FOR more than three decades, Honda has been performing its Civic duty for the benefit of UK car buyers, an exercise which began in 1972 with the launch of the first generation of its neat and nifty little hatchback.
The original Civic was Honda's 70s vision of an affordable yet comfortable and fun-to-drive car and, by the time the Japanese car maker switched passenger car manufacturing to its Swindon plant in 1994, five generations of the Civic had been produced.
When production of the seventh generation Civic ceased in 2005, more than 16 million had been sold worldwide of a model which is now Honda's best seller globally and represents 30 per cent of the carmaker's total sales since 1972.
While three-door Civic buyers will have to wait until January, 2007, the five-door derivative of Civic Mark VIII has been on the UK scene since February.
The newcomer arrived all dressed to thrill, displaying stacks of style in a sleek, coupe-like body which stands low on the tarmac with a wide, muscular stance delivering an undeniable presence, definitely designed to attract a younger clientele than its predecessors.
The new Civic comes with three engines on offer - a brace of petrol power plants in the 1.4-litre 81bhp and 1.8-litre i-VTEC housing 140bhp - and a 2.2-litre 138bhp oil-burner.
Trim levels are fourfold, S, SE, Sport, ES and EX, which become progressively more generous, topping out with the EX model which comes with DVD satellite navigation as standard.
The entry level S model includes the likes of electric windows all round, powered and heated door mirrors, 12-volt power outlet, a clever trip computer, sizeable lockable glovebox, cup and bottle holders, bootlight and map lights, plus a number of security items as standard including deadlocks, immobiliser and alarm.
There are also dual front and side airbags and side impact protection beams at S level while driver safety aids include ABS braking with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist to help rein in the power plus Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) to help keep drivers on the right road.
The 1.8-litre ES-trimmed model which adds four-speaker sound system with CD and steering wheel-mounted controls, dual zone climate control, rain sensing windscreen wipers, cruise control, automatic headlights and a panoramic glass roof.
Front seat occupants are well catered for in a generously set out cabin. The boot is generous, too, delivering family-size cargo space of 485-litres with all seats taken and 1,352-litres with rear seats folded - the pull of a lever creating room enough to take on board a couple of mountain bikes with front wheels removed.
The boot also houses a below floor "secret" storage area.
As you would expect from a Honda, there is a solid look and feel to the fabrics and plastics and, in addition to use of the high quality materials, there is much attention to detail in evidence as you settle down in comfortably supportive seats designed for you to sit-in rather than sit-on.
The futuristic look to the cabin design, which includes a digital speedo set high on the dash, which may not suit everyone, and a three-dimensional look to the main body of the deep dashboard, does not detract from its information-providing practicality.
The driver's seat has been set higher than in the outgoing model. However, some may find that the rear spoiler - attached to the rear screen - impinges somewhat on the quality of overall vision while, despite Honda's insistence that the rear window's water-repellent coating means there is no need for a rear wiper, not all drivers are likely to agree.
Paired with a smooth-slotting six-speed manual gearchange, the 1.8-litre petrol engine delivers a refined performance, responding eagerly to the throttle, its 140bhp enabling the 0-62mph dash to be arrived at in under nine seconds, a top speed of 127mph and returning around 44mpg over a route of mixed driving.
The new Civic's suspension is set up on the firm side which contributes to a firmish ride. However, the Civic handles in competent fashion.
Overall, the new Civic is a handsome, roomy family car which offers head-turning good looks on the outside and some clever touches on the inside while providing room for five adults and some decent cabin stowage capacity.
FAST FACTS
Honda Civic 1.8i-VTEC ES 5dr
Price: £15,650
Mechanical: 140bhp, 1,799cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 127mph
0-62mph: 8.9 secs
Combined mpg: 44.1
Insurance group: 9
CO2 emissions: 152g/km
BiK rating: 17%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 90,000 miles, 3yrs paint, 12yrs anti-rust