To answer the second part, how it performs from a fuel consumption and environmental perspective, I don't think you'll be disappointed

The new Civic Hybrid delivers a stunning 4.7 L/100 km city and 4.3 L/100 km highway rating, allowing it a maximum driving range of about 1,000 kilometers per tank-full. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

either. Where the conventionally-powered Civic achieves an impressive 7.8 L/100 km in the city and 5.7 L/100 km on the highway, the new Civic Hybrid delivers a stunning 4.7 L/100 km city and 4.3 L/100 km highway rating, at least according to Honda EPA estimates which may err on optimism, allowing it a maximum driving range of about 1,000 kilometers per tank-full. What's more, the Civic Hybrid manages Advanced-Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) certification.

And what about safety? A set of dual stage, dual threshold front driver and passenger airbags are included standard, as are front occupant side airbags, plus side curtain airbags for front and rear outside passengers. In case you were staring at the page in

The Hybrid gets some items that are extra on other Civic models, such as an auto up/down driver's side window and auto up window on the passenger's side, power door locks, heated and remote controlled sideview mirrors, and more. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

dumbfounded shock once again, that's eight standard airbags. Dual seatbelt pretensioners and active front head restraints are also part of the standard package, as is Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) Body Structure, all combining to assist the new Civic in attaining top marks in the NHTSA NCAP crash safety tests.

The Hybrid gets some items that are extra on other Civic models, such as an auto up/down driver's side window and auto up window on the passenger's side, power door locks, heated and remote controlled body-colour sideview mirrors, body-colour door handles, cruise control, steering-wheel mounted cruise and audio buttons, variable intermittent wipers, an air filtration system, keyless entry that includes a trunk release and an engine immobilizer, front and centre console 12-volt adaptors, and an upgraded 160-watt six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system that includes an auxiliary jack for an iPod - the latter convenience exclusive to the Hybrid.