Performance ***
Mainstream Civics come with 1.4- or 1.6-litre petrol engines, or a 1.7-litre turbodiesel. Neither petrol unit is a ball of fire, but they are willing and flexible, making for an easy drive. The diesel has more clout as long as you keep the revs above 2000rpm, while the 158bhp 2.0 Type-S is a decent warm hatch.
Ride & handling **
The Civic hatch is extremely capable. The low-speed ride is soft, effectively absorbing lumps in the road, but the body remains well controlled at higher speeds, so passengers aren’t jostled on bad roads. The steering is light but fluent, and the standard anti-lock brakes haul the car to a swift stop smoothly and progressively.
Refinement **
Despite the blunt nose and high roof, there’s no great problem with wind noise. The main concern is road noise, which can become intrusive on coarse surfaces. The petrol engines are quiet unless you work them very hard, but the turbodiesel is too boomy.

Buying & owning ***
The hatch is priced keenly given how well equipped the car is, but haggling hard can save up to a thousand pounds. Resale values can't match those of the VW Golf, but are competitive with most of the class. Company drivers will find emissions are low, but the diesel is subject to a 3% tax penalty.
Quality & reliability ***
The hatch is priced keenly given how well equipped the car is, but haggling hard can save up to a thousand pounds. Resale values can't match those of the VW Golf, but are competitive with most of the class. Company drivers will find emissions are low, but the diesel is subject to a 3% tax penalty.
Safety & security **
The Civic offers a generous line-up of standard equipment: all have twin front airbags and anti-lock brakes, while all but the base E have side 'bags. Security is also good, with all but the E models having an alarm, although we beat the Civic's deadlocks in our 2002 Supertest.

Behind the wheel ***
It’s easy to dismiss the Civic’s cabin as drab, but that would be to overlook some of the best ergonomics found in any car. In fact, the layout and design are so good that the Civic came first in our 2002 Comfort Test. The seat and wheel have sufficient adjustment to let almost anyone get comfortable, and visibility from the raised driving position is excellent. The controls are well placed and easy to use, and the dash-mounted gearshift is slick.
Space & practicality ****
This is the Honda Civic’s trump card. As a five-door, it set new standards for accommodation. Head- and legroom front and rear shame some executive cars, while access is similarly superb. Boot space is also up with the best and every model comes with split-folding rear seats. The three-door has a slightly lower roofline and less space, but it’s still fine for two rear passengers.
Equipment ****
For the price, there’s little to touch the Civic. All have electric front windows and mirrors and a CD player, while all except the base S have air-conditioning, alloy wheels and remote central locking. SE adds electric rear windows, and even the 1.6 Executive, which has an electric sunroof and leather, is priced sensibly. Type-S adds cruise and climate control.