HONDA CIVIC VTi

PRICE $24,990 drive-away WARRANTY 3 years/100,000km CAPPED SERVICING $1397 over 3 years SERVICE INTERVAL 12 months/10,000km SAFETY 5 stars, 6 airbags ENGINE 1.8-litre 4-cyl, 104kW/174Nm TRANSMISSION CVT; FWD THIRST 6.4L/100km DIMENSIONS 4515mm (L), 1799mm (W), 1421mm (H), 2700mm (WB) WEIGHT 1289kg SPARE SpaceSpace-saver headlights, illuminated vanity mirrors, rear sensors and a fullsize alloy spare.

But some details have been overlooked. The map pockets are mesh (no security for stashing valuables) and the driver’s window is not auto-up. There is only one USB port and two 12V sockets and a 3.5mm audio input. It also lacks the Subaru’s push-button start.

The i30 has a lever handbrake versus the electric park brake of its peers.

The rear camera has guiding lines that turn with the steering (neither the sharpest or worst image we’ve seen).

Cabin design is clean and functional. Instruments (including a digital speedo) are easy to read and the controls are well placed and intuitive.

The door pockets and glovebox are huge but rear seat space and boot capacity are the smallest of the trio.

Where the i30 starts to shine,sh though, is under the bonnet.bo The 2.0-litre four iss the mostm powerful among this trio andan it’s the lightest car here.e.

Combined with a six-speed eed auto,au it gives the i30 a head startst in the 0-100km/h dash.sh. TheT i30 is the zippiest here, e, with a transmission that’s s more intuitive than the others’o CVTs, but it uses theth most fuel.

The steering is light and d precisepr and provides good feedback.fee The suspension is tautta yet comfortable over bumps.bu