My 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid is quiet, comfortable, HOWEVER, it is not as advertised. I do not get 40 mpg regardless of what the manufacturer recommends for fuel efficiency. It is rare that I get 30 mph; usually no more than 25-28 mpg. I have a "light foot" and am conscientious about using fuel saving driving techniques. I had a software upgrade to the main battery function last year, and since then my fuel efficiency has dropped drastically. They did a 5 mile test drive recently and claim they got 40.6 mpg. I haven't had 40 mpg since it was new. I am unable to achieve this mpg. The dealer (Long Beach Honda) and their corporate office in Torrance deny there is anything wrong with my car and blame it on "operator driving habits." No way! Nothing has changed in my driving habits; I contend that it is directly related to their software upgrades. Honda is denying this and trying to blame me for their technological failures. I have challenged them to allow me to sit in on the next test drive as a passenger from the time I bring it into the service department until the test is over. I have not heard from them yet and plan to get some independent evaluations before I turn it over to the NTSB. I do not trust them and have had other issues where they have denied manufacturer responsibility.

Update from Mar 25, 2011: Send your HCH complaints to the Federal Trade Commission: 877 382 4357; FTCl, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20580, Attn: Consumer Response Center

Car's power has become sluggish and gas mileage plummeted due to a Honda 'software upgrade'. Honda sent a service notice to have the car's software upgraded, which I did. The dealer said the upgrade was meant to improve performance and prolong the life of the battery. The truth is that batteries have an extended warranty period and seem to be failing, which presents a huge liability for Honda. Instead of stepping up and taking care of customers, Honda has decided to create a solution for them that costs owners plenty through an extreme drop in gas mileage (mileage went from 40mpg to 30mpg) and sluggish performance that puts drivers lives in jeopardy. This obscene action by Honda will result in a hit to their brand much like the recent Toyota brake issues as the government will be asked to investigate since they paid hefty rebates for the gas mileage improvements. Its a shame that Honda has decided to 'take the low road' rather than doing the right thing. Do yourself a favor and stay away from Honda...by the way, I went to the service manager at my local Honda dealer with the problem...he said there is a rash of similar issues but Honda will not do anything about it. He suggested calling Honda directly and then my congressman. Wow!!!

I have been to the dealership at least 7 times the past year, and no one can tell me why my miles per gallon is 22-35... when the car is supposed to get 62+!!! It has been a real nightmare. I have been given a loaner vehicle on 4 occasions, and finally the corporate office has got involved, and told the dealership, what to adjust, tune, trim, they ram state of the art tests and now finally, everything seems to be ok. It has been a year of sheer hell. First, replacement of faulty wheel bearings, recalls, computer upgrades, tire adjustments. Time will tell if I will get anywhere near what Honda tells me the car is now getting... 72 mpg's!!! Can't wait.

EPA estimates, which Honda used in their advertising at the time, were 49/51. I average 39 mpg, with my highest tank netting 42 mpg. I now have 30k+ miles on the car. I have taken it to five (5) Honda dealerships and basically get, "that's too bad". Same with Honda corporate. I even had Honda personnel drive with me to verify my driving habits (conservative, I've always exceeded mpg estimates on ALL my other cars). On Honda Service test drives, they reportedly got 51 mpg and 45 mpg. I would be happy getting 45 mpg. On a random review of five other random Honda Civic owners (various years), I've been told they get from 42 to 55 mpg, but I cannot speak to these driver's habits. That said, I like this car very much, but would really like to have it fixed so that I receive the mpg as advertised.