It responded marginally quicker to throttle inputs, but the biggest improvement was the simulated gear changes using the paddle shifters.
Having woefully dropped the ball with the milquetoast , it left no stone unturned with the swoopy , which revitalised the flagging C-segment sedan market and turned an entire swathe of the buying public into diehard fans.
Approaching the braking zone for the tight Turn 9 hairpin, the Civic tracked straight and true and generated a strong brake pedal feel, giving me the confidence to attack the corner.
Although its suspension is stiffer than the sporty , the R-rated version is still surprisingly comfortable.
There are a few minor drawbacks, such as elevated road noise on the highway, but overall the Civic is a great pick for a small sedan.
The rear end seems a bit more stable too, and it doesn't feel as twitchy as the older model when you unload the rear under hard braking.