Driven: Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC It's a bit quieter than the 2.2, too, but refinement isn't one of the 1.6-litre diesel engine's strengths - compared with many European rivals" diesel engines it's rather noisy. With a significantly (47kg) lighter engine up-front, the 1.6 is a bit more nimble than the 2.2, which already handles well enough. High-speed stability is excellent and the steering responds quickly, but there's an eery shortage of sensation through the wheel. The ride is fidgety and unforgiving around town, but improves noticeably at speed. Inside, the 1.6 i-DTEC is standard Civic, which means the ergonomics are flawed: the two-part rear window can be hard to see through, the dash display causes distracting reflections on the windscreen at night and the steering wheel obscures shorter drivers" view of the speedo. Then there's the trip computer, which requires extensive reading of the handbook before you get anywhere near mastering it. Interior quality is excellent, however, with predominantly smart materials and the sense that everything will feel just as solid and precise in a few years. A starting price of almost £20,000 looks rather steep, but similarly-equipped rival cars cost much the same and CO2 emissions of just 94g/km help to keep running costs low. Ultimately, any assessment of this car comes back to its incredible fuel economy. The general consensus is that Honda has lost its way over the past few years, but if it can achieve such impressive real-world economy from a bog-standard family hatchback then perhaps it's back on the right track. Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC Price from: £19,400 Price as tested: £23,675 Telegraph rating: Three out of five stars