New Honda Civic from $22,390

Honda Australia has announced a $22,390 starting price for its new-generation Civic sedan, excluding on-road costs (ORCs) but including an automatic transmission.

In fact, all five variants of the latest Civic four-door, which will be followed on sale by the new Civic hatchback early next year and the Civic Type-R by late 2017, come standard with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

That's considerably more expensive than the old Civic sedan (from $18,490), but puts it on par with the most popular automatic small sedans including the Mazda3 (from $22,490), Toyota Corolla (from $22,990), Holden Cruze (from $22,090) and Hyundai Elantra (from $23,790).

Available for pre-ordering from this week and in dealerships from June, the Civic sedan range comprises the entry-level VTi and mid-range VTi-S and VTi-L, plus the sporty new RS and luxurious VTi-LX flagship.

At $24,490 plus ORCs, the VTi-S commands an $1100 price premium over the base VTi, while the VTi-L is a further $3300 upstream at $27,790, the RS commands another $4000 at $31,790 and the VTi-LX tops the range $1800 higher up at $33,590.

While all models benefit from Honda Australia's first deployment of the Japanese car-maker's 'Earth Dreams' technology with a new CVT auto, the cheapest VTi and VT-S models continue with the outgoing Civic's 104kW/174Nm 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which consumes 6.5L/100km.

All other models receive Honda's all-new 1.5-litre DOHC direct-injection turbo-petrol four-cylinder with variable valve timing electrical control (VTC) and electronic turbo waste gate, producing 127kW and 220Nm and consuming 6.0L/100km.

All models will come standard with stability control (VSA), traction control (TCS), anti-skid brakes (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), emergency stop signal (ESS), tyre pressure monitoring (DWS), front, side and curtain airbags and a reversing camera.

While the base model rides on 16-inch steel wheels with 215/55 tyres and comes with black fabric interior trim, all models get a 7.0-inch infotainment touch-screen comprising eight-speaker audio with USB and HDMI inputs, Bluetooth phone connectivity and audio streaming, Apple CarPlay with Siri Eyes Free and Android Auto with Google Voice.

Also standard across the range are LED daytime running lights, climate control, cruise control with speed limiter, driver's seat height adjustment, remote central locking, trip computer, multi-function steering wheel and power windows/mirrors.

VTi-S models add 16-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and start, mirror-integrated indicators, leather-clad steering wheel, front/rear parking sensors and LaneWatch.

In addition, stepping up to the VTi-L brings 17-inch alloys with 215/50 rubber, steering wheel gearshift paddles, dual-zone climate control, auto headlights, digital radio, illuminated vanity mirror, rear privacy glass, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding mirrors, sharkfin antenna and auto up/down for all four windows.

The sporty RS adds a sports body kit with black grille, LED headlights, LED foglights, 17-inch alloy wheels, blsack leather-appointed trim, 10-speaker 452-Watt audio, heated front seats, leather gearshifter, sunroof, dark-chrome door-handles, tailgate spoiler, sunroof, eight-way power driver's seat adjustment and RS badging.

Finally, the VTi-LX gains a range of Honda Sensing safety aids including forward collision warning (FCW), collision mitigation braking system (CMBS), lane departure warning (LDW), lane keeping assist system (LKAS), road departure mitigation system (RDM), adaptive cruise control (ACC) with low-speed follow (LSF).

Built on a light but rigid new body structure, Honda says the new model is based on four years of research and employs the most sophisticated chassis design in the history of Civic, featuring MacPherson strut front and fully independent multi-link rear suspension.

It claims extensive use of high-strength steel makes the new Civic cabin safe, refined and quiet, and it also features extensive use of soft-touch materials and boot space of up to 519 litres.

The new sedan measures 4644mm long, 1799mm wide, 1416mm high and rides on a 2700mm wheelbase. Kerb weights are 1261kg for the VTi and VTi-S and 1331kf for all other models.

Honda says the new Civic sedan represents one of the most comprehensive and ambitious product launches ever undertaken by the company, and has attracted more than 4000 enquires to its Australian website.

“The level of interest in the all-new Civic has been staggering,” said Honda Australia director Stephen Collins.

“It’s very clear the styling, packaging and dynamics of the Civic resonates with our existing customers but we’re also seeing a lot of interest from prospective customers who want more from their small car purchase.

“The all-new Civic really embodies the Honda spirit and customers will experience new levels of quality, technology, dynamics and performance. We are very confident that Civic will build on the momentum generated by the customer endorsement and popularity of the HR-V.”

Along with a new CR-V next year, both new Civic models are key planks in Honda Australia's target of 70,000 sales by 2018

More than 300,000 Civics have been sold in Australia since 1973. Both the new Civic sedan and hatch will come to Australia from Thailand.

Stand by for our first Australian drive of the new Civic on Wednesday, May 18.

2016 Civic sedan pricing (plus ORCs):
1.8 VTi (CVT) -- $22,390
1.8 VTi-S (CVT) -- $24,490
1.5 VTi-L (CVT) -- $27,790
1.5 RS (CVT) -- $31,790
1.5 VT-LX (CVT) -- $33,590