Honda Civic EX Sport Line 1.0 VTEC Turbo CVT

Price: £26,910

As tested: £27,435

Engine: 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol Transmission: CVT

Max power: 124bhp

Max torque: 180Nm @ 1,700 – 4,500rpm

Max speed: 124mph 0-62mph: 10.9sec

Fuel consumption (WLTP) Low: 35.8 mpg

Medium: 43.5 mpg

High: 47.9 mpg

Extra high: 39.8 mpg Combined: 42.2mpg Emissions (CO2): 107g/km

camera as standard.

There’s lots of flexibility in the powered seats and in the reach and rake of the steering wheel, so even the tallest – and shortest – drivers should be able to find a comfortable driving position. The heated seats are very supportive too, both laterally and under your legs, so long-distance journeys shouldn’t prove too much of a strain.

The quality of the materials in the passenger space is decent, even if it doesn’t quite rival the very best in class, but everything is securely bolted together. The ergonomics are much improved with all the major controls within easy reach and there are now physical controls for the infotainment system – so you’re not obliged to spend too much time interacting with the slightly fiddly seven-inch touchscreen – with a column of shortcut buttons down the side. Those allimportant climate controls are much easier to operate too.

The infotainment system also supports Android Auto and

Apple CarPlay so you can further distance yourself from the built-in software. You also get a wireless charging pad at the base of the centre console and Honda have carved out additional storage space with a hollow area just below where you’ll find USB and 12v sockets.

The Civic is incredibly practical, fun to drive and very well built but the infotainment system remains a weakness despite the changes Honda have wrought. The other issue is price. The Sport Line tweaks add a welcome dose of Type R DNA but the fact that they’re only available on top-spec EX trim pushes the cost past the ‘good value’ threshold. So, unless you absolutely it’s an absolutely must have on your shopping list, it would make more sense to wait until the Sport Line option is available on the cheaper SR.