honda civic

We reported last week on how feebly powered, fuel-sipping 1990s-vintage hatchbacks have been lighting up the used car market recently due to skyrocketing gas prices. In an interesting twist to this phenomenon, I actually benefited myself somewhat from this hysteria when I had to sell my beloved natural-gas-powered 2006 Honda Civic GX last week on eBay, turning it into one of the smarter investments I made all year.

Mainstream sedans are ready for their gas-electric acid test. When it hits dealerships this spring, the Honda Civic will be the first to get a hybrid powertrain.

The battery package in the Civic is 42 percent smaller than that of its hybrid sibling, the Insight, which means more room inside.

In our tests near Palm Springs, California, the 1.3-liter four-cylinder powered the car to 60 in a respectable 11 seconds. Expect fuel economy in the high 40s, 10 mpg better than ordinary Civics.

Price: $20,000.