Like the Civic hatchback, the Hybrid only received four stars from Euro NCAP for crash protection, when most modern family cars achieve the maximum five stars. According to the safety organisation, structures in the dashboard presented a risk of injury to the knee and femurs of both the driver and passenger. There’s a good level of safety equipment on board though, including ABS, electronic brake force distribution and emergency brake assist, an electronic stability programme to counteract swerves or sudden movements and anti-whiplash seats.

The Hybrid is only available as a saloon (to give room to house the batteries for the electric motor), which inhibits its use as a family car. It can’t cope with awkward or outsized loads as well as the hatchback does. That said, the boot is a decent size and good shape – more than adequate for the weekly shop. There are a number of on-board storage areas too, including a large glovebox and good-sized door pockets.