HONDA claims it is back in a big way with this 10th-generation Civic sedan and it clearly means it both figuratively and literally.

Since the late-nineties and early-noughties the Civic, by the company’s own admission, lost its way, becoming a ho-hum three-box small sedan aimed at the North American market and without a glimmer of the innovation and quality that typified the breed since its 1972 inception.

The target market for the latest model has not changed, and indeed the Civic sedan now stretches almost as far as the just-superseded Accord Euro medium sedan, at 4644mm from tip to toe.

However, the Civic RS tested here also debuts a new 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an expressive interior design that each hint at a return to form for the beleaguered Japanese brand.

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