2016 Honda Civic: First Drive

A complete re-engineering transforms Honda’s stalwart compact car from a middle-of-the-road option into a class leader.

What is it? A four-door compact sedan. There will be a coupe, a five-door hatchback, and Type-R derivatives, as well as a performance Si trim.

Price range: $19,475 to $27,335

Competitors: Chevy Cruze, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla.

Alternatives: Subaru WRX, Toyota Prius, Volkswagen Golf

Pros: Comfortable and composed ride; plush, spacious interior; good fuel economy; and relatively fun to drive.

Cons: Peppier than its predecessor, but could use an even bigger boost of power.

Would I buy it with my money? Yes. Honda has done an exceptional job evolving this car and recapturing its mojo.

The Honda Civic has always been a popular choice for car buyers looking for simple, affordable and reliable transportation. The Japanese carmaker has sold more than 10 million of them here in the United States, and 35 million worldwide since its introduction in 1973.

Recently, however, the shine has worn off. Back in 2008, the Civic accounted for more than 15 percent of all compact car sales (almost 340,000 cars) in this country. Last year, that figure slid to less than 13 percent, or about 326,000 cars.

So why is the Civic losing traction? The competition simply caught up. The current model, which hit the streets in 2012, was a disappointment, universally panned for lackluster looks, performance and amenities. Even a hasty redesign in 2013, which was meant to give the car an infusion of sizzle, didn’t make the grade, especially when compared to competitive models like the Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra.

So when I went to test the 2016 Civic recently in Northern California, I was skeptical. Was Honda going to launch another ho-hum redesign so it wouldn’t lose any more market share by offending “core” customers?

The answer: A hearty hell no.