2003 Honda Civic Imagine

The Honda Civic, a family name in homes of many people, making middle-aged drivers everywhere feel like they own a young, hip, sportier hatch. When in reality, they don't. Apart from the 'Type R' which we're not reviewing today.

The vehicle in question is the 1.4 'Imagine', and like the Mitsubishi Lettuce, it doesn't really capture the imagination of car buyers when it comes to looks, or the name. But, after the name and kind of drab styling is actually a very good, nippy little car. Which will go forever is treated right. This Honda comes with a 1.4 packing 89 (or 88 or 90) horses under the hood and it really does take off when you give it the proverbial beans. Like most Honda's, this also does pack quite a hasty engine for a little 1398cc. Getting from 0-60mph in an impressive 11.5 seconds, and 130nm of torque means you can climb that slight hill your miserable 206 couldn't, in 4th too. It holds well when you take corners fast, it likes being quick-shifted and gets pleasure when you force your foot down. It likes Speed. It enjoys it, and so will you. When you sit down in the Civic you get a sense of quality. The knobs and dials all do what they're meant to do, and do it well. They feel hard, they don't make a sound when you turn them but you know somethings going on. The air-con is quiet and cool, the speakers are crisp and the you get 4 cup holders! That actually have clearance for bottles!  

From what I've experienced driving the Civic, and what I get from Honda, is an honest vehicle, especially with this 'Imagine' model, is a car that doesn't try too hard, it know's it's not a sports car, but it doe's give you a sporty feeling when you're inside, and enough to get ahead of that idiot in that clapped out Astra at the lights. The styling is a bit 'grandpa' but it is all it needs to be, it doesn't have big, flared arches like the Type-R, or a gigantic bore exhaust. But it doesn't need that. It's a Civic, and although it doesn't really warrant the 'Imagine' label, because it's not too different from the Civic 'Normal'. But as I said, it's everything it needs to be, you're not disappointed because you're the kind of person with Low expectations, who enjoys a surprise, and to be honest, that's what it is, a surprise.