I wouldn't call the Civic fast, but it can be reasonably quick when you need a burst of power. The five-speed gearbox is excellent. The shifter and clutch require light effort to use, so the car is not tiresome to drive in heavy traffic. The four-wheel independent double wishbone suspension system makes for a smooth and quiet ride. Rolling over a bumpy brick road, you can hear little more than the tires on the pavement.
Small bumps are muffled, and the car stays steady and easy to control.
Antilock brakes cost extra. Power steering is standard. I can find no shortcomings in the Civic's engineering, design or performance. It does everything well and feels very balanced and refined. There is nothing especially stylish about the Civic's interior.