Honda Civic review

Car manufacturers can’t afford to stand still these days. With technology developing at a runaway pace, and tastes in fashion that change with the phases of the moon, every new car buyer is worth fighting for. One car that certainly hasn’t been left behind by progress is the Honda Civic.

Honda’s Civic family hatchback has been a fixture on Britain’s roads for as long as the Volkswagen Golf, and far longer than the Ford Focus or Seat Leon. Throughout its lifetime, every new generation of Civic has come as little short of a reinvention, and that’s certainly true of the latest version, which is longer, lower and wider than the car it replaced.

It also has a more sophisticated suspension set-up, and, along with its bold looks, Honda hopes the changes will help the Civic outgun rivals such as the Skoda Octavia and Vauxhall Astra. There’s also been a complete rethink inside, too, with a substantial boost in interior quality, and a lot of thought has gone into increasing refinement. But is it enough to beat the desirable Volkswagen Golf?

You can choose between two petrol engines and one diesel, with a stunningly quick 316bhp 2.0-litre Civic Type R crowning the range. And, though a menu of seven trim levels might seem a bit confusing, the sheer variety of equipment levels and price means there’s something to suit most buyers.

Read on to find out if the latest Honda Civic should be at the top of your family car shortlist. We’ll tell you how it drives, how much space there is inside and which trim level makes the most sense. And, if a Civic ticks all the right boxes for you, head over to our New Car Buying pages to see what kind of saving What Car? can offer.