Ranking: Fifth

Trunk Size: 11.9 cubic feet

"Adequate" was the Honda catch phrase when it came to rear seat design. Our passengers found adequate leg-, knee-, and foot room. Lumbar support was...adequate and the overall seat cushion rating was neither too hard nor too soft, just...well, you know. The flexible front seatbacks meant that rear passenger knees could contact them without getting crunched. Comfortable and well-placed armrests gave outboard passengers additional support.

A lack of rear seat headrests and a seatback angle that was too reclined kept us from scoring the Honda higher. We were dismayed when our tall-torso-ed rider made contact with the roof during a speedbump test (ouch!), and both riders wanted a higher seat bottom elevation for improved leg support. Passengers are left to create ways to secure their drinks because no cupholders are available.

One of the few Civic-exclusive features was a valet lock on the rear shelf to lower the rear seatback. Once dropped, the 60/40-split seatback sections folded nearly flat and a large trunk opening, with a low liftover, made loading items easy.