Honda Civic nets car of year status (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Honda Civic nets car of year status

THE new Honda Civic has been awarded Car Of The Year 2006 status by an American magazine.

Motor Trend magazine elected the Honda Civic from a field of 28 new or substantially revised models, recognising it for its exceptional value, superiority in its class and the most significant development on the new-car scene for 2006.

"For 2006, the Civic underwent the most radical transformation in its 33-year history," said John Mendel, the senior vice-president of American Honda.

The new Civic 5-door hatchback, built exclusively for Europe in Honda's Swindon factory goes on sale from January 2006 with prices ranging from £12,685 to £18,100.

The old Civic model was this week named as the most reliable car in the country by independent warranty firm Warranty Direct.