Driven: 2006 Honda Civic
http://www.autofieldguide.com/driven/0506dri26.html
I've pulled this article out before, but it's great: "The latest generation of Civic goes back to a tried-and-true formula in an attempt to regain momentum. And that formula is simply this: Subtly copy BMW’s 3 Series in order to give buyers a vehicle that has overtones of the one they wish they could afford."
"Honda designers borrowed and adapted BMW’s famed C-pillar “kink” to the new Civic, made certain the space between the tires and wheel openings matched those of the 3-Series, and reduced panel gaps until they were equal to those of the baby BMW."
"Honda engineers – like their Bavarian counterparts – use a bottom-hinged accelerator, and copied the pedal spacing from the – you guessed it – 3 Series."