HONDA'S fleet-focused five-door Civic is among the most cost-efficient contenders in the lower medium sector according to fleet management consultancy Fleet Audits. Wholelife costings calculated by Fleet Audits experts put the new Civic well ahead of established fleet favourites like the Vauxhall Astra and Ford Escort.

Despite its higher purchase price, the Civic's pence per mile figure of 20.96 over three years/60,000 miles is only bettered by the Rover 416 and Renault Megane 1.6 RXE.