1996 Honda Civic Honda raises the benchmark--but not the price. By Marcia Ruff, New Car Test Drive .com

The Honda Civic--already the acknowledged benchmark among small cars--took another

self-improvement course for 1996. Thanks to a thorough and thoughtful redesign, the

Civic is now bigger and quieter, has a better ride, a more handsome interior, and an

innovative array of technology. Despite these changes, prices are virtually the same

as in 1995. It's no wonder the Civic was the best-selling small car in America in last

year, outselling Saturn and the Ford Escort.