Good looks at right price

Do you yearn for a Honda Civic Type R but can’t stretch to £30,000 for the 306bhp fire breather – or the steep insurance and fuel costs?

Then Honda has a suggestion for you. The car maker is launching a Civic that has some (but not all) of the mean looks of the Type R but with tamer performance and a more sensible price tag.

The 1.4 litre i-VTEC Sport will cost from £18,360 when it goes on sale next month. With 99bhp the petrol engine develops just a third of the power of its hot hatch brethren, sadly.

However, it emits 131g/km of CO2 and should break 50mpg, keeping running costs affordable.

The engine joins the existing 118bhp 1.6-litre diesel and 140bhp 1.8-litre petrol available on Sport models.

Exterior updates include a colour coded rear spoiler and darkened 17-inch alloy wheels.

Those seeking Type R design cues should look at the lower mesh grille on the front-end and black roof lining in the cabin. Equipment such as climate control, reversing camera and DAB radio comes as standard.

Honda is currently readying an all new Civic for 2017.

Meanwhile, research by online firm BookMyGarage.com has revealed what motivates Scots when they choose where to have their cars repaired. It found:

People in Scotland value trust highly, with half (48%) saying it is the reason they are attracted to a particular garage.

Also important is quick diagnosis and knowledge with two in 10 (19%) saying it’s the reason they go to their current garage.

Transparency of costs is another key factor – 13% say they are drawn back to their current garage because it gives them a clear summary of the costs involved.

Brand names hold little influence. Only 6% of people in Scotland – just over one in 20 – are attracted to a garage because it is a major household name.

The Civic Sport has a smart appearance but costs much less than the Civic Type R.