HONDA decided not to try making one model be all things to all men with its new Civic. Instead, the Japanese company has given us two new Civics - one for those wanting an efficient and commodious urban runabout, and one for those wanting a regular small sedan. The practical five-door hatchback version is an object lesson in functionality with amazing interior space and plenty of good design features - such as a flat floor running from front to rear - while also being politically correct with an efficient, low-emission engine. Despite the practicality, it could do with a little more functionality inside and it's something of a surprise that ABS is not even available.

Honda Civic
Released: November 1998
Ended: September 2000
Family Tree: CivicToday's five-door Civic has no local predecessor. Only sedans and three-door hatchbacks have been offered here in the past. With a front end incorporating massive headlights, the Civic looked startling in 1998. Engines were an 88kW 1.6-litre 4-cylinder, or a 93kW version used in the VTi coupe.
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