I think, in some cases, it might just be luck. I've read before that one of the reasons modern cars look so essentially similar is that the need to meet safety rules can only result in X many shapes. I wonder if the Audi and VW looks, which were already quite 'blobby' by the 90s translate more easily into a modern design.

Right up until the current, new, model I think civics have followed an evolution since the first Joe 90 looking one in about 2007. The previous model was quite a boring box (brilliant car though) that wasn't as popular as it should have been. Before that, they were much pointier and, presumably, not pedestrian friendly.

With the exception of the 2007ish Civic, which caused an almighty splash, Honda's styling has been a disaster for years. In the 90s, they had a string of very handsome and stylish cars. Since then, probably the S2000 is the only one that's really looked good.

I think that whilst some of car design is obviously down to regulations and aerodynamic / engineering advances, which steer (pardon the pun) manufacturers in a particular direction, I think that a good deal is down to 'what is fashionable' - one make tries something new, and all it needs is someone in a position of significant influence to either push or stop others from following, and voila...

Ironically it isn't always because that look is appealing to the masses. Big front grilles (most of which serve little practical purpose these days) and headlamp clusters, for example, or the rear quarter arrangement between the rear seat windows and back window of hacthbacks, which if I recall started with the mk2 Almera 20 odd years ago.

As regards 'modern' (21st century) Hondas, the design of the 2001-05 5dr wasn't the best looker, but was very practical and made a geart use of its footprint as well as being reliable, but the 3dr, especially the Type R, was and still is (unmodded) a great looking car, similar to the 2013-18 Seat Leon SC (3dr) and equivalent Golf 3dr.

The main downside of the Civics of that era was the cheap-looking dash plastics (spray-on obvious fake metal). I personally wasn't a fan of the Civic (in all guises - I like that 'Joe 90' reference) that followed it, at least in the styling dept, the one after that was better externally but not inside (dash mainly). The more recent versions were the other way around - better interior, not so good exterior, plus, of course, issues with the ordinary turbocharged petrol engines.

I agree that the S2000 was certainly a car that stands the test of time - in all senses of the word. A far better dash usage of a digital display than those later Civics in my view.