Honda Civic Sport vs Subaru Impreza 2.0i-L

We're looking at the mid-range Civic Sport which comes with a five-speed auto. It gets, as standard, things like Bluetooth and iPod connectivity with audio streaming, reach and rake adjustable steering, Intelligent Multi-Information Display (which shows distance-to-empty, clock, audio system, etc).

For this money you get dual-zone climate control, 16inch alloys, rear privacy glass, stop-start, multi-function steering wheel, multi-function display with Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, and a reversing camera as standard. Add $3000 for satnav and electric sunroof.

Honda has stuck with the conservative look. It's well designed but it won't get your pulse racing. Inside, the dash layout is nice and clear and the colour palette has been chosen to create an air of quality. There's plenty of room inside and a flat floor in the back means three proper seats.

Subaru's designers have never seemed particularly gifted, though this is better looking than the Liberty. It features a more hawk-like face, a simple dash design with soft-touch plastics and decent seats. There's plenty of room in the front and back.

There are three engines in the Civic range, including a quasi-Hybrid. The Sport runs a 2.0-litre four-cylinder good for 114kW and 190Nm at a tall 4300rpm. It consumes 7.5L/100km and has an Econ button to improve fuel economy when you're running on, say, a freeway at a constant speed.

The latest-generation 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer makes 110kW/196Nm. This is mated to either a sixspeed manual, as standard, or a CVT (a $2500 option). Fuel consumption is 7.1L/100km for the manual, and 6.8L/100km for the CVT.

Both cars get five-star ANCAP crash safety rating with six airbags. The airbags for the Civic's front passengers (there are two each, so, four all up) can be inflated at different rates depending on the severity of the crash, and also the location of the passenger.

Seven airbags standard, AWD, ABS with four-wheel disc brakes and electronic brakeforce distribution, stability control, brake assist, shock-absorbing brake and clutch pedals, as well as improved pedestrian safety via energy-absorbing structures in the engine bay.

While the basic chassis architecture is unchanged, the current Civic Sport feels and sounds more refined than the Impreza. But it's a long way behind for chassis dynamics, lacking the Subaru's depth of talent in the ride and handling department.

Drive through the first corner and you realise the chassis engineers have produced something wonderful. Sure, you could use more mid-range grunt, but the Impreza body and bump control truly impress. Ride and handling rival a Volkswagen Golf.