FOR years it was your average driver's family transport but the Honda Civic shook off this image in 2006, donning a distinctively futuristic appearance.
The new Civic is slightly smaller in length and height than its predecessor and has adopted a lower stance and wider tracking designed to dispense sharper cornering ability.
All seven of the latest Civic models come with a generous spec level, the EX range topper in the frame here including the likes of electric windows all round, sat nav, hands free phone, powered, folding and heated body coloured door mirrors, dual zone climate control, leather upholstery with heated front seats, panoramic glass sunroof, rain sensing windscreen wipers, automatic headlights and dusk sensor and rear parking sensors.
The sound system is a four speaker set up with CD and MP3 compatibility and steering wheel mounted controls. A multi function driver computer adds to the facilities as do the adaptive cruise control, front map lights and the thoughtful provision of an audible headlight-on reminder and auto dimming rear view mirror while a full complement of air bags supports the safety zone.
There are a number of storage places to be found on board including a refrigerated glovebox, two other compartments while front and rear bottle and cup holders add further to the facilities.
The interior of the revised Civic has also benefited from the use of uprated plastics and new trim materials.
There is a touch of quality in the brushed metal effect trim and matt finish, as seen in the Type R, applied to the instrument console. This adds a sportier look to the latest Civic and is easier to clean and maintain than the Piano Black trim used on earlier models.
The cabin has also retained its focus on the driver and the dashboard features a gently curving lower section in black, the upper dash gets a large LCD display and there is quality in abundance throughout with switchgear that boasts a positive feel, plus drilled alloy pedals and a floor-hinged accelerator pedal, which delivers almost instant throttle response.
Practicality, too, is very much in abundance, and while headroom in the rear may not be over generous, load space is one of the best in class, boasting a neatly squared cargo area of 485 litres with all seats taken which extends to an enormous 1,326 litres when rear seats are folded flat.
The main luggage floor can be dropped down to create a recess for taller items or shopping bags and, along with Honda Jazz-type 'magic' fold and tumble rear seating, storage space beneath occupied rear seats is another big plus.
On the outside, the five-door Coupe-style Civic has retained its space age image, a new grille and a revised rear lighting cluster being the only major changes of note to its overall shape which still turns plenty of heads as you drive by.
Paired with a superb smooth-switching six-speed manual gear change the 2.2-litre iCTDi is a decidedly smooth operator. Quick off the mark, capable of an under nine seconds to 0-62mph, this diesel revs smoothly and suffers little in the question of turbo lag.
Refined in operation, it's quiet on the move and torquy, too, delivering sufficient low down acceleration to make for easy progress with agile handling.
FAST FACTS
Honda Civic 2.2i CDTi EX GT 5dr
Price: £21,780
Mechanical: 140bhp, 2,204cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 127mph
0-62mph: 8.7 seconds
Combined mpg: 53.3
Insurance group: 11
CO2 emissions: 139g/km
BiK rating: 20%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 90,000 miles
Words: Malcolm Robertshaw