Journalists, by nature, are cynics.

So when Honda Australia declared its first ever diesel, fitted exclusively to the Civic hatch, is as refined and as quiet as its petrol offerings, I sniggered into my morning coffee.

Jump behind the wheel however, and you quickly realise Honda isn’t telling porkies.

The new 1.6-litre i-DTEC oiler is a gem, offering a satisfying blend of efficiency, performance and refinement.

The first engine to use Honda’s ‘Earth Dreams’ technology in Australia, the new turbo-charged oiler produces 88kW and 300Nm – not enough power to feel blisteringly quick, but more than adequate for daily driving.Read full review here.