I’ve just bought a new car: a Honda Civic hybrid. I don’t buy cars that often. The car I just replaced was a 1994 Civic. To keep the same pace, I’ll add an entry to my calendar for 2022 to buy my next car.

I like the Civic for its gas mileage, 45 mpg highway. The extra expense over a non-hybrid Civic is actually more than I’ll save on gas over the life of the car, but I like being the change I want to see in the world.

One thing that surprised me about this car is how familiar it felt after having driven a 1994 Civic. Lots of extra bells and whistles that I’d gotten used to in my wife’s larger cars are still absent in this car.

Features in the hybrid I didn’t have in my 1994 Civic (other than the hybrid engine):

• A temperature setting in the climate control
• Front seat map lights
• A chime to alert me that I’ve left my headlights on
• An auxiliary jack for the stereo
• Electronic dashboard with thermometer, etc

Things that work in the hybrid that used to work in the 1994 Civic, but no longer do:

• Remote entry buttons
• Reliable low-speed wipers
• Rear left passenger door handle
• Exhaust system. The last thing that failed on the 94 was the exhaust. For its last two days, it sounded like a four-door Harley.

Fancy features the Hybrid doesn’t have that my wife’s car does:

• Motorized seat adjustments with memory
• Heated seats
• Lighted mirrors in visors
• Fold-in side mirrors
• Leather seats
• Separate temperature settings for driver and passenger
• Individual lights for rear passengers

I’m pleased to have a new car that just works, and especially one that does so well on gas.