Given all the misgivings about the 2012 Honda Civic, there was quite a backlog of requests from auto writers wanting to take a 2013 model for a longer stretch than the 20-minute drive experienced a couple of weeks back.

Somehow, the planets aligned and instead of getting a car in mid-spring for a longer period of time, I was in the right place at the right time, asked the right question of the right individual and a Civic Touring Sedan with a 5-speed automatic transmission was mine.

This vehicle will have a net price of $24,840 plus, plus. This was the same model I had driven before so there was a little familiarity – no surprises.

Cutting right to the chase, Honda will, I predict add further accolades, awards and most important of all, sales numbers for 2013 – the Civic will be Canada’s top selling vehicle – again – barring natural disasters that might lead to supply chain issues.

This is a car that may not turn heads with sexy, curved lines but it will impress the driver and any passenger – including from the back seat. Comfort and sightlines are improved and while this car may not amaze – it will not disappoint. The Honda design and engineering teams have made extensive yet not radical changes inside and out with content upgrades in the cabin and frame safety features that when taken into account puts the Civic in the front row of compact car contenders – in pole position.

Last time I spoke of my uncertainty with the vehicle’s EPS – electronic power steering but over the course of the week, it bothered me less each drive.

Frankly the Civic began to feel like a favourite, comfortable sweater – something you look forward to driving knowing that you are in a safe, secure vehicle that exceeds category expectations. The Civic is expected to earn an impressive score from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the new small overlap frontal crash test; especially with the addition of the all new Advanced Compatibility Engineering II (ACE II) body structure and SmartVent front seat side airbag technology, a feature that debuted in the recent MY2013 9th generation Accord.

People commented in parking lots – favourably, I might add and a couple of line workers from Alliston at shift-end asked for an opinion. That question is as bad as friends or acquaintances asking what car they should buy. However I did provide a response, saying that overall, Honda seemed to be “getting it” and that complacency did not appear to be on their immediate horizon.

In fact, from a value-added standpoint, we’re now seeing more standard features in Hondas generally thanks to the aggressive feature-laden cars coming from other parts of Asia: Bluetooth; rear-view camera; USB/iPod interface, colour i-MID display and on this model, the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System – with voice recognition.

Honda obviously paid attention and got things right. The number one requested feature from customers and dealers in Canada? Heated front seats. Of course, Honda obliged.

As mentioned earlier, the ride and handling was comfortable – not astounding, but after all, we’re talking about the category leader so no unpleasant surprises. The car handled well on roads under all conditions – dry pavement, rain, ice and even snow – central Ontario in December! The Civic acquitted itself well and came through with flying colours. Entering a highway from a ramp was no challenge – while no neck-snapping force was employed, you always knew that merging onto the highway would occur in a smooth, efficient and expedient manner.

Now if all that sounds a little business like, well, perhaps that’s the point. This is a family-oriented means of transport. Want a little more excitement? Consider the Si sedan or coupe with 201-hp and 170 lb-ft of torque from an i-VTEC 2.4 litre DOHC 16-valve engine paired to a 6-speed manual transmission. But that’s another story – for another day.

And did I mention the 17” alloys wheels on this model? Very nice!