Honda Civic

It’s been another fantastic 12 months for the Civic, which holds on to its compact family car title. The passage of time has done little to dull the Honda’s visual appeal – it still looks like nothing else on the road – and the recent arrival of a three-door version has given the range an even sportier edge.

However, the Civic is more than just a sharp suit – there’s serious substance beneath those futuristic lines. Take the cabin, for example. Look around and you get the feeling that the designers started from a completely clean sheet of paper, rather than working out a way of improving the old car.

And while the dual-level display may take a little bit of getting used to, there’s a logic to everything. Indeed, once you have lived with the layout for a few hours, everything else in the class looks rather old-hat.

It’s also deceptively spacious. The hidden rear door handles may give the Civic a coupé-like profile, but inside there’s enough room for three in the back. And thanks to a deep boot, it ticks all the important boxes for practicality, too. Factor in the exemplary build quality and attention to detail and you have one of the most original and well built cabins in the class.

Equally impressive is the chassis design. Civics have always had cultured road manners, and the current version continues the good work. Honda’s engineers have created a beautifully balanced and entertaining package that also majors on refinement. Throw in some great engines – including the excellent 2.2-litre i-CDTi – and it’s not hard to see why the Civic drove off with our award again this year.