Honda Civic Sport 1.4 i-VTEC – an entry-level model with the looks of the Civic Type R

The Honda Civic 1.4 i-VTEC has been launched as an entry-level model, with a 1.4 litre petrol engine and (some of) the looks of the Civic Type R.

There’s a new Honda Civic heading for showrooms at the end of the year, so Honda is busy playing with its current range of cars to keep sales buoyant between now and the new Civic.

That means the Civic range will be available as a Sport, SE or SR, with the Civic Sport the entry-level model. And this, the Honda Civic 1.4 i-VTEC, will be the entry-level version of the entry-level model.

With prices from £18,360, the Sport 1.4 gets Honda’s 1.4 litre i-VTEC petrol engine which delivers a modest 99bhp and 96lb/ft of torque, which is just about enough to get to 62mph in a modest 13 seconds and on to 116mph. Emissions are 131g/km.

If the prospect of the performance from the 1.4 litre petrol is less than appealing, you could opt for 1.8 litre petrol with 140bhp (or if emissions/economy are more important, the 1.6 litre diesel may appeal).

Honda are pitching the new 1.4 litre Civic Sport as a bit of a sheep in wolf’s clothing, with its 17″ alloys and rear spoiler endowing it with a touch of Civic Type R appeal.

Philip Crossman, Honda UK MD, said:

The addition of the 1.4-litre petrol engine version of the Sport strengthens our Civic family line up and makes the more aggressively styled version of our popular family hatchback more accessible.

The smaller engine makes the Civic Sport more economical and more efficient and therefore a much more attractive proposition.

The new Honda Civic Sport 1.4 i-VTEC will be on sale at Honda’s UK showrooms in May, with prices from £18,360.