The Civic only scored four stars in the Euro NCAP crash test ratings at a time when most alternatives have been awarded five. The Type-R gets six airbags as standard, electronic stability control, seatbelt pre-tensioners and Isofix child seat mounting points.

The Type-R offers superb luggage space with a 485 litre capacity – that’s 100-litres more than the Ford Focus, plus the boot features a neat twin-level floor. But it’s the rear seats that are the Civic’s cleverest feature – they fold flat in one go, or alternatively the bases can be lifted up – there’s also extra storage space underneath the chairs.

This is an area where the Honda is way ahead of rivals. However there are gripes – rear visibility is obscured slightly by the spoiler in the split rear screen and there’s no rear wiper either, the bottom pane has a water-repellent coating that Honda claims clears itself – but in practice it doesn’t really work and collects dirt easily.