More comfortable seating, front and rear, is one benefit of the 2006 Honda Civic Coupe’s redesign, but full-sized adults relegated to the back seat won’t want to stay long. At least it’s relatively easy to get into and out of the rear quarters through the large passenger’s side door, and thanks to the tilt-and-slide front passenger’s seat.

Up front, firm, supportive chairs that hold a body more snugly than the sedan’s bucket seats offer excellent comfort. The driver gets a manual seat-height adjuster, and in combination with the standard tilt and telescopic steering column, a perfect driving position is easy to find. You sit high in this car, and the dashboard is low, providing a good view out. But the Civic Coupe’s smaller greenhouse, sportier seats, and our test car’s dark interior color created an intimate feel quite unlike the Civic Sedan’s open, airy ambience. If you’re claustrophobic, try to stick with the lighter colored décor shown in this photo.