GOING green is all the rage these days, with motor manufacturers desperate to tell us just how environmentally friendly they are.

In the Honda Civic you can tell just how green you are thanks to a little display located in the instrument panel.

The theory is simple. The better you drive, the more lights are lit.

The problem is it’s not easy to do, especially with a car full of children.

I found I was treating it like a personal challenge, telling everyone to be quiet while I did my damnedest to get a full row.

“There, I did it,” I shouted, managing to get them all lit. “Yeah, but you had better get your eyes back on the road if you are going to get round this bend,” the other half observed.

That is the flaw in the concept. I spent so much time looking at the dash, as the number of lights increased across the display, I was not really concentrating on driving.

After a few days, though, I got bored of being an eco warrior and got back to the business in hand – assessing the merits, or otherwise, of the car.

Despite its sporty looks, the Civic, in this mode at least, is not really a driver’s car. Don’t get me wrong, it handles well enough around the twist and turns, but it doesn’t really put a smile on your face.

The automatic gearbox didn’t help.

It is a little laboured, and I think I’d go for a manual if it was up to me.

On a journey into the sticks I felt more than the odd bump through the suspension, but once back in civilisation the Civic offered a more pleasant ride.

Honda certainly ensured the Civic would stand out when they designed the car, but it will not appeal to everyone. Younger people will love it; those heading towards retirement may not.

The space-age looks continue on the inside, where the aforementioned dash is set out like something from Buck Rogers.

The speedometer comes in digital form but I, being of average height, struggled to read it unless I lowered the steering wheel as far as it would go. Even then I had to pump up the seat to see it properly.

There are more problems with vision if you look in the rear view mirror.

The spoiler dissects the rear window exactly and means the driver only gets a pillbox view of what’s coming up behind him.

As far as comfort is concerned, there is plenty of room in the front for driver and passenger, in fact you could stretch out without compromising the space of those in the rear.

However, because the roof is rather low and slopes downwards, there is little in the way of headroom, particularly in the back.

There’s a huge load-carrying space in the boot and a split-level floor makes lugging goods around a synch.

Fuel economy is good and the Civic, though not cheap, holds its value well.

Honda’s record on reliability is another reason to put the car on your shortlist.

The Civic has a lot going for it and not only will it make your neighbours green with envy, it could also turn you a little greener too.

Specification

Engine: 1.8 i-VTEC
Max power: 140bhp
Max torque: 128lb/ft
Max speed: 122mph
0-60mph: 11secs
Avg fuel consumption: 39.8mpg
Equipment (includes): five-speed automatic gearbox; 16ins alloy wheels; adaptable boot storage with lid; ABS; central locking; climate control air conditioning; digital fuel consumption display; drilled aluminium sports pedals; air bags; electric power assisted steering; electronic brake force distribution; emergency brake assist; engine start button; electric windows; front ventilated disc brakes; leather wrapped steering wheel; multi-function driver computer; rear boot spoiler; remote keyless entry; steering wheel mounted audio controls; CD with RDS and MP3 capability; twin chrome exhaust; metallic paint.