Pricier and smaller than its sole rival but better for thrift and thrust.

CHOICE, if not outright competition, has come to the niche within a niche that is the sub-premium hybrid passenger car sector, with Honda NZ having returned its Civic in petrol-electric form.

In representing in a single trim for $59,000, the new variant sites $13,000 cheaper than the sole other Civic here, the wholly performance-honed Civic R, also a hatchback, but with a wholly different bodywork and, though labelled a Sport, is not out to rival the hot hatch.

The fresh addition being more like a sedan with a hatchback tailgate conceivably means it might stand chance of being compared to the only petrol-electric sedan in circulation, the Toyota Camry.

That scrutiny asks acceptance that the latter is a larger car, across three level of trim, all cheaper than the Honda, the closest being the $57,990 ZR. 

The cars also adapt different levels to their technology delivery, with both using four-cylinder petrols, but of different capacities and Honda having two electric motors - basically the same drivetrain employed by the CR-V sports utility, but in front-drive rather than AWD.

On paper, at least, the Toyota 2.5-litre is outclassed by Honda’s 2.0-litre for output and thrift.

The Camry hybrid has 131kW/221Nm and is good for a combined economy figure of 4.4L/100km in its GX and SX grades, and 4.5L/100km in the flagship ZR.

The Civic has 135kW and 315Nm outputs. and combined fuel consumption, in a mix of highway and city driving, is rated at 4.2 litres per 100 kilometres. The highway-use cycle is officially listed at 5.5L/100km, while urban consumption is rated at a remarkably low 2.0L/100km. 

The drivetrain has economy, normal, sport and individual driving modes.

Even though it is new here, what’s being badged as Civic Hatch SR is a refresh of a existing product. The international debut occurred last May, with North America being the first market to be served. The US market car is pictured today.

Aside from the powertrain, it also brings a technology boost, with an infotainment with Google Built-In technology. Wireless Android Auto and Apple Car Play now facilitates.

It operates on an unchanged 9-inch floating-look touchscreen with physical controls.