Honda has given the Civic a new face in a round of mid-life updates for the hybrid hatchback.

The company says its Volkswagen Golf rival has been "refined in response to customer feedback", with the front end reworked for a "more assertive" look.

The upper and lower grilles have been sharpened and accentuated by their contrasting black gloss finishes, while the bumper has been restyled with "bolder character lines".

There's a new colour-coded front spoiler and the front foglights have been removed in line with the cleaner treatment.

Honda said the Civic's LED headlights can "ensure optimal visibility is maintained" in foggy conditions, making the separate foglights redundant.

Elsewhere, there's a new 18in wheel design available on selected trim levels, a new blue paint option and some exterior accessories can be finished in black, silver or bronze.

The Civic's interior has been largely left untouched, but all trims now come with a "more premium" black finish for the roof and pillars, together with matt chrome air-vent surrounds. 

Top-spec Advance cars now come with illuminated footwells, while mid-rung Sport now gets a heated steering wheel and 10.2in digital display as standard. All versions have a wireless phone charger. 

The new Civic is on sale from today (1 August), priced from £33,795 in entry-level Elegance trim - slotting it neatly in between the entry-level Toyota Corolla hybrid, at £30,795, and the cheapest Volkswagen Golf hybrid, which is £36,420.

Mid-rung Sport trim bumps the Civic up to £35,395 and the range-topping Advance costs £38,695. 

The Civic Type R hot hatch is no longer on the price list, having bowed out of Europe as the limited-run Ultimate Edition.