When the Honda Civic hybrid comes on sale this side of the Atlantic next year, it won't be noticed much.

Because, unlike the Toyota Prius, world leader in commercialisation of the hybrid concept of having both petrol and electric power, the Civic hybrid looks just the same as any other Civic Saloon.

And, as anyone who has driven the Prius knows, there's no great difference in actual driving of these cars, except that there's a much greater distance between fuel stops.

The price to buy, of course, will be problematical, but the hybrid Civic retails in the US for just 2,000 euros more than the ordinary car. We suspect that may not be an economic premium for Honda, but perhaps they're prepared to recoup their R&D costs over a much longer period of time.

And all who have driven it so far are surprised at how much all is changed but all is yet the absolute same. Maybe even better. Well, CERTAINLY better, with that 61+mpg performance.

Downside? Yep, no flip-over rear seatback, because the battery that does a lot of the driving is parked behind it. That's also the reason you'll not see it in the hatchback versions of the Civic in the forseeable future. (And remember, hybrid is only an INTERIM technology - Honda, like the other majors, is hastening even more quickly towards the fuel-cell of the increasingly-near future.)

The car in the US comes with a choice of manual 5-speed or (like the Prius) a CVT autobox. The engine is a 1.3-litre four, outputting 85bhp, and because of the electro-ICE configuration, maximum usable torque is in there at just 1500rpm, giving the car a real strong low-down pulling power. The electric motor adds another 13bhp and that low-down pulling power. It is mounted between the engine and the transmission and kicks in when moving away from a dead stop or when acceleration is needed on the highway.

At a cruising speed or under deceleration, the electric motor turns into a generator, and builds up the power in the battery, which is a lithium-ion unit weighing 63 lbs.

On the road, the car performs just like any other Honda Civic, though with the manual shift and that low-down torque from the electric motor boost, a manual downshift can give a much more fun performance than in the basic petrol car. And there's no difficulty in transporting a full load of four people in a very normal way across the very normal regular journey terrains that another Civic would do just as well.

The comfort is, well, Honda Civicish. What else? That's what it IS, man, not trying to be anything else than efficient and reliable transportation for the medium family. There aren't special seats or anything else to help woo you down the green eco-road.

There's a slightly harder ride, because the hybrid car is fitted with low rolling-resistance tyres. But we're used to this kind of ride on this side of the Atlantic, so another reason why those who buy will feel right at home.

And there's another thing which is likely to be a plus. Buying a Honda Civic hybrid is not making a loud statement to anyone about your wish for a green planet (tree-hugger), or for better fuel economy (skinflint), or to be different (egotist). You'll buy this because you simply WANT to, for whatever your reasons, and nobody's going to know unless you choose to tell them.

So while everybody knows you're a tree-hugger/skinflint/egotist when you buy a Prius, and privately figure you're nuts along with it to be paying top-end Avensis prices for a Corolla-sized car that doesn't even look as good as that latter and will depreciate horribly over the five years you'll really have to keep it, you can actually keep your eco-fetish fairly well in the closet by going for the Honda.

There is a badge on the back, but you can have it removed. And most people wouldn't notice the slightly more sci-fi instrumentation, which includes a monitor for fuel consumption and a Charge/Assist gauge so you know whether the electric motor is working for you or for the battery.

Other than that, you'll want to make sure you do EVERYTHING when you stop for petrol on a good long run. Because you won't be having to stop for petrol again for a long time.