But hold on? How can a $28,500 economy car make economical sense? Well, good point. It probably doesn't. I mean, do the math.

Last year's $28,500 Civic Hybrid (shown) didn't make as much economical sense, but at $2,700 less the $25,800 2006 Civic Hybrid might even be a smart financial move. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

With the top-line gasoline powered Civic sedan, in 2005 trim at least, reaching a final selling point of $22,700, there were 5,800 reasons not to go hybrid. But that was then and the 2006 Civic Hybrid is now, and along with this much improved machine comes a much easier, much more palatable purchasing decision. Load up a 2006 Civic sedan to a conventionally-powered Civic's top-line $23,000 EX automatic trim and you'll only need to buck up an extra $2,800 for the Hybrid, which, like the previous Civic Hybrid, features extras over and above its innovative drivetrain making it a much more appealing vehicle than the gasoline-only version. In case your eyes are complementing the vacant expression

The new Hybrid enjoys all of the design upgrades that make the conventional Civic sedan a real head-turner, and a few unique details such as turn signals integrated into the sideview mirrors. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

on your face by flicking back and forth from shock, that's a reduction of $2,700 over last year's much less enticing compact HEV.

OK, enough already, the new Civic Hybrid is a good deal. So what makes it all that more enticing than the old model? Well, styling for one. The new Hybrid enjoys all of the design upgrades that make the conventional Civic sedan a real head-turner, such as a sportier front end treatment incorporating sharply angled headlamp clusters, a new chromed grille insert, flowing character lines that run from the front wheel arches, across the car's shoulders and through to the its tail end, bypassing raked A-pillars and large exterior mirrors, integrating unique triangular turn signals - exclusive to the Hybrid.