Honda Civic Hatchback 2006 - Present

The Honda Civic has been a safe choice for UK motorists for seven generations of car. It has a reputation for reliability that has been hard won, although has left the car with a rather conservative image. With the latest version of the Civic Honda is looking to bring the average owner age down in the 25-40 age group from the current age of 58.

Approaching the new Civic you are immediately struck by it’s new styling. The new look is bold and only time will tell how well it ages but there's something reminiscent of Buck Rogers about it. The front headlights are enclosed in something that looks like a glass visor. It is distinctive, but may look dated quite quickly.

Simplicity is the key for the engines coming in three options. The 1.8 petrol version is a cracking little unit delivering the car from standing to 100 kmh (62 mph), in 8.6 seconds and topping out at 127 mph. Honda didn’t supply the 1.4 version but with a yawn inducing 0 – 60 time of 14.1 seconds I think it’s fair to say that while trying to crack the younger market, they haven’t turned their back on their current backers. As ever it’s the diesel engine that delivers the best figures for both performance and economy, shaving 0.3 seconds from the 1.8’s 0-60 time and still returning 55 mpg. The petrol engines offer economy in the mid forties so are hardly thirsty.

The ride is firm and offers good manners on the road. The Civic corners with confidence and will remain true to the driver’s wishes in all but the most dramatic of driving manoeuvres. The ride can be a little firm but it copes with the urban terrain with little fuss.

The Civic is slightly eclipsed by some of it’s rivals but offers a lot of car for the money. It’s reliability record alone demands that it’s considered it you want a small family car.

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