New Honda hybrid to arrive in April 2009, cost less than Prius

Posted Wed Aug 13 2008 5:17 PM by Nelson Ireson

Aiming squarely for the jugular of the world's leading purveyor of hybrid vehicles is a daring move, but few companies are better suited to the task than Honda. With its new dedicated hybrid model, the company hopes to undercut the current market-leading Prius on price while offering superior performance. The car will be launched for sale in April 2009, though it will likely appear at the Paris Motor Show in near-production form in October.

Sales targets of at least 100,000 units annually in the U.S. mean the company is serious not just about delivering the vehicle, but doing so in quantity. In addition, the pricing, though still not yet announced, will slot in below the $21,500 Toyota Prius - a figure that is also significantly below the price of the current Civic Hybrid, which starts at $22,600. The price drop will come in part from an inexpensive hybrid powertrain that costs roughly half that of the current model.

The 100,000 annual sales figure won't be quite enough to fight with Toyota for the overall sales crown, however. Already the Prius has managed to top that figure in the first seven months of 2008. Last year it sold over 180,000 of the cars in total, reports MSNBC. But as the company fights to regain its hybrid crown - it was significantly ahead of the curve with the Insight in the 1990s, but has since fallen behind Toyota - it will need all the volume, efficiency, and low price it can get, despite already featuring a lineup that is more efficient on the whole than Toyota's.

Reader Comments

Wed Aug 13 2008 5:39 PM
Gus says

Yes, but unless it looks distinctive enough from the normal Civic, the greenies won't be able to impress their nieghbors.

Sorry, ranting about people who buy a marked up and overhyped vehicle just to show off how green they are.

I've always thought the Civic Hybrid was a better buy, but I'm still thinking that unless it can be plugged in, buying a normal Civic makes more sense in the near (and given expensive repairs) and long term.
Wed Aug 13 2008 7:03 PM
InkMaster says

Gus, that plus the difference between the regular and hybrid Civics isn't THAT big... normal one gets like 30ish mpg, hybrid gets 40 on a good day.

But if it could be plugged in, and would have a range of at-least 200 on battery alone I would be the first one to run out and buy it. But as it stands now, its just not a significant enough improvement...
Wed Aug 13 2008 10:19 PM
Gus says

Exactly.
I think the only type of Hybrid that really, really makes sense and saves a ton of cash is a plug-in.
Thu Aug 14 2008 7:42 AM
Ebirah says

Good job, Honda. There are rumors of an under $20k Scion hybrid tho that will compete w/ this.
Thu Aug 14 2008 9:29 AM
Turkle says

What this should also do is allow Honda to bring down the price of the Civic Hybrid. If the cost of making the Hybrid system is cut almost in half, then we should see a price decrease in the Civic. I know that will not happen, but I am taking their own marketing speak above and drawing some conclusions. Honda also plans on a Hybrid version of the Fit. It would be great if they can keep the price of it below $18,500.00.

Oh, based off of the spy photos of the dedicated small hybrid that was running around death valley a few weeks ago, this thing will be distinctive and unique. The sad thing is that due to aerodynamics its profile is much like the Prius.

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