Priced from £16,995 for the entry-level 1.4 i-VTEC S, the 2014 Civic been engineered to feel more agile and responsive, thanks to the re-tuned front and rear dampers for enhanced body control. Meanwhile the EPS (Electronic Power Steering) has been re-tuned to improve high-speed stability and the rear suspension has been re-aligned to further improve handling.

The 2014 Civic also gains the new 1.6 i-DTEC diesel engine, which offers 118bhp and 221lb.ft along with official combined fuel economy of 78.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 94g/km. The line-up also includes 1.4 and 1.8 i-VTEC petrol engines.

Styling has also been revised, with several exterior and interior enhancements to give a more distinctive and sports inspired look and feel. Changes to the exterior styling focus on the rear of the car, with the introduction of privacy glass to the rear window. Smoke-coloured rear combination lights have also been introduced, along with a new licence plate, tailgate, and lower bumper finish, all in piano black. There’s also a new front bumper finish also in piano black, darker wheel arch finishes and new 17-inch aluminium wheels finished in silver and black. Additionally, subtle cosmetic changes to the interior further emphasise the quality feel of the Civic.

The 2014 Civic also offers as an option a comprehensive range of new advanced safety systems known as “Driver Assistance Safety Pack” which was introduced recently on the new Civic Tourer and uses two new suites of sensor-based active and passive safety systems.

Leon Brannan, head of cars at Honda (UK), commented: ‘The Civic is an important model for Honda, and as such we are constantly looking at how we can further enhance its "Sporting and Advanced" characteristics. With the much-anticipated new Civic Type R on the horizon, these changes very much point to the direction that we continue to take with the Civic range.’