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It was an odd and boxy little critter that came to our shores in the early ’70s.

A tiny, front-wheel-drive hatchback with small wheels and spare styling, the early Honda Civic flew in the face of other Japanese automakers’ attempts to emulate U.S. cars and break into the U.S. market.

Soon, the wisdom was apparent as the Civic’s low price, sporting nature and reliability boosted sales, and planted Honda solidly on American soil.

After many changes and upgrades, the Civic has come a long way. Now it’s fully formed, a leading member of the Mainstream.

Redesigned for 1996, the sixth-generation Civic still offers the high quality and durability of the original, but in a package of sophisticated styling and design.

In the top-shelf EX sedan we tested, some decent performance, too.

The Civic EX is a small car that does most things well, from sprinting away from a stoplight to keeping back-seat passengers snug and happy.

For less than $17,000, the EX version of the basic sedan delivers a solid package of sportiness and practicality, the kind of car you can tote your kids around in all week, yet still enjoy the sharp handling and satisfying engine response.

The heart of the package is Honda’s fascinating VTEC 4-cylinder engine, providing a smooth 127 horsepower.

Using an advanced system of electronically controlled valve timing and lift, the 1.6-liter engine has decent power at low rpms for tooling around town while providing plenty of zip in the upper range, where it really sings.

This may not sound important to the average driver, but the difference is readily apparent in engine response and the steady flow of power across the full range of engine speed.

However, the Civic EX is no sports sedan. Though competent, the EX still has the feel of a basic economy car, lacking the spark and the edge of a sports sedan.

On a recent trip to Globe, the Civic was a pleasure to run through the curves and mountain grades of U.S. 60. Yet the overall impression was that of a good little appliance, eager and willing, but lacking in character.

That’s all pretty subjective stuff. As small, inexpensive cars go, the Civic EX does what it’s supposed to do, has a sterling record of reliability and certainly won’t bore you to tears.

Evidence of its popularity is right there in the numbers: Honda sold nearly 290,000 Civics last year, a 9 percent increase over 1994, the automaker says, surpassing Ford Escort and Saturn.

With its sharp new looks, the Civic should continue its climb on success road.

The restyled body leans on the theme set by the new Accord. The huge, wrap-around headlight cluster looks great, accentuating the Civic’s traditionally low, short front.

The most striking feature of the EX over the lesser models are the aggressively styled spoked wheels and low-profile tires. That, and the gorgeous paint job.

Those tires stick great, too, helping the little car feel nimble and secure through those curves.

Inside the Civic is more interior space, larger glass areas and a reasonable comfort level, considering the small size and budget price.

The instrumentation and controls are logical and well-arranged, in typical Honda fashion, but pretty ordinary for a vehicle with sporting pretensions.

Tall drivers will find front-seat legroom accommodating, though somewhat cramped in the back seats.

On the road, the Civic is noticeably quieter than previous models, which Honda says is due to increased sound insulation. All told, the Honda EX sedan is a decent compromise between performance, practicality and price. For those who don’t crave the performance edge, a lesser Civic can be had at a lesser price.

1996 Honda Civic

Vehicle type: Five-passenger, four-door sedan, front-wheel drive. Base price: $16,480. Price as tested: $16,875. Engine: 1.6-liter inline-4, 127 horsepower at 6,600 rpm, 107 pounds/ feet of t orque at 5,500 rpm. Transmission: 5-speed manual shift. Curb weight: 2,518 pounds. Length: 175.1 inches. Wheelbase: 103.2 inches. Passive restraints: Dual air bags. EPA fuel economy: 30 mpg city, 36 mpg highway.