comparisons for used 2003 Honda Civic trim styles:
The used 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid is priced around $4143 with average odometer reading of 126936 miles.
The used 2003 Honda Civic EX is priced around $4144 with average odometer reading of 118182 miles.
The used 2003 Honda Civic LX is priced around $3948 with average odometer reading of 120553 miles.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, Virginia. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
What options are available on the 2003 Honda Civic?
Available Honda Civic 2003 Submodel Types: Si, Sedan, Hybrid, Si w/Navigation, Type R Touring, Coupe, Hatchback, Natural Gas, Si w/Summer Tires
Available Honda Civic 2003 Trims: EX-L, EX-T, Sport, Sport Touring, EX w/Honda Sensing, SE, Touring, LX-P, LX w/Honda Sensing, EX-L Navigation, EX-T w/Honda Sensing, EX-L w/Navigation, EX-L Navigation and Honda Sensing, LX-S, Value Package, DX, LX, EX, DX-VP, Si w/Summer Tires, Hybrid, Si w/Navigation, Type R Touring, EX-L w/Honda Sensing, HF, Hybrid w/Leather, Hybrid w/Leather and Navigation, EX Special Edition, EX-L w/Navigation and Honda Sensing, HX, Hybrid PZEV, Natural Gas, Si, VP
Exterior Colors: Crystal Black Pearl, Modern Steel Metallic, Aegean Blue Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic, Alabaster Silver Metallic, White Orchid Pearl, Cosmic Blue Metallic, Dyno Blue Pearl, Polished Metal Metallic, Crimson Pearl, Urban Titanium Metallic, Burgundy Night Pearl, Sonic Gray Pearl, Royal Blue Pearl, Atomic Blue Metallic, Galaxy Gray Metallic, Tango Red Pearl, Kona Coffee Metallic, Magnesium Metallic, Satin Silver, Cool Mist Metallic, Energy Green Pearl, Orange Fire Pearl, Satin Silver Metallic, Borrego Beige Metallic, Radiant Ruby Pearl, Vogue Silver Metallic, Clover Green, Cypress Green Pearl Metallic, Eternal Blue Pearl, Nighthawk Black Pearl, Opal Silver Blue Metallic, Championship White, Clover Green Pearl, Fiji Blue Pearl, Flamenco Black Pearl, Frost White, Habanero Red Pearl, Magnetic Pearl, Sunburst Orange Pearl, Taffeta White, Adriatic Blue Pearl Metallic, Flint Gray Metallic, Harvard Blue Pearl Metallic, Iced Teal Pearl, Milano Red, Rallye Red, Shoreline Mist Metallic, Titanium Metallic, Vivid Blue, Woodland Green Pearl Metallic
Interior Colors: Black cloth, Gray cloth, Black leather, Ivory cloth, Beige cloth, Gray leather, Black/Gray cloth, Black/Ivory cloth, Black/Red premium cloth, Black premium cloth, Black/Ivory leather, Ivory leather, Beige leather, Black/Gray leather, Stone cloth, Blue cloth, Gray, Red/Black Suede-Effect Fabric suede/cloth, Ivory, Black, Beige
Popular Features: Alarm, Tire Pressure Warning, USB Inputs, Stability Control, Bluetooth, Back-up camera, Trip Computer, Keyless Entry/Start, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, Aux Audio Inputs, Remote Start, Blind Spot Monitoring, Post-collision safety system, Lane Departure Warning, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Heated seats, Leather Seats, Power Driver Seat, Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-collision safety system, Navigation, Upgraded Headlights, Rear Bench Seats, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Sunroof/Moonroof, Auto Climate Control
Engine/Mechanics: 4 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, MANUAL
Fuel Types: premium unleaded (recommended), premium unleaded (required), regular unleaded, natural gas
Drivetrains: front wheel drive
Used 2003 Honda Civic Overview
The used 2003 Honda Civic is offered in the following submodels: Coupe, Hatchback, Natural Gas, Sedan, Hybrid. Available styles include LX 4dr Sedan (1.7L 4cyl 4A), EX 4dr Sedan (1.7L 4cyl 4A), and EX 2dr Coupe (1.7L 4cyl 4A). Pre-owned Civic models are available with a 0-liter gas engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The used 2003 Civic comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 4-speed automatic.
