10-vtec-turbo-126-s-5dr

We reckon that the 124bhp 1.0 VTEC Turbo petrol engine is all you really need. It delivers perfectly acceptable acceleration for town or motorway driving (officially the 0-62mph dash is ticked off in a reasonable 10.5sec) and it's just as perky as its chief rivals, like the Seat Leon and Skoda Octavia 1.0 TSI 110.  

1.0 VTEC Turbo 126

Naturally, with 180bhp, the 1.5 VTEC Turbo is even quicker than the 1.0 VTEC Turbo (0-62mph takes 8.2sec) and it has more low-down shove. However, it's available only in the Sport trim and doesn’t actually feel dramatically quicker on the road until you really rev it out. It will officially return an average of 46.3mpg, which is competitive with a Volkswagen Golf 1.5 TSI Evo 150. 

1.5 VTEC Turbo

This 2.0 VTEC engine is exclusively for the hot Civic Type R. While 316bhp is not class-leading, and neither is its 0-62mph sprint of 5.8sec, don’t for a second think that the Type R is a slouch. Once it's into its stride the performance is mighty, it's just that, being front-wheel drive, it’s a tad slower off the mark than its four-wheel-drive rivals. The six-speed manual gearbox is blessed with one of the sweetest changes going. It'll also average over 35mpg in the real world. 

2.0 VTEC Turbo

SR trim is our pick, because it's still a reasonable price and adds a better infotainment package with two USB ports, sat-nav, a 7.0in touchscreen and Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto, plus front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, 17in alloys, dual-zone climate control, auto wipers, power-folding door mirrors, privacy glass, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear lever, a rear centre armrest and driver's seat lumbar adjustment.

In GT guise, the Type R blends formidable performance with a degree of luxury. Additions to the standard Type R trim include dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert, power-folding door mirrors, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, an 11-speaker stereo and sat-nav.

Type R GT

EX trim adds extra safety kit including blind spot monitoring, plus you also get keyless entry and start, leather seats (heated front and rear), adaptive dampers, passenger seat lumbar adjustment, an 11-speaker stereo, wireless phone charging, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and a sunroof. It's a bit pricey, though.

Entry-level S trim isn't worth considering because you don't get a radio or alloy wheels, although you do get air conditioning, digital dials, LED headlights, automatic lights and electric windows. You also get a good crop of safety equipment. 

Worth considering if you want to keep things relatively cheap. Over and above entry-level S trim, SE gets an AM/FM/DAB radio, Bluetooth, single-zone climate control, 16in alloy wheels, electric door mirrors, an eight-speaker stereo with audio controls on the steering wheel, a USB port, a rear wiper, a tonneau cover for the boot, a rear map pocket, and a 5.0in infotainment touchscreen. 

Sport trim is the only trim that's available with the 1.5 VTEC Turbo engine. It is based on the SR trim but adds red seat stitching, a rear spoiler and diffuser plus black 17in alloy wheels. 

Sport

This is based on the equipment levels of the EX trim, but with additional sporty detailing such as red seat stitching, a rear spoiler and black alloy wheels. It's not really worth the money, though. 

Sport Line EX

The entry-level Type R is well equipped, with single-zone climate control, four electric windows, a DAB radio, a rear parking camera, automatic headlights and wipers, keyless entry, adaptive cruise control, adaptive suspension, privacy glass, 20in alloy wheels, traffic sign recognition and a 7.0in touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto.

Type R

A very expensive limited-run model that's not worth the extra cash. 

Type R Limited Edition

In Sport Line trim you get a more discrete rear spoiler and black seat trim. Otherwise, it matches the GT trim with upgrades over the standard Type R that include dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert, power-folding door mirrors, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, an 11-speaker stereo and sat-nav. The alloys wheels are reduced from 20in to 19in to aid comfort and reduce noise. 

Type R Sport Line

20-vtec-turbo-type-r-5dr

Hatchback

Honda is a company that doesn’t like to follow the crowd. So, while it competes in most of the traditional sectors of the car market, in each case it does something a little bit different.

The Jazz, for example, might look like just another rival to Britain’s best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta, but it’s actually much more practical than its rivals, with a flexible boot and Tardis-like interior.

The bigger Civic is also a practical choice, but it’s mainly distinguished by having eye-catching, love-it-or-hate-it styling, despite competing in a sector of the market that’s usually more conservative than a blue rosette.

And while it may not seem so radical now, Honda’s large SUV, the CR-V, was one of the first to forego any pretence of being an off-roader and instead focus on on-road driving dynamics.

HONDA

CIVIC

2.0 VTEC Turbo Type R 5dr

Honda Civic

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