The Civic doesn't have velvet seats but the Oriel model has premium fabric, no Civic anywhere has velvet seats as far as I know.
@Storm, the interior is more plasticy than the old civic but thats the way its made globally (since the interior isn't manufactured here, neither is much of anything else aside from assembly so it doesn't differ). And yes on the airbags, the foreign model has more airbags than the local one. Thats about it.
@bluntknife, Which carpet? The mats? Even the fitted carpet is of good quality. What exactly are you expecting? Handknotted persian rug? lol.
Overall the car is a pleasure to drive, handles nicely and feels very solid.