Honda engineers for optimum performance.Horses That Might Be CamelsThe 140-hp, 1.8-liter, 16-valve SOHC i-VTEC® engine powering the Civic Sedan uses less fuel than you’d expect.

Need for 5 SpeedsAnd you can choose either the smooth-shifting 5-speed manual transmission or the 5-speed automatic—the first 5-speed in its class.

Handling ThingsThanks to sophisticated suspension and steering systems, the Civic is exceptionally agile and responsive. Powerful braking is achieved with front disc and rear drum brakes on DX and LX vehicles, while the EX sports discs all around.

Fuel system Regular Gasoline
Engine Size 109.843 cubic inches (1.8 litres)
Transmission Lock-Up/Automatic/5-Speed
Drive Front wheel drive
Class SUBCOMPACT CARS
Fuel type Regular Gasoline
Cylinders 4
Unadj city mpg 32.8206
Unadj hwy mpg 50.9711
Unadj combined mpg 39.0834
Average annual fuel $1449

2008 HONDA FIT, PERFORMANCE & SPECS

Meet the car that's leading the way in changing the view Americans have of subcompacts. Of course, rising gas prices have something to do with this change of heart, but the Honda Fit is an excellent little car that proves that "small" doesn't have to equal "chintzy penalty box." When the Fit was introduced last year, dealers struggled to keep the car in stock as demand consistently remained high for this versatile, sporty four-door hatchback. The same will likely hold true for this year, so don't expect to get a significant discount. But rest assured, the 2008 Honda Fit's popularity is well earned.

There are two key components to the Fit that make it so desirable. The first is its lithe, athletic nature, which makes you forget the vehicle you're piloting is a $15,000 small hatchback. The Fit is simply fun to drive, and its 109-horsepower engine is an eager partner to motivate the car's 2,500-pound mass. The second component is its hatchback body style and versatile interior. The four-door Fit can comfortably seat four people and boasts a tremendous amount of storage space. Its nifty backseat folds flat and features a seat bottom that flips up for a variety of different cargo configurations. Of course, the Fit's thrifty fuel economy also aids its cause.

Fuel system Regular Gasoline
Engine Size 91.5356 cubic inches (1.5 litres)
Transmission Lock-Up/Automatic/5-Speed
Drive Front wheel drive
Class SMALL STATION WAGONS
Fuel type Regular Gasoline
Cylinders 4
Unadj city mpg 34.7
Unadj hwy mpg 49.3
Unadj combined mpg 40.0353
Average annual fuel $1399

2008 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID, PERFORMANCE & SPECS

Those buying hybrids like the Civic are fulfilling a desire to ‘go green’ or they are tired of pumping hard-earned cash into their tank.

But, because the 2008 Honda Civic sedan hybrid looks so much like a typical Civic sedan, your neighbors and fellow motorists won’t be aware you’ve ‘gone green’ unless they see the Hybrid tag on the Civic’s rear fascia.

Under the Civic hybrid’s hood is a 1.3-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine and a 20 horsepower electric motor that both combine to produce 110 horsepower.

Honda refers to the Civic’s hybrid system as Integrated Motor Assist (IMA). The IMA hybrid system uses the gasoline engine as the primary source of power and the electric motor/generator provides both additional power and electricity regeneration capability.

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is mated to the Civic hybrid’s engine, with the 15-kilowatt, 2.8-inch wide electric motor/generator sandwiched in between the two.

The Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) controls the flow of electricity to and from the electric motor/generator, and a compact nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack.

During acceleration, the gasoline engine and electric motor work together to propel the vehicle. During cruising, the gasoline engine and/or the electric motor can propel the vehicle. In certain steady-state cruising situations, the IMA system can deactivate all four of the engine’s cylinders and operate using only the electric motor.

During regenerative braking, the gasoline engine deactivates and the electric motor acts as generator to replenish the battery pack. At a stop, the engine can enter an idle stop mode to save fuel and reduce emissions by turning off the engine.

1.3-Liter, 8-Valve, i-VTEC 4-Cylinder Engine
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
Electric Motor
Idle-Stop Feature
Integrated Motor Assist IMA®
Drive-by-Wire™ Throttle System

EPA-estimated 40 city/45 hwy mpg. Based on 2008 EPA mileage estimates, reflecting new EPA fuel economy methods beginning with 2008 models. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.