HONDA'S seventh-generation Civic, which went on sale on January 5, has the ambitious target of doubling the company's sales in its sector. Its confidence stems from a series of customer clinics held to find out what buyers wanted from the new Civic, the results of which helped design the new package.

With a shape that apes the current design of compact MPVs, the Civic does appear to offer something different compared with the likes of the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and Peugeot 306.

But it will take more than a passing glance to convince drivers that something truly different lies beneath the appealing but slightly dull exterior. To this end, the Civic comes with a competitive price strategy and comprehensive standard equipment lists. All Civics come with air conditioning, ABS, front and side airbags, electric front windows and electric mirrors, remote central locking and deadlocks.

Our test car was the medium-spec 1.4 SE, which should be a strong seller, using a revised 1.4-litre engine, which does without the VTEC technology available in the 1.6-litre.