WHO says you need a pot of cash to be able to afford a car that makes you feel special?
The Honda Civic is one of the sharpest-looking cars on the planet, yet it doesn't cost the Earth.
When they designed the current-generation Civic, the Japanese pencil pushers left the soft, boring lines of its predecessor behind and went for broke.
The result is a stunning amalgamation of metal that not only dazzles but also lifts your spirits when you see it blasting past you.
The rakish waistline rises sharply towards a pert rear to give the Civic a really dynamic appearance.
Coupled with the low slung front end, it all looks rather dramatic ... without being over the top.
Add to this the fine attention to detail, as well as the excellent build quality, and the Civic definitely stands out from the crowd.
But the Civic not only looks the part. It also provides a sporting edge and is a serious rival to any hot hatch that you care to mention.
The three-door Type S version offers a real alternative to the likes of the Golf GTI and the Ford Focus ST.
For starters, it boasts an even sportier, more athletic appearance than the five-door Civic thanks to the addition of subtle side skirts.
The Type S is offered in two trim levels, with the higher-specced GT featuring a panoramic glass roof, automatic headlights and wipers, as well as dual-zone climate control.
You can also load the hatch further with the option of a full-colour sat-nav unit, complete with voice control and a Bluetooth phone interface, for £1,400 extra.
The Type S is offered with either a 1.8-litre petrol or a 2.2-litre diesel, both of which produce 140bhp and are mated to a slick six-speed manual.
The diesel delivers plenty of power throughout the rev range, yet is remarkably refined and quiet. Similarly, the petrol engine goes about its business effortlessly - and you have to keep your eyes firmly on the speedo as it builds up pace rapidly.
Both powertrains can propel the Type S to 62mph in less than nine seconds, and both can keep going until the hatch dials up 127mph.
However, this excellent performance isn't to the detriment of fuel returns. The petrol version can travel more than 42 miles on a gallon, while the oil-burner stretches this to 54 miles.
In the end, your choice comes down to how much you want to spend, because the diesel commands a £1,300 premium.
But with prices starting from just £15,480, any of the Type S models will provide cutting-edge wheels for drivers seeking excitement and thrills without losing any of their sensibility.
FAST FACTS
Honda Civic 1.8i V-TEC Type S 3dr
Price: £15,480
Mechanical: 140bhp, 1,799cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 127mph
0-62mph: 8.9 secs
Combined mpg: 42.8
Insurance group: 9
CO2 emissions: 156g/km
BiK rating: 18%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 90,000 miles, 3yrs paint, 12yrs anti-rust