Those seeking exceptional fuel efficiency in an affordable mainstream model should consider Honda's ever-popular Civic. Honda has sharpened its electrification strategy with the availability of two hybrid trims in its refreshed 2025 Civic lineup. The model’s new Sport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid variants rise to the top of the Civic family, combining fuel efficiency with more performance than any non-Type R Honda Civic before them.
The Civic hybrid is expected to account for about 40 percent of model sales, signaling Honda’s commitment to electrification while maintaining affordability in its compact car lineup. With an EPA-estimated 50 mpg in the city and 47 on the highway, Civic Hybrid not only offers class-leading efficiency but also brings a performance upgrade over Civic’s standard gasoline trims.
This isn’t the first time Civic has gone hybrid. Honda previously offered the Civic Hybrid from 2003 through 2015, during a period when hybrids were still establishing themselves in the mainstream market. After a decade-long absence, Honda has not reintroduced the Civic Hybrid with far more advanced technology, reflecting both how the market has matured and how the company’s own hybrid systems have evolved.
Honda’s latest two-motor hybrid system delivers 200 horsepower and 232 lb-ft torque. This makes the hybrid variants quicker than the outgoing 1.5-liter turbo Civic while delivering excellent efficiency. Linear Shift Control, a feature designed to mimic traditional gear changes, adds familiarity to the otherwise seamless hybrid driving experience.
Four levels of regenerative braking can be selected via steering wheel paddles, letting drivers tailor the level of deceleration and energy recovery. Combined with multiple drive modes – Econ, Normal, and Sport – the hybrid Civic allows drivers to optimize powertrain response for efficiency, comfort, or performance. The top Sport Touring Hybrid also introduces an Individual mode with customizable settings.
Honda has tuned the Civic hybrid with unique springs, dampers, and tires to match the added performance while preserving the model’s reputation for accessible driving fun. Hybrid trims benefit from the quietest cabins in the lineup thanks to Active Noise Control and additional sound-deadening measures, with Sport Touring models gaining resonator wheels for even greater refinement. This tuning underscores Honda’s effort to ensure the hybrid isn’t just the most efficient Civic. it’s also one of the most enjoyable to drive.
While the 2025 Civic receives updated styling across the board, the hybrid trims feature subtle cues that distinguish them from gasoline models. A more aggressive front fascia is complemented by a body-colored headlamp garnish and lower spoiler exclusive to the hybrid variants. The Sport Touring Hybrid receives its own machine-finished wheel design, while all Sport trims ride on 18-inch black wheels.
Four new exterior colors are available, including Blue Lagoon Pearl for sedans and Sand Dune Pearl for hatchbacks. Inside, hybrids can now be ordered with a gray interior, while the Sport Hybrid adds standard equipment like a moonroof, heated front seats, and dual-zone climate control. The Sport Touring Hybrid upgrades further with leather seating and a premium 12-speaker Bose audio system.
Technology has been a key focus in this refresh. Hybrid trims benefit from more advanced infotainment, with the Sport Touring Hybrid features a larger 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a wireless phone charger. This top trim also introduces Google built-in for the first time in a Civic. With native Google Maps, Google Assistant, and app integration via Google Play, drivers can enjoy a more connected and voice-driven experience, backed by a complimentary three-year data plan. All Civic models now feature front USB-C ports.
Every Civic highlights safety with Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure and the brand’s full suite of Honda Sensing driver-assist technologies. This includes collision mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. All Sport trims also feature blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert.
While hybrids headline the lineup, Civic LX and Sport trims are also available with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine to broaden the model’s already-wide appeal. This ensures Honda retains an affordable $24,250 entry point for younger or budget-conscious buyers while gradually shifting more of the lineup toward electrification.
Hybrid power aligns one of Honda’s most important models with the brand’s broader electrification roadmap. The combination of efficiency, performance, and refinement positions the Civic Hybrid to appeal to longtime Civic fans while attracting buyers who want hybrid benefits without giving up driving enjoyment. Civic Hybrids are also within reach of mainstream buyers with the Sport Hybrid’s price of entry $28,750 and the Sport Touring Hybrid $31,750.
For a nameplate that has defined compact car value for over 50 years, the hybrid Civic represents both a nod to the future and a return to the formula that has always made Civic successful: delivering more than expected in an affordable, approachable package.
There was a time when environmental leadership in the auto industry was a scarce commodity. Seventeen years ago, when Green Car Journal announced its first Green Car of the Year® in Los Angeles, it was difficult to identify more than a few dozen truly worthy vehicles to be considered for the honor. Today it is a formidable challenge in a different way. Now, analyzing the expansive field of green cars that champion greater environmental performance can be downright mind numbing, along with the process of honing the list down to a manageable number of candidates for each of our Green Car Awards™.
Still, this is a great problem to have and we’re up to the challenge. In fact, we celebrate the difficult and time-consuming process. This sheer number of greener models means that all of us benefit from the ability to buy and drive an increasing number of vehicles that champion a lighter impact on the environment.
As finalists are evaluated during the judging process, Green Car Journal weighs an array of important criteria such as environmental achievement, cost, value, safety, performance, functionality, and availability. These may vary from one award category to another. For instance, cost is less of a factor in Luxury Green Car of the Year™; greater driving range may not be as critical in Urban Green Car of the Year™; and immediate availability is less of an issue for Commercial Green Car of the Year™, since commercial fleets tend to plan well ahead and are used to scheduled batch builds of specialized vehicles. Some criteria take on more importance, such as electric driving range in most categories where EVs are considered; family friendliness in awards where passenger needs or capacity are important; and tow ratings and realistic long-distance towing and hauling capabilities in the case of Green Truck of the Year™.
There are more complex issues at play today. We’ve seen order banks for some new or popular pickups like the Ford F-150 Lightning and Ford Maverick suddenly close for the model year, which means consumers are no longer able to order one, at least at this time. Since price is an important consideration for most award categories, when we see sudden price hikes in the thousands of dollars, we also take notice. Then there’s the issue of supply chain disruptions and materials shortages that can delay a model’s expected availability. We take all of this into account and dive deep to ensure we’re as up to speed as possible to avoid potential surprises.
Green Car Journal’s Green Car Awards™ program has evolved over the years, most notably with the addition of more award categories to reflect the ever changing and expanding world of environmentally positive vehicles. Plus, along with the ‘greenest’ vehicles honored by the 2023 Green Car Awards™ program, Green Car Journal now recognizes the crucial roles that infrastructure and technology play in enabling a more sustainable driving future.
Let's get to it. Here are the winners of Green Car Journal’s prestigious 2023 Green Car Awards™:
TOYOTA CROWN – The Crown is Toyota's sophisticated new flagship that champions high fuel economy, lower carbon emissions, and appealing style. The five-passenger sedan features a stylish and high tech cabin designed to offer a premium feel. It’s powered by a 2.5-liter THS hybrid estimated to deliver 38 combined mpg, or a more powerful 2.4-liter turbocharged HYBRID MAX powerplant with 340 horsepower. On-demand all-wheel drive is standard.
Finalists for Green Car Journal’s legacy award included the Chevrolet Bolt EUV, Nissan Ariya, Toyota bZ4X, Toyota Crown, and Volkswagen ID.4.
CADILLAC LYRIQ – Featuring upscale styling and a premium theme, the Lyriq is Cadillac’s first all-electric vehicle that’s offered in single or dual motor versions with rear- or all-wheel drive. At a base price of $62,990, the Lyriq features an impressive 312 mile driving range. Satisfying performance is delivered by 340 horsepower in the single motor variant and 500 horsepower in the dual motor version.
Among this award’s finalists were the Cadillac Lyriq, Genesis GV60, Lexus RX, Mercedes-Benz EQB, and Polestar 2.
MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV – Last year’s introduction of the all-new Mitsubishi Outlander made waves with its more dynamic styling and upscale features. Now the next-generation Outlander PHEV has joined the lineup. Featuring standard all-wheel drive, the twin motor plug-in hybrid SUV now features significantly greater battery electric range of 38 miles and 420 miles overall, plus the addition of three-row seating that was unavailable in the previous generation Outlander PHEV.
Finalists included the Kia Sportage, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, Toyota Sienna, and Volvo XC40.
RAM 1500 –The RAM 1500 is a model of versatility and functionality that provides pickup buyers loads of choices. It’s available in Quad Cab and Crew Cab configurations, offers two pickup box lengths, two- or four-wheel drive, and diverse power options. These include two hybrids – a 3.6-liter eTorque V-6 and 5.7-liter eTorque HEMI V-8 – plus a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel and 6.2-liter supercharged V-8. RAM can carry payloads up to 2300 pounds tow trailers up to 12,750 pounds.
Finalists considered for this award were the Ford F-150 Lightning, Ford Maverick, Hyundai Santa Cruz, RAM 1500, and Toyota Tundra.
FISKER OCEAN – The all-electric Fisker Ocean SUV features an appealing and sporty design enhanced by an attractive and uncluttered high-tech interior. It’s available in three versions with a driving range of 250 to 350 miles. Beyond its zero-emission electric drive, Fisker is committed to making the Ocean a model of sustainability with over 110 pounds of recycled materials used in its construction, including crushed carbon fiber and plastics from bottles and fishing nets.
Finalists for this award were the Audi Q4 e-tron, Fisker Ocean, Honda CR-V, Kia EV6, and Subaru Solterra.
FORD F-150 LIGHTNING PRO – The F-150 Lightning PRO available to fleets offers 240 to 320 miles of all electric range, depending on battery pack, with a payload capacity up to 2235 pounds. Towing capability up to 10,000 pounds is ideal for urban and regional applications where long-distance towing is not required, since towing can significantly reduce electric range. It’s available with Pro Power Onboard outlets for power at job sites. A Special Services Vehicle variant is made for non-pursuit police department applications.
Finalists for the award were the Brightdrop EV600, Ford E-Transit, Ford F-150 Lightning PRO, Rivian Delivery Van, and Via Motors Chassis Cab.
MINI COOPER SE ELECTRIC – The fully electric MINI Cooper SE carries on the tradition of the MINI as a diminutive two-door hardtop with a fun-to-drive nature and go-kart handling, adding the important distinction of zero-emission operation. The Cooper SE Electric is an ideal vehicle for urban environments, offering a small physical footprint, easy maneuverability, and an electric driving range of 114 miles between charges.
Finalists included the BMW X1, Chevrolet Bolt, Kia Niro, MINI Cooper SE Electric, and Nissan Versa.
JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 4XE – The Grand Cherokee 4xe offers all the outstanding features of Jeep’s conventional SUV with the addition of plug-in hybrid capability. It’s powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder engine and two electric motors delivering a total of 375 horsepower. This Trail Rated Jeep features 25 miles of zero-emission on- and off-road driving and a combined 470 miles of range, can tow up to 6,000 pounds, and ford up to 24 inches of water since all high-volt electronics are sealed and waterproof.
Vying for this award were the RAM 1500 eTorque, Ford F-150 Lightning, Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, Jeep Wrangler 4xe, and Rivian R1T.
FREEWIRE TECHNOLOGIES BOOST CHARGER – Freewire Technologies’ Boost Charger integrates lithium-ion battery storage to eliminate the need for expensive electrical service upgrades at gas stations adding EV fast charging. Phillips 66 has installed a Boost Charger at a station near its Houston headquarters and plans to leverage its network of 7,000 Phillips 66, Conoco, and 76 branded sites with additional Boost Chargers.
Finalists included Clean Energy Fuels RNG Stations, EVgo Autocharge+, Electrify America Megawatt Energy Storage, Freewire Boost Charger, and SparkCharge Roadie.
LI-CYCLE SPOKE & HUB TECHNOLOGIES – Li-Cycle’s Spoke & Hub system recycles end-of-life lithium-ion battery packs without requiring dismantling. Batteries undergo a submerged shredding process at regional Spoke facilities in the U.S., Canada, and Europe that produces no wastewater, with the output a black mass consisting of critical metals including lithium, cobalt, and nickel. A centralized Hub facility then processes the black mass and creates battery grade materials for reuse.
Finalists considered for this award were BMW eDrive Zones, ConnectDER, Ford Home Integration System, GM Hydrotec Fuel Cell Power Cubes, and Li-Cycle Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling.
Rising above a substantial field of ‘green’ competitors to become a Green Car Awards™ candidate is a noteworthy achievement in itself. To honor these vehicles, all finalists considered in a Green Car Awards™ category are recognized for their commendable environmental achievement with Green Car Journal’s 2023 Green Car Product of Excellence™.