These spatial gains were achieved by raising the roof, moving front pillars forward and developing a flat cabin floor. The additional space becomes most apparent in the back seat, where legroom increases by 1.9 inches in the sedan, or 0.6 inches for the coupe. Space for hips and shoulders is fractionally larger in the new Civic than in the 2000 model. The flat floor allows rear-seat passengers to spread their feet out; this is particularly noteworthy in the coupe where traditionally a two-door format skimps on space in the back seat.

The Civic rings the passenger compartment in a tall wrap of window glass so the interior seems to move outward visually to create a perception of airy spaciousness.

The interior layout sets two bucket seats up front with a center floor console. A bench in back is large enough for three children or two adults to ride comfortably. The seats were reworked to provide more support from a rigid structure and stronger side bolsters; the seat cushions stand about an inch higher than the previous design to make entry and exit easier.

For the coupe, front seatbacks stretch broad and deep, and headrests are open at the center like a doughnut. Front seatbelts attach to a side anchor bar that slides out of the way when someone climbs into the back seat. The seat also cooperates for rear entry by sliding forward under power when the seatback tilts forward, then returns to its original position due to a memory setting. That forward movement creates the largest possible portal for rear entry, but it's still not an easy matter to fold your body into the rear seat of this (or any) coupe, much less haul yourself out.

The cockpit looks clean and efficient with a new instrument panel tucked beneath a barrel cowl. Round white-on-black analog instruments include an oversized speedometer and tachometer in a central position flanked by smaller fuel and coolant gauges. In the coupe, gauges show silver highlights and glow with amber light at night. Controls for audio and climate systems are housed in a pod on the center dash that adds large rotary dials.

Safety equipment includes front seatbelt pretensioners for lap and shoulder, two-stage frontal airbags, three-point safety belts for five seat positions, child seat anchor brackets for the back seat and an emergency trunk release lever inside the trunk. Optional side-impact airbags are available, along with anti-lock brakes.