ELECTRONIC EDITOR ANDREW STOY:The Civic is one of those vehicles that will require me to remove my car-geek hat and replace it together with the 'general consumer of transport appliances' hat to be able to have any chance at making a target review. It is regrettable, because the Civic was not always in this way -- it used to be a Prelude or Integra, when there were Preludes and Integras. See, now I'm just getting frustrated.

The purpose is all I'm likely to say about actually driving the 2013 Honda Civic is that it is functionally adequate. You are not buying in a Honda dealer nowadays, so there is no point in going on about the lack of personality, if you want fascinating.

Honda has provided owners with no less than three different screens of information -- as well as the assessments -- each offering a bit of information (or at-least a different take on it). To the right of the features is a configurable screen that will show a clock, the radio station/music decision or fundamental car information. Lower down will be the navigation system (Honda's small-car head model with ridiculously small buttons and controls), and finally lower still is only a little LCD readout for climate control. Knobs thankfully control major characteristics, but the driver is left guessing which display will show the results of their manipulations: some show within the multifunction display, some within the navigation display and some in the environment control readout, without any redundancies.

What does the buyer care about, then? Probably external appearance, at least a bit. Here Honda has massaged the rear and front of the Civic to offer more to it of an Accord search. It is also unobjectionable, but the car still has an excessive amount of freaky spacecraft for my taste.

Inside, the car is somewhat improved; at the least in terms of resources quality is concerned: Padded, stitched vinyl covers dash and door areas now, and Honda's hallmark available, airy seat experience remains. I had difficulty getting comfortable in-the driver's seat, though, thanks to a seat squab that tilts the driver forward when it's raised; Honda's not by yourself in this function -- several little Asian vehicles often drive you to lay on the ground or lean you into the window thanks to your front-hinged seat-height insurer. The lower cushion around the Civic is rather quick also, and it generates the situation more noticeable. Remember that I'm 6'1' with ape hands, so your knowledge can vary.

Some folks are merely Honda loyalists. If you still think anything without the Civic marker may burst into flame and drop its sign when you push it off the lot, go purchase your new 2013 Civic and can get on with life. If, however, you're willing to consider brands and nameplates which have worked hard to make special new cars as opposed to just coasting on a reputation earned within the '80s, an environment of fantastic little cars awaits.

PUBLISHER WES RAYNAL: Remember when Civics were best-in-class? That is maybe not the case anymore. Today? I honestly don't know what to make of the quickly redone new Civic. Actually, more accurately, I had call it a recharge rather than a re-do. I applaud Honda for admitting it screwed up and scrambling a repair to market on the one hand, however the car still seems appliance-like if you ask me on initial perceptions. It's not a poor driver as small cars get, but it ain't the best. It is become patently regular.

Lots of cars in this type have a six-speed now. That seems lazy in my experience. The car needs more energy and a trans. The four is clean and sweet, though, and revs beautifully.

The ride and handling is okay and is competitive in the school for sure. Detroit potholes don't bother it much, human anatomy roll is minimal, and it is generally comfortable. Road noise levels are impressively low for a small car. Overall, it's substantially smoother than old Civics, and like it or not I believe that's Honda's intent.

The inner still drives me crazy, improved materials be damned. You will find too many uneven surfaces and too occupied with too many buttons. It is nice and roomy, although.

Could it be fixed enough? In my own opinion: No. I'll say that.

ROAD TEST EDITOR JONATHAN WONG: I'm sure the 2012 Civic is a type that Honda want to forget. It was not perfectly received from the automotive media with good reason. The signs of cost-cutting were drastic from the hard plastic-laden interior to the surface upgrade that has been far from inspiring.

The interesting thing is sales of the Civic stayed quick as the basic car buying public didn't spot the car's flaws or simply did not care. Their popularity helped carry the vehicle and probably might have carried it a couple more years until a refresh.

Drivetrain equipment remains unchanged, which can be great. The four-cylinder is powerful and smooth enough. Off-the line, the Civic is merging and not slot onto the expressway or doing driving maneuvers are done without a lot of drama.

From a handling standpoint, it is perhaps not the tightest and most athletic vehicle in-the class, but it is up there. Steering feel is significant and tuned in to inputs. Through bends, your body is controlled with a little move. Ride quality is comfortable with the suspension keeping using the edge of small to moderate bumps and potholes.

Inside the cottage, all those difficult materials surfaces are separated now with some soft-touch surfaces. Those perform a heck of too much to give a far more premium atmosphere to the interior. The tough pockets that do remain appear to be of higher quality and have nice graining to them.

Basically was looking this class, it'd come down to this Civic or the Ford Focus. It'd undoubtedly function as Focus if you asked me what I would pick last year, but the 2013 Civic changes have put it back into the discussion in my mind.