I would have liked to seen an LX MT with traction control off. Either way, the Civ will be competitive against any car in its class which we all know is not just hatches but sedans and coupes with similar attributes. Even with normal drivers who don't push the corners, it is just too still and composed of a str8 line drive to lose, even overcoming the soft suspension in the corners.
I've watched both episodes and I think the show has some potential. I liked the Adam, Rutledge, Tanner show (even though Tanner would yell to much for my liking), and thought it improved over time. I would say the same here. The cars they tested were interesting as were some things like driving through the desert in Baja Cars. It will take time to gel. You can't compare the American to the British version with Clarkson, Hammond and May. British humor coupled with the show being developed over 15 years made it what it was. I prefer the American shows making their own identity and not trying to be the British version. Using the Civic is great. Its a car everyone can relate too.