Honda Civic eHEV review

This is an easier process than it used to be. Only one engine and three trims to choose from: base Elegance, mid-range Sport and range-topping Advance. Prices start at £29,595, which looks pretty punchy when, say a Seat Leon starts at under £23k

But that higher price is a reflection of there now being no ‘entry level’ powertrain, whereas almost all the rivals offer a 1.0-litre turbo triple with a temptingly low sticker price, Honda says its Civic options start in the middle of the range because it’s ditched the SE spec for this car. For similar 170-190bhp rivals, you’re looking at £30k, where the Civic is right in the mix.

What do the different specs look like?

Elegance trim has a strong kit list for your £29,595: you get Honda’s ‘Sensing’ driver assistance package thrown in – that’s lane keep assist and a self-drive-in-traffic function for the cruise control. You also get front and rear parking sensors, 17-inch rims and the smartphone-ready infotainment.

Sport costs £1,000 more, adding faux leather seats, gloss black wheels and trim and some sportier pedals. Sounds a bit limp, but it’s actually a handsome bit of kit in this spec.

Top of the line is Advance, at £32,995. To tempt you away from the lesser-specified Audi or BMW you’d have to settle for at this price, Honda’s thrown in a 12-speaker Bose hi-fi, panoramic sunroof, matrix LED headlights, the larger driver’s info screen, leather seats, a heated steering wheel and bolted 18-inch rims to the outside. Obviously.

What will it cost a month?

Honda says it’ll be offering financing starting at £360 per month on a 36-month PCP with a £1,000 Honda deposit contribution. For a similarly specced Ford Focus, we found schemes offering a £380 per month charge.

For the Honda, the lower running costs of that hybrid drivetrain could be extra tempting. An equivalent Toyota Corolla is about £360 a month. It’s arguably the prettier car, but the Honda is easily superior as a drive, and roomier too. Then again, you can have the Toyota as an estate, which isn’t possible here. Still, it’s competitive, which is what Honda was aiming for with this overhaul.