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Civic update!
1) Winter MPG complaint
I thought it was funny earlier in the winter that my dad commented he wasn't getting the fuel economy he was used to seeing during the summer & fall. I asked him "when was the last time you remember the engine Auto Stop feature working?" Aha. So I got to explain that issue, plus other mpg-wrecking effects of cold weather. It apparently just resumed Auto Stopping within the last week (starting to warm up outside).
2) Constant pack "recals"
I've driven the car a few times in the past week, and it has done a pack recal (recalibration, involving forced charging to reset the battery state of charge gauge) literally every single time. Somewhat annoying. In the Insight world, very frequent recals were considered a sign the pack was on its way out.
Remember, this Civic is already on its second pack.
Aside from that, Dad has put about 20k km on the car since he got it without any problems.
3) I would not buy one of these.
Mostly I don't like the inconsistent way the programming of the hybrid system affects the driving experience.
A) Brake feel changes drastically (and sometimes suddenly, in the middle of braking) depending on whether it adds regen or not. It never seems to regen on the first stop after a cold start.
B) Worst CVT I've driven. Many gearheads hate the "motorboating" feel of CVT's. I don't really mind that -- it's many other things: it has an annoying "rubber band" feel under light/moderate acceleration from a stop, where it seems to gently surge/relax/surge/relax while building speed. Also, it's a little bit clunky when engaging from a complete stop. And sometimes the CVT will "creep" the car (as expected) when you release the brakes from a stop; other times it won't move until you give it a little gas. Generally unrefined.
C) Power output is inconsistently mapped to pedal position. The rate of acceleration you get at, say, 50% throttle varies wildly depending on state of charge and especially on whether it's doing a "pack recal" (forced charging), which it does A LOT. Annoying.
Once, I pulled out from a stop into traffic and it offered ZERO assist (It was maybe the second stop from a cold start -- I assume the pack was deemed to be too cold). The unexpected lack of power was alarming. I literally had to floor it. Can't remember the last time I've ever had to floor any car in normal driving.
Because it's unpredictable and inconsistent, this Civic is annoying to drive in ways my 1st gen Insight never was. That car was a treat to drive -- every mile behind the wheel was enjoyable.
D) IMA hybrids don't glide anywhere near as well as Toyotas & Fords.
The lack of a proper, automated, engine-off "neutral" glide is somewhat annoying. Optimized one pedal P&G capability is a treat this car doesn't offer.
Toyota does automatic transmission hybrids better -- and they seem to have integrated the various hybrid functions to offer a more predictable, consistent driving experience. (It's just too bad they don't have Honda's chassis & steering.)
So, I have to change the title of this thread: after driving this car in a wider variety of conditions, I would now say, "I don't like it."
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