THE British-built Honda Civic has landed the prestigious North American Car of the Year title - for the second time.

It's a decade since an earlier generation Civic took the award, now the 2016 version has struck gold too.

In total, 11 Honda models have been named finalists for NACOTY awards since their inception in 1994, the most of any brand outside of the Detroit Big 3 automakers.

Honda senior vice president Jeff Conrad said: "Civic is a cornerstone of the Honda line up, and we're delighted that the automotive press has recognized the new levels of styling, performance, advanced technology, safety and value that characterise the new Civic."

The North American Car of the Year Award is given by a group of 53 international automotive journalists and is unique because instead of being given by a single publication, radio or TV station, it is given by automotive journalists from the United States and Canada.

Presented each year at the opening of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, it heralds the most outstanding car of the year based on criteria like innovation, design, safety performance, handling, driver satisfaction and value.

And the 2016 Civic features a sporty new interior and exterior styling, a more spacious and high-quality cabin, two new engines and premium technologies like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

With the addition of Honda Sensing safety and driver-assistive technologies and the first application of Honda turbo engine technology to Civic, the newcomer offers buyers a wider range of options than before.

The Civic five-door, set to debut in the near future, will be produced at Honda's Swindon in Britain.