Honda Civic 2004 review

"Of course," I scoff. "Well, it'd have to, wouldn't it?", my composure crumbling. Suddenly, not so sure about the innermost working of this hybrid machine, I decide to hit the Net and find out what on Earth I am driving.

Turns out this swanky little Honda is quite the revolutionary with its Integrated Motor Assist – or IMA as the mechanically minded would say.

To quote the website, "IMA combines the use of a petrol engine with an electric motor that boosts performance and reduces emissions."

Well, that clears that up.

Fair to say, I still have no idea how this machine works, but what I do get is the fuel economy.

I've been belting around in it for almost a week and still only used a third of a tank.

Though I did have a bit of a chuckle when the Civic arrived complete with energy efficiency rating sticker – is this a washing machine or a car?

The sticker boasts 5.2 litres of petrol per 100km, but for my last 100km, I've been averaging 6.6 litres, must have something to do with my love of charging off from traffic lights.

Not that there's too much to get excited by there. With your foot flat to the floor, the Civic at times feels a little like a golf buggy on performance-enhancing drugs. However, as another friend points out: "It doesn't need heaps of power to get to the Greenpeace meetings and anti-woodchipping protests."

Yeah, but it's still nice to be able to have a bit of grunt every now and then.

But it is oh-so-cute. And we all know good looks can make up for a litany of failings – not that the Civic has too many bad points.

The blue dash is way cool (yes, that is the technical description).

The displays are mesmerising – it tells you when it is charging and when it is using the battery.

Again, I have no idea what it is talking about, but gee it looks good.

It seems Honda may have taken a leaf out of Henry Ford's book – the Civic only comes in four colour choices, none terribly outlandish, and with the interior coming in tan, tan and more tan, I've made an important discovery ... There is such a thing as too much tan – who would have thought?

But if you are the youngest or the skinniest in a family of five, you will love the Civic. As the youngest of two children, I always got jammed into the middle seat when a visitor came on a trip with us.

Battling hip cramps from straddling the bump in the middle of the back seat, I would exit the car with something of a limp. But those clever Honda types have done away with the bump and created a completely flat floor – and youngest children around Australia are forever thankful.

The Hybrid is more than just a car; it is a civic duty.