In a surprising turn of events, Honda has decided to re-enter the hybrid compact car segment in the United States with the reintroduction of the Civic Hybrid for the 2025 model year. This move comes after Honda’s brief hiatus from the hybrid market, having relinquished gas-electric compact car duties to the Insight in 2015. With Toyota making waves with its Corolla Hybrid and the acclaimed Prius, Honda is eager to showcase its presence in this competitive arena.
The 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid is making its first appearance through a series of images, providing enthusiasts with an early glimpse of what to expect. While details about the model remain sparse, both the sedan and hatchback body styles are set to hit the market later this year with an efficient hybrid powerplant.
One of the most noticeable changes is the refreshed front end of the Civic, featuring a wider and more pronounced lower air intake. The thin corner intakes, reminiscent of the Civic Type R’s design, add a touch of sportiness. Additionally, a revised upper grille aims to reduce the snout-like hood overbite seen in the current generation. Although the headlights and taillights appear largely unchanged, the overall aesthetic enhancements give the Civic Hybrid a refreshed and contemporary look.
A unique wheel design, likely specific to the hybrid variant, further distinguishes the model. These design elements are anticipated to carry over to the regular petrol-powered Civic models for the 2025 model year. According to Honda, the non-hybrid models will also receive a light visual update along with other changes, aligning them with the refreshed design of the Civic lineup.
Beneath the sleek exterior, the Civic Hybrid boasts a hybrid powertrain derived from its larger counterparts, the Accord Hybrid sedan and CR-V Hybrid SUV. If Honda maintains the powertrain’s potency for the smaller Civic, drivers can expect an impressive 204PS power output. This surpasses the optional turbocharged 1.5-litre inline-4 petrol engine’s 180PS output and even outperforms the Civic Si sport sedan’s 200PS.
In line with the introduction of hybrid, Honda is also going to double down on alternative fuel options. In the year 2024, Honda has confirmed to introduce the all-electric Prologue SUV, which will initially focus on markets like California, Texas and Florida. Alongside the Prologue, Honda will also introduce the CR-V fuel-cell electric (FCEV), which will also be North America’s first production vehicle to combine a plug-in feature with FCEV technology.