As far as improvements over old cars go, the third generation Honda City seems to be a big one. Everything from the looks to the quality to the performance department has been given a real look- over.

The VTEC engine is no fire-starter with 118bhp and a glacial 0-100kph time, but there is fun to be had in town in the lower gears, as it reaches the top half of its rev range.

The old complacent CVT gearbox has been replaced with an auto mated to a torque converter. It’s quite surprising when you learn that it’s been programmed on the sporting side, with Sport mode hanging to gears for as long as you like and, if you use the paddles for manual mode, it stays manual - with no automatic up-change or down-change (unless the revs really drop). I’d still go for a proper H-pattern though.

Steering is perhaps on the light side, but weights up nicely as you build up speed, where its softness comes out. It’s not pin-point accurate but it still doesn’t put you off pushing the City in search of its limits.

Added to the revised looks that match Honda’s current futuristic theme, in EX spec, with 16in alloys, it makes for quite a desirable car, if you’re looking for a saloon of this size.