New Honda Civic Hatchback debuts with six-speed manual gearbox

KUALA LUMPUR: While Honda has unveiled the next-gen Civic sedan a couple of months ago, many auto enthusiasts have been waiting for its more fun-to-drive hatchback version. Well, the wait is officially over now as the Japanese automaker just pulled the covers off the 2022 Honda Civic hatchback in the USA and Japan simultaneously. Unlike the predecessor, the new model will be manufactured at Honda's Indiana plant in the USA. So, how does the hatchback differ from the sedan? Let’s explore.

Design-wise, the front fascia of the hatchback is identical to the new Civic sedan while its tail end is distinguished by different lights connected by a thin strip, angular liftgate, and an integrated spoiler. The different rear bumper boasts an integrated exhaust outlet and a faux diffuser. 

Speaking of the dimensions, the hatchback measures 4,530 mm in length, 1800 mm in width, 1,415 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,735 mm. As compared to the sedan, it is 30 mm longer and 5 mm lower. Inside, the rear seat gets 36 mm of additional legroom over the previous model, and the trunk yields 693 litres of space, much more than the sedan's 419 litres. 

Just like the exterior, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback’s interior design also echoes the sedan. In terms of features, it gets a new 7-inch LCD instrument display as standard that can be replaced by the optional fully-digital 10.2-inch unit. In the same way, the lower trims have a smaller 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the higher model gains a larger nine-inch screen with wireless phone mirroring. Other premium bits include Qi wireless charging and 12-speaker Bose audio system.

Under the hood, the new Civic hatchback comes with two different engines. The first is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit that delivers a maximum power output of 160 PS and a peak torque of 187 Nm. Another is a 1.5-litre turbocharged mill good for making 182 PS and 240 Nm. On the transmission front, the hatch gets a short-throw six-speed manual gearbox, unlike the sedan. However, the CVT is also available as an option.

As for safety, the automaker has packed the car with a full suite of Honda Sensing driver assists. This includes a new Traffic Jam Assist (Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system), adaptive cruise control, and lane centring assist among other features.

Lastly, the new Honda Civic hatchback price has not yet been disclosed by the automaker. But, we can expect a higher tag than the new sedan whose price starts around $22,695 (RM 94,578) in the US market.

Also read: Honda to discontinue Odyssey, Legend, and Clarity in Japan