New Honda Civic automatic review

Honda's diesel Civic makes a decent proposition for those doing high miles, but how does it rate when paired with an automatic transmission?
Adding an auto option to the Civic diesel hasn’t transformed Honda’s family car offering, but if you’re in the market for a self-shifting family hatchback that can do serious mileages between refills, then the i-DTEC auto should definitely be on your list. Just be aware, of course, that you are taking a hit in efficiency and driver involvement by losing the third pedal. We’d steer clear of our car’s EX trim and look further down the Civic range for better value, too.

Consumers may have caught a cold as far as diesel is concerned – but many car companies have invested lots of money in making them a more compelling choice than ever.

The Honda Civic is a good example of this; a rival for the VW Golf TDI and Ford Focus EcoBlue models, the 1.6-litre diesel version of the Japanese brand’s family hatchback is now available with a nine-speed automatic transmission. And we’ve had a chance to try it out in the UK.

• Best hatchbacks on sale

This is the first time that the Civic has been offered with a diesel auto option. The combination is available with both the five-door hatchback variant and the recently introduced four-door saloon – and you can also order it with any of the Civic’s myriad trim levels.