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With the first Civic in 1972, Honda essentially invented the idea that a small, inexpensive car didn't have to be badly built or dull (go figure, right?). And over the years, the brand toyed with that notion a bit, making sporty versions, efficient hybrid versions and even one with a removable metal roof that could be stowed in the trunk.

In the last decade, as the global economy tanked, Honda all but eliminated the distinction and wackiness that originally attracted people to the brand in order to remain competitive and relevant. For example, the last-gen Civic was about as forgettable as they come. It always worked as a way to get from A to B (and sometimes C on the weekends), but it never inspired a second thought or glance.

With that in mind, imagine my surprise when a Civic Coupe slathered in "Energy Green Pearl" paint pulled up in front of Mashable's Los Angles office for my week-long review. Added together with the chromed-out mustache grille, sharp sidelines and bright LED tail light bar that runs the entire width of the rear, I had trouble believing I was staring at a Civic. Turns out, though, the exterior wasn't the only surprise the Civic had in store for me.

Image: NICK JAYNES/MASHABLE

Honda Sensing

Perhaps the standout surprise in the Civic Coupe is its Honda Sensing suite of safety systems. Well, Honda calls them safety; you and I might consider them semi-autonomous driving systems. That's because with Adaptive Cruise Control (AAC) with Low Speed Follow — a first on a Honda — the Civic can follow a car ahead on the freeway and autonomously brake and accelerate to keep with the flow of traffic from 90 mph down to 0 mph and back.

What's more, my Civic Coupe press demonstrator also featured Honda's Lane Keep Assist (LKAS). So not only could it brake and accelerate itself, it could also realistically keep itself in the lanes. Of course, unlike with Tesla Autopilot, Honda requires you keep your hands on the steering wheel even when it's doing the steering.

Typically, to get such a suite of systems, buyers would have to look up into the luxury market

Along with AAC and LKAS, Honda Sensing includes Forward Collision Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking, Lane Departure Warning and Road Departure Mitigation. I can't tell you it's impossible to crash the Civic Coupe, however, with all those systems on and active, it's harder to do than ever before.

Certainly, adding these to such an accessible car is meaningful not just for Honda, but for the industry as a whole. Typically, to get such a suite of systems, buyers would have to look up into the luxury market and a $50,000 — or more — price tag. With the new Civic, you can get Honda Sensing on a car for as little as $26,125 on the Coupe ($20,440 on Civic Sedan).

Image: NICK JAYNES/MASHABLE

That said, Honda Sensing is not as precise as similar systems from higher-end carmakers. The Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow felt easily perturbed by a sudden change in traffic, reacting like an amateur teen driver with lots of hard stabs of the brakes. However, I am willing to look past these arguably niggling complaints because, let's face it, even with some foibles, having the system is better than not. I mean that not only from a safety standpoint but also from a driving enjoyment perspective.

Delightfully, Honda Sensing wasn't the only tech treat in the Civic Coupe. Honda's Display Audio infotainment system is displayed on a 7-inch touchscreen in the center dash. Although it's powered by Android, it can run either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

Image: NICK JAYNES/MASHABLE

What's more, Honda's navigation system from Garmin features real-time traffic updates and automatic rerouting. Since my iPhone kicked the bucket during my week with the Civic, I was forced to rely on the Honda nav to get around LA. I can tell you its constantly updated routes saved me from pulling my hair out in traffic a few times.

Sporty Civic?

Since Honda will be turning this new Civic into both sporty Si and Type R variants, it needed to start off with its strongest foot forward. The result is not only the best-handling Civic ever, it's also the new benchmark for handling in the compact car segment.

The Civic Coupe is the new benchmark for handling in the compact car segment.

Now, crisp handling might not mean a lot to most drivers. I get that. However, it's important for a couple reasons.

First off, and most importantly, sharper handling equates to safer driving. That's because the car can react more quickly and capably to a driver's emergency maneuvers. Think swerving to avoid an accident on the freeway, for example.

Secondly, and certainly less significantly, since the Civic has long attracted aftermarket enthusiasts to the brand, those who like to make their Civics sportier and flashier ought to love the new Civic because it's already pretty damn athletic and glitzy to begin with. This should make the task of tuning it easier and more enjoyable.

Unfortunately for me, I am not one of those people. Accordingly, the week I spent behind the wheel of the Energy Green Pearl Civic Coupe was mildly torturous. I am sure you'll agree with me when I say that the color looks great in pictures. On the road, though, it's a different story.

Image: Nick Jaynes/Mashable

Everywhere I looked, people were glaring and grimacing at the color. I reckon, as my friend so astutely pointed out, the color has a $60,000 minimum entry point. A car in this color either needs to say "SRT" (Dodge's performance moniker) or "Lamborghini" on the back in order not to look silly.

Ignoring the wholly optional paint color, I really did enjoy Honda's new turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Like the handling and the sharp body lines, the powerful and efficient engine — capable of 41 mpg on the highway — should prove a delight for all buyers, even those not concerned with rear wings and ground-effect lights.

Finally fun

I grew up with a father who swore by sporty Hondas. So, Honda's apparent return to its wackier side is heartening to me. Seeing a Civic Coupe that dares to be not just stylish (or showy, depending on the angle) but also a technological pioneer is a breath of fresh air.

Image: NICK JAYNES/MASHABLE

More than that, though, the Civic pulls the compact car market out of its post-recession slump. The new Civic, especially the Civic Coupe, proves that just because you're shopping for a $20,000-something car you don't have to suffer in a gray-on-gray prison cell on wheels.

For that money, you can have a Lamborghini-green coupe with handling to rival a Miata and a tech suite package that could make a BMW blush.