HONDA’S small-car stalwart suffered some worrying overseas press leading up to the ninth-generation sedan’s Australian release in February, but after a spell behind the wheel of the keenly priced VTi-L auto we wonder whether some critics need to have their heads checked.

You will struggle to find a better-value quality-built C-segment sedan that is as much fun to steer, easy to resell, or as reliable.

While far from perfect, the Civic shows that the company knows its stuff after 40 years of building the series.