Honda Civic IMA Road Test

Honda Civic IMA

Build Quality

As you would expect of Honda the build quality is excellent and is supported by a 3-year/90,000 mile warranty and an 8-year/100,000 mile warranty for the IMA components.

Value For Money

The practical 4 door Civic IMA combines impressive levels of safety equipment and luxury features together with ground breaking energy efficient technology which returns on average 57.6 mpg. The news that the government is to increase duty on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fuel over the next three years is sure to increase interest in the petrol-electric Civic. Purchasers of the £15,000 Civic IMA are also currently eligible for a £1000 grant under the Energy Savings Trust's Powershift scheme.

For company car drivers tax is applied at the lowest rate of 12% for hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles, while a band AA VED rate means that road fund licence costs just £70 per year and the Civic IMA is also exempt from the congestion charge (subject to registration).

Overall Opinion

Apart from the discreet IMA badge on the front wing the Civic IMA looks and drives like any normal saloon car. In 2003 it won ‘best fuel economy’ and ‘best 1.4 litre engine’ at the International Engine Of The Year awards. It has also won the BP Green Fleet award for vehicle innovation. According to Honda over 20,000 miles at an average 57.6 mpg the Civic IMA will save you 450 litres of fuel and reduce harmful CO2 emissions by over a tonne compared to a standard 1.6 litre engine. Most IMA's will find themselves in company fleets because of the fuel savings and lower tax rates but if you do a lot of town driving and want a greener alternative to the family saloon then the the Civic IMA is worth investigating. Imagine not feeling guilty about the school run or rush hour traffic jams. Overall the Civic IMA is good clean value for money.

For more information about the Honda Civic IMA [ click here ]