If you’ve noticed, Pinoys are buying more MPV’s, SUV’s and pickups for family use, while the sedan has been filling the role of TNVS, taxis and fleet vehicles. It seems we have relegated the sedan to the service vehicle. While it may seem that way, there’s one name plate that continues to be a beacon, that there is still a place in our hearts and garages for sedans. That car is the Honda Civic.

Honda Cars Philippines has been offering the RS e:HEV variant to their Civic lineup for some time now. Priced at P1.99M, it sits at the price range for larger sedans and some SUV’s. But after having driven this hybrid Civic, it certainly makes a good case for itself as it blends performance, efficiency, and everyday usability into one very good-looking package.

The Civic RS e:HEV I had the opportunity to spend a few days with, came in a new color called Canyon River Blue Metallic. This variant has an updated front end over the RS turbo that came before it. It’s got a more aggressive front end, a sharper face, and the lower air dam with a wider opening. Doors get new glossy black chrome door handles and around the rear, the taillights get black tinted lenses. It rolls on new Advanced Sport seven-spoke 18-inch matte grey alloy wheels wrapped in 235/40ZR18 95Y tires. The Z rated tires are rated for a maximum speed of up to 300-kilometers per hour, not that you want to be going that fast anyway.

As expected the cabin feels premium the moment you step inside. There are red trim touches around the cabin that ties everything together, leather and suede seats, and a layout that is modern and driver focused.

The nine-inch infotainment touchscreen has Google Built-in which integrates Google Apps and services like Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play. Google Assistant is accessed by pressing the voice button on the steering wheel and saying “Hey Google!”. For this you will need data access. You’ll get Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. USB Ports are now all Type-C. If you like your music while driving, the Bose 12-speaker audio system sounds really good.

The Civic is powered by Honda’s e:HEV hybrid system; a 2.0-liter gasoline engine that puts out 141-Ps at 6,000 rpm with 182-Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm, coupled with an lithium-ion battery powered electric motor which puts out 184-Ps with 315-Nm of torque. This is mated to Honda’s eCVT (Electrical Continuously Variable Transmission) and drives the front wheels. There are three driver selectable modes – Eco, Normal and Sport.

The Civic e:HEV is also equipped with Honda Sensing offering a comprehensive suite of active drive and passenger safety, security and convenience features. Honda Connect allows you monitor and control vehicle functions remotely via your smartphone, capabilities include security alarm alerts, remote locking and unlocking and a “find my car” functionality.

This hybrid version of the Civic has acceleration we didn’t know we were looking for, despite that fact, it can be very economical, and also be very fun to drive. That's usually a claim made rarely made with cars in this category, but this Civic can be both. Even on Econ mode.

While hybrids characteristically switch between the gasoline engine and electric motor, Honda’s system always defers to electric when there’s enough charge, especially at slower speeds, and reserves longer ICE engine running for charging at higher speeds. The paddle shifters control the strength of electric regeneration and even at moderate speeds, you can coax the battery to charge with strategic coasting and braking.

In sport mode, both ICE and electric, work together for an exciting drive, to deliver instant torque that feels more EV than hybrid.

During last year’s Department of Energy’s Fuel Eco Run, the Civic hybrid recorded an impressive 30.12 km/L, which at first may seem surprising for a car of this size, but after a few days behind the wheel, and a little effort to be economical, it can be done.

What do you get for little under P2M? Perhaps the Civic we didn’t know we’ve always wanted, a car that looks great right out of the showroom, probably not needing much in aftermarket accessories, with the ability to be economical and at the flip of a switch, a daily driver that can accelerate and handle like a sports car. With the skyrocketing gas prices, this seems this Civic hybrid is a sensible choice.