Overall rating:

It may not be quite as exciting to look at or indeed drive as the old car, but family buyers aren't always after excitement. However, if they do want a Honda Civic that is more composed, more grown up and a better all-rounder than before then this new model could just be it.

Key Facts

Model tested: Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC ES
Pricing: £18,995
Engine: 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body style: five-door hatchback
Rivals: Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra, Volkswagen Golf
CO₂ emissions: 143g/km
Combined economy: 47.1mpg
Top speed: 134mph
0-62mph: 9.1 seconds
Power: 142hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 174Nm at 4,300rpm

Inside & Out:

When the previous generation Honda Civic broke cover it wowed the world with its sharp creases and space-age details - check one out now and it's still a striking family hatch. In comparison this new model looks like a step backwards; it has slab sides, a humdrum stance and uninspired surface detailing. It still stands out against its competitors, but it's nowhere near as appealing as the previous car.

Thankfully the interior is an improvement - soft touch plastics and solid switchgear feature throughout. We even got used to the digital instrument display, though noticed the ECO indicator stayed green almost no matter how we drove the car. Visibility out of the split rear screen is still awkward, though the clever folding rear seats are usefully easy to operate.

Ride & Handling:

Honda's Civic still feels light on its feet, and if you're in the mood for some hustling then it's actually quite good fun too. There's plenty of resistance towards understeer and though the steering could do with more feedback the wheel is accurate enough.

The suspension is well-judged as well, allowing for the aforementioned back-road fun without any compromise on comfort at motorway speeds. Even around town it does its best at soaking up any sharp imperfections, though there is the occasional surface change where it's caught out.

Engine & Transmission:

The 1.8-litre four-cylinder unit may not stack-up very highly on paper, but on the road it's anything but underwhelming. The 0-62mph sprint is over in a fairly brisk 9.1 seconds, though the lack of low down torque does mean that only the rapidly changing numbers on the speedo confirm how quickly you're accelerating. It's smooth all the way through the rev range as well, and though the unit doesn't have an exciting soundtrack it is never anything but unobtrusive. Its eagerness for the redline, combined with the slick short throw gearbox, means that despite the deficit of low-down urge you don't really notice any lack of performance on the move.

Equipment, Economy & Value for Money:

Our car was a mid-spec ES model, which benefits from 16-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth, dual-zone climate control, a rear parking camera and cruise control all fitted as standard. In fact the only real thing missing off the equipment list was a satnav, but for that you'll need the EX version - or you could save yourself some cash and splash out on a portable device instead.

Standard stop-start (which is both smooth and quick) means emissions are down to 143g/km so annual road tax is £135. But though the official combined economy figure is 47.1mpg, in our time with the car we averaged below 40mpg, the price you have to pay for a lack of low-down torque. At least the firm has a reputation for reliability, so you're not likely to spend too much time in the workshop.

Thanks to www.stenaline.co.uk for assistance with the ferry crossing to Ireland.