A major aim for Honda with this 2013 release is to protect the sale price of the Civic, while improving both its looks and performance. The equipment and interior finish of the vehicle look set to overhauled, with the exterior taking inspiration from the popular CR-Z model. Under the bonnet, there will be more similarities with the CR-Z, namely a hybrid engine featuring the same powertrain; a 1.5 litre petrol engine that delivers 124 HP and 131 lb-ft of torque. Also available will be a new low emission three-cylinder engine.

Mugen performance parts and accessories will now be available through a select band of eight Honda dealerships throughout the country. Following a limited run of Civic Type R Mugens, the Japanese motorsport firm is slowly beginning to take off on these shores. The range of new parts that will now be on offer include forged aluminium wheels, brake upgrades, quick-shift gearbox kits and sports suspension, while a range of body styling kits will also be available.

The dealerships across the country that will stock the Mugen parts are strategically spread out, with Inchcape catering for the South East and Two Mills the North West. Parts and accessories for other Honda models are expected to be introduced gradually over the forthcoming year.

There are three driving modes which allows for the driver to adapt the setting of the car to their needs so whether they need to drive economically or switch to then drive in heavy traffic they can do so with ease.

The prices of the Honda CR-Z are as follows-:

CR-Z S £16,999
CR-Z Sport £17,999
CR-Z GT £19,999

All models come with Climate Control, Six Speaker CD player and an engine start button. The S grades have heated door mirrors, rear dimming mirror, electric window and daytime running lights.

The Sports model offers alloy pedals, ambient lighting, cruise control, boot mounted subwoofer and many other superb features that will have Honda fanatics excited.

Owners of small SUVs had reason to feel smug this winter. As Britain shivered beneath a blanket of snow, suddenly they had a good reason for using a 4×4 for the school run. True the school in question was normally closed, but they could certainly get there.

Honda has tweaked various areas to make it ever so slightly better than the model we’ve come to know, and in some cases love. There is improved suspension, better insulation and new 17 inch wheels all designed to improve ride comfort.

The crown of best small SUV car is likely to be keenly fought this year, with a plethora of new contenders on the scene. With these updates the new Honda can hope to mix it with the best.

Most importantly, the car has been built in Honda’s plant in Swindon, which makes it British (kind of).

Honda aren’t the only manufacturer to be entering this particular part of the market. Nissan are also targeting the global small car platform with the new model of their Micra; it seems that cars which are cheap enough to manufacture and sell to emerging markets but are also sophisticated enough for Western markets are the new target for many manufacturers in the small car market.

Honda car sales significantly outperformed industry figures, increasing by 13 per cent during the first three weeks in August compared to the same period in 2008.

The Honda Insight has continued to perform strongly gaining significant market share in the Hybrid sector.

Honda increased their global production by 90,000 units in June as sales and pre orders rose considerably as the Japanese Government offered incentives and tax breaks on the purchase of eco-friendly vehicles.

This is great news for Japan’s second largest motor manufacturer, having experienced difficulties during the economic downturn.

The Sport-Si Civic is soon to hit the UK market, starting with a 1.4 litre i-VTEC Si and then the 1.8 i-VTEC Si and 2.2 i-CTDi Si will follow a few months later.

With colour-coded body mouldings, Type R front grille, alloys, dark chrome features, half leather interior and USB connectivity, starting from just 15,800, pounds Honda are sure to be inundated with pre-orders.

Honda dealers are taking orders for the Sport-Si Civic now – click here for more info.

A further 90,000 vehicles will be produced by Honda in response to higher than expected sales in China, India, Thailand and Brazil.

As a result Honda’s net income will increase. This is a significant turnaround for Honda who like so many car manufacturers had been hit hard by the global economic downturn.

This comes on the back of impressive domestic sales, with the Honda Insight becoming one of the fastest selling new cars in Japan.

With Honda topping the reliability chart, many prospective car buyers will obviously be drawn to an efficient and reliable car, especially given the current economic climate.

Over the years, Honda has been known for their affordable, stylish range of cars, but that’s not where it stops: Honda has also pushed the boundaries with their innovative and playful take on advertising, and that is where they are being recognised at the moment.

Five of their adverts, announcing that their Swindon plant is back to work, have won nominations for the 2009 Awards for National Newspaper Advertising (ANNAs). The ads were made by Wieden + Kennedy.

ANNAs judge Darren Bailes described Honda’s adverts as: ‘news in the form of advertising’ and picked the ‘Bacon’ execution as Ad of the Month for June. Other executions nominated were ‘Bolt’, ‘Uniform’, ‘Paint’ and ‘Tea’.

Darren Bailes went on to say: ‘Bacon, irons and mugs of tea make it seem far more real than, say, the rebooting of a robot arm. Good news for the people of Swindon. Good news for Honda. Good news for the guy who delivers the bacon.’

The five ads join the 41 already nominated for the awards that will be presented in January 2010. There will be a cash prize of £25,000 for the creators of the best ad of 2009 with a total prize fund of £65,000.

Wieden + Kennedy are now at the top of ANNAs creative league table after the five June nominations.

The Accord scored a reliability rate of 98.5 per cent in Which? Magazine’s survey based on more than 84,000 motorists.

And it was a double whammy for Honda as the Honda Jazz came second in the 121 model strong survey based questions regarding breakdowns, faults and servicing.

This is good news for Honda who have suffered indifferent news in the past 12 months having had to close their UK plant in Swindon for four months due to falling sales figures because of the economic downturn and also to safeguard jobs.

The Honda Accord starts from £19,945 and is available in accordance with the Government Scrappage Scheme. For more information visit: http://www.hondainchcape.co.uk/

See the Top 10 and Bottom 10 cars in the Which? reliability survey below:

10 most reliable new cars
1 Honda Accord 98.5%
2 Honda Jazz 98.2%
3 Daihatsu Sirion 97.5%
4 Hyundai i30 96.8%
5 Ford Fiesta 96.2%
6. Honda Jazz 95.9%
7 Honda Civic Hybrid 95.7%
8 Citroën C1 95.7%
9 Toyota Prius 95.0%
10 Mazda 3 94.4%

10 least reliable new cars
112 Hyundai Santa Fe 82.2%
113 Jaguar S-type 81.2%
114 Volvo XC90 80.6%
115 Land Rover Freelander 80.1%
116 Ford S-Max 79.9%
117 Land Rover Discovery 79.5%
118 Alfa Romeo 159 79.0%
119 Jaguar XF 78.0%
120 Ford Galaxy 76.3%
121 Audi A5 75.8%