An Alternative to Full Electric? The Honda Civic Impresses

The Honda Civic proves to be a top choice for those looking for an alternative to electric. The Civic is energy-efficient and offers a more sustainable option than other larger SUVs given its lighter body type. The Civic has a full hybrid system, which showed its true colours during Green NCAP’s real-world testing conditions. Under advantageous conditions, its petrol consumption dropped as low as 3.8 l/100 km but stayed low even in aggressive driving scenarios. With 3 Green Stars and an Average Score of 56%, the Civic offers a practical, lighter-weight option with significant environmental and consumer benefits compared to other non-fully electric vehicles. 

Honda’s e:Ny1 is the brand’s debut electric SUV. Weighing 1,677 kg, this small SUV provides a usable battery capacity of 58.7 kWh, supporting a realistic 380 km range in typical driving conditions with a low energy demand of around 17 kWh/100 km in Green NCAP’s On-Road Drive test. Despite maintaining efficient energy use on the highway with 27.3 kWh/100 km, the e:Ny1 faced challenges during Green NCAP’s Cold Ambient Test (-7°C), where energy demand spiked to 40.2 kWh/100 km, impacting its Greenhouse Gas score as well. However, Honda’s above-fleet-average charging efficiency of 90.2% contributed positively to its rating, and the e:Ny1 achieves an Average Score of 94% and earns 5 Green Stars.

Euro NCAP recently tested the Jeep Avenger for its safety performance, where it achieved a meagre 3-star safety rating. The car fares better in Green NCAP’s environmental testing, with low energy consumption figures in all scenarios. Its usable battery capacity is 51 kWh, slightly lower than the Honda e:Ny1’s, but the winter conditions testing showed better results for the Avenger at 29 kWh/100 km, gaining the car a higher score. In average conditions, the Jeep manages a range of 360 km. With a top score of 97%, the Avenger obtains 5 Green Stars. 

Other models tested, such as the Mercedes-Benz GLC with its diesel powertrain, also displayed notable qualities. This mild-hybrid SUV demonstrated exceptional cleanliness of its exhaust gases. The GLC’s advanced pollutant control systems resulted in extremely low particle emissions, reaching near-ambient air quality levels in Green NCAP’s tests. Despite its size and combustion engine powertrain, the GLC’s robust emissions abatement allows it to achieve scores that make it one of the cleanest diesel options on the market. While diesel cars often face criticism over pollution, the GLC’s performance proves that, when engineered with precision, they can maintain low environmental impact. Also, thanks to the proper utilisation of the 48 V diesel powertrain efficiency potential, the Mercedes GLC receives an Average Score of 55% and earns 3 Green Stars. 

The MINI Countryman, a family hatchback with SUV characteristics, is equipped with a 2-litre turbocharged petrol engine supported by a 48 V mild-hybrid system. While pollutant emissions are managed effectively and the Countryman demonstrates strong Clean Air behaviour, it scores poorly in the Greenhouse Gas Index, typical for larger fossil-fuelled vehicles. Though its measured consumption values are not impressive, they remain creditable for a vehicle of its size and powertrain. Overall, the MINI claims 2½ Green Stars and an Average Score of 46%. 

In the compact SUV category, the Škoda Karoq, equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine delivering 110 kW of peak power, demonstrated reliable pollutant management, leaving little room for improvement in particulate emissions. Fuel consumption varied with conditions, recording a low of 5 l/100km in the On-Road Drive and peaking at 7.8 l/100 km in the Highway Test, typical for this vehicle type and powertrain. Overall, the Škoda Karoq achieves an Average Score of 52% and earns 3 Green Stars. 

The Subaru Crosstrek – with a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, permanent all-wheel drive, and a CVT transmission – targets consumers who need a reliable and robust vehicle, suitable for both everyday use and off-road drives. The combination of Subaru’s traditional boxer engine with a 118 V hybrid system, known as the e-BOXER, supports electric driving in low-load situations. However, high-load scenarios like Green NCAP’s Highway Test led to an increased use of fuel, in turn impacting the Greenhouse Gas score. Despite positive results in pollutant control and its hybrid system, the Crosstrek only manages to gather 2 Green Stars with an Average Score of 39%.