Despite growing in every dimension after its last redesign, the Honda Civic sedan continues as the Japanese automaker's entry-level mainstream four-door car. Totally redesigned for 2007, the Civic received a mild update for the 2009 model year that saw an even higher feature content upgrade.

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The current Civic places an emphasis on interior space, unlike its predecessors, meaning the rear seat is almost as commodious as the last-generation Accord. A two-tier instrument panel groups gauges in a unique, almost space-age way that, working with the long dash top and small windows just aft of the A-pillars, gives the Civic its unique interior feel.

Those increased interior dimensions do come at the cost of a larger body; the roughly 178-inch-long Civic is now sized about like the third-generation Accord was 20 years ago.

From 2009, the Civic was treated to a mid-cycle refresh that revised the front-and-rear fascias, added two trim levels and swapped out a two-spoke steering wheel from a sportier three-spoke unit from the Civic coupe.

Though also available in sporty Si and extra-efficient Hybrid trim levels, the standard Civic sedan offers a choice of two engines: A 1.8-liter four-cylinder gas motor and a lower-output 1.8-liter Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) version available to consumers in California and New York and to fleet buyers nationwide.

The standard gas single-overhead-cam engine pumps out 140 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 128 lb-ft. of torque at 4,300 rpm. It's mated to either a five-speed manual (where it achieves 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway) or a five-speed automatic (25 city, 36 highway). The CNG-fueled GX is rated at 113 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 109 lb-ft. of torque at 4,300 rpm. It comes only with the five-speed automatic, where it is rated at 24 mpg city and 36 mpg highway.

Aside from the GX, all trim levels come standard with the manual transmission.

Available in a dizzying array of models, the Civic offers few factory-installed options. At the entry-level is the DX, which features a high level of safety features, including ABS, six airbags and front-seat active head restraints, but its luxuries end with a height-adjustable driver's seat and power windows.

A DX-VP model, added for the 2009 model year, slots just above the base DX and adds convenience features including an AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system, air conditioning and power mirrors.

The LX adds cruise control, power door locks with keyless entry and floormats, as well as upgrading wheels from 15 to 16-inches.

Again added for 2009 is the sport-themed LX-S model. Though not including any mechanical or suspension revisions, the LX-S adds to the LX a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a rear spoiler and alloy 16-inch wheels.

The premium EX model, available with or without a navigation system (which also adds Bluetooth), adds to the LX four-wheel disc brakes, a split-folding rear seat, satellite radio, a power sunroof, alloy wheels and a few interior upgrades. An uplevel EX-L model adds to the EX heated leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The EX-L also comes with traction and stability control, making it the only such-equipped Civic sedan aside from the Si and Hybrid.

NGV-fueled GX models are closest to the LX in specification, though they swap the gas model's 16-inch steel wheels for 15-inchers.