Motoring

Civic duty: Honda opts for hybrid power in new take on old favourite

The new e:HEV promises frugality, quality, space and practicality

To drive, the new Civic is largely about refinement and comfort, in spite of Honda’s protestations that this is the “drivers’ hybrid”

Honda has struggled somewhat in Ireland in recent years, which is perplexing. It does, after all, offer the CR-V hybrid SUV, which, if not quite motoring perfection, is a fine and frugal vehicle.

But, while Toyota’s RAV4, a rival SUV, is the fourth-bestselling car in the country right now, the CR-V languishes in 130th position in the sale charts, not helped by the fact that it is more expensive than the former.

Honda’s Civic, meanwhile, ...