Along with the hybrids, the Natural Gas powered vehicles are also a choice for environmentalists who want to save the planet. According to the EPA, most of the natural gas is produced domestically. The gas also burns better than gasoline, creating fewer emissions. Needless to say, that if it’s not used in vehicles, the natural gas is usually thrown away.
Compared to the standard Civic, the CNG gets less power and torque (110 horsepower and 106 lb-ft) from its 1.8-liter engine. Performance has to suffer (not that the standard’s is mind-blowing): 0 to 60 in 10.7 seconds and a drag-limited top speed of 113 mph.
The gas tank decreases the trunk’s space by half. The Range of the Honda Civic Natural Gas is just above 200 miles, which is pretty low. This car can only be refueled at special stations, so if you don’t have such a station around, don’t buy it. Granted, the CNG’s main rival is the Nissan Leaf, that gets an even smaller range, and at a higher price.
Fuel consumption in gasoline-gallon equivalence is 27 mpg in the city and 38 on the highway. Official combined is 32 mph. These values are about the same in the standard version, but the cost of driving this car per mile is lower thanks to the cheapness of natural gas.
The Natural Gas car sector still has a lot of work to do, but it’s the small steps like this car that enhance it. The Honda CNG has a starting price of $26,925.
