Coupes are more expressive and aspirational than conventional sedans, but modern automotive marketing wisdom says that unless it’s a luxury or sports car like a BMW 3 Series or Nissan 350Z, a two-door won’t sell. Buyers of small cars choose them because they must for reasons of practicality, the theory goes, and a coupe is clearly impractical. Yet Honda, never afraid to buck a trend in the process of setting a new one, has continuously offered a Civic Coupe since 1992.

That tradition continues with the introduction of the redesigned 2006 Honda Civic. The new Civic Coupe is still less practical than the Civic Sedan, but moves solidly into expressive and aspirational territory with a big dose of style and refinement.

Radically cab-forward in terms of design, the 2006 Honda Civic Coupe possesses a strong European flavor, a spirited driving character, and an upscale ambience that belies its fully-loaded price of around $20,000. Coupled with Honda’s technologically-advanced four-cylinder engines – among the most fuel efficient and least polluting available today – and a nearly complete roster of safety equipment, the all-new 2006 Honda Civic looks to be a smash hit. If you don’t mind the lack of rear doors, that is.