WHAT makes the
Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic Hybrid a favourite examination in contrast?
For one, both
come with the promise of a cleaner drive, though one would carry a weightier
AT-PZEV (Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) status while the
other is comfortable enough with a ULEV (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle) rating.
Then, there is
the fuel consumption rate, a head locking factor which sees a very close fight
between the two hybrids with the Prius at 38km per litre and the Civic Hybrid,
which is not too far behind at 31km per litre. Fuel consumption for both cars
here are rated using the 10-15 test cycle in Japan.
To be fair, it
was the Prius which made its debut first in 1997, five years before Honda would
introduce the Civic Hybrid, which would incidentally become the second
commercially produced petrol-electric car in the market.
In terms of
performance, the Prius 16-valve 1.8-litre 2ZR-FXE engine has a superior power
output of 98hp.
In comparison,
the Civic Hybrid's 8-valve 1.3 SOHC logs in at 94hp but with the help of the
electric motor output, it is given an additional boost of 20hp, giving it a
total horsepower of 114hp.
