The 2009 Honda Civic Coupe is the latest installment of this extremely popular small, yet sporty car. The Civic continues to be a leader among its chief competitors, the Toyota Corolla, the Hyundai Elantra and the Nissan Sentra. Although it hasn't changed much since its redesign a few years ago, there are a few new features this time around. A few new trim options are available this year, in addition to the many choices already offered. This should only add to the car's popularity as it continues to reach for a broader range of buyers. Honda also keeps pace with several tech upgrades in the new Civic, including electronic stability system, Bluetooth connectivity, and USB audio options.

Under the hood, the choices for the Civic Coupe are a bit limited. The only engine available is the 140 horsepower 1.8 liter I-VTEC four cylinder. You do have a choice of five speed manual or automatic transmissions.

The 2009 Civic is one of the most unique looking cars on the road, inside and out. The Coupe definitely lives up to Honda's claim of having created a futuristic looking automobile. The exterior of the Civic is very sleek and smooth, with a short hood and rear deck lid. The windshield is dramatically raked to further add to the futuristic design. Depending on the trim package, 15 or 16 inch wheels are available.

The unique, futuristic look continues when you climb inside the 2009 Civic. This is highlighted by the two-tier instrument panel and the multifunctional center console. Overall, the interior design is inviting and user friendly, and appears to be a bit more innovative than that of its competitors. Driver and rear passenger comfort have been slightly compromised, but not enough to turn you off.

When going down the road, the Honda Civic handles quite well. The steering is responsive, and the engine seems to have plenty of power. The only downside to way this car drives is the stiff suspension. Every bump and crack in the road can be felt. This is nothing new to previous Civic owners but, if you are not used to it, it can be quite irritating.

As always, the new Civic places great emphasis on safety. The Civic is once again one of the top performers in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing. Many safety features are standard on all trim levels, including anti-lock brakes, side impact and curtain airbags, tire pressure monitoring systems, and active head restraints.

The 2009 Honda Civic Coupe starts at around $15,200 and is also fairly reasonable when it comes to fuel economy; boasting 26 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. Overall, this is one of the most unique looking and safest cars on the road. The only thing this car drops the ball on is the driver's comfort and smoothness of ride.