Honda keeps slowly rolling out new variants of the 11th-generation Civic, making the new hatchback available for purchase today with a starting price beginning at $22,900.
The newest version carries on with the more subdued look adopted for the current-gen model while giving the fans what they want: a 6-speed manual transmission.
“This is the most fun-to-drive Civic Hatchback we’ve ever made,” said Dave Gardner, executive vice president of National Operations at American Honda Motor Co. Inc., in a statement “Our 11th-generation Civic Sedan is already a runaway success and now this all-new Civic Hatchback further amplifies the performance of the Civic line-up.”
Honda’s been teasing the debut of the newest generation model since last November. It finally took the covers off the sedan in April with promises of more variants to come. The company sold 1.7 million 10th-genertion Civics.
The new model
The hatchback is an important model for Honda as its about 25% of all Civic sales, according to the automaker. The 6-speed manual is a fan favorite, getting a much higher take rate than other brands offering manuals — save the Mazda Miata — which hover below 3 percent.
The Civic Hatchback LX is powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine putting out 158 horsepower with a continuously variable automatic transmission. On the inside, the LX provides a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard.
For those moving up to the Sport, which starts at $24,100, you get the aforementioned 6-speed manual or a CVT with a Sport Mode. Gloss Berlina Black 18-inch wheels are standard along with low-profile 235/40R-18 tires, black exterior accents and a chrome exhaust finisher.
The cabin gets a few upgrades like an 8-speaker audio system, Sport-specific seating surfaces, leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel, paddle shifters for the CVT and sport pedals.
The next package, the EX-L, is the priciest at $26,600. The jumps you up to a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder model mated to the CVT. That combo results in 180 hp and 177 pound-feet of torque. Blind-spot information, leather seats, an 8-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, heated outside mirrors, a one-touch power sliding moonroof, and dual-zone automatic climate control all come standard.
Finally, the biggest bucks at $29,400, the Sport Touring model gives you the same turbocharged 4-cylinder, but it’s paired with the 6-speed manual is now an option. It gets special fog lights and machine-finished 18-inch alloys.
For the inside, a Bose premium audio system starts things off, with a new 9-inch color touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An all-digital and customizable 10.2-inch instrument display is standard, along with dual rear 2.5-amp USB charging points, four-way power passenger seat and leather-wrapped steering wheel round it out.
Made in America
The automaker invested $50.2 million at its plant in Greensburg, Indiana to build the next-generation model of the Civic. It’s the first time since the Civic began being produced in the U.S. that the hatchback is being made here.
The Indiana plant, also known as IAP, started production of the Civic in October 2008. As the first Honda plant in the U.S. to build the 2022 Civic Hatchback, this all-new model represents yet another production first for the Greensburg plant, the company noted. IAP also was the first Honda plant in the U.S. to build the Acura ILX (2012), Honda Insight (2019) and CR-V Hybrid (2020).
“We are proud the Indiana Auto Plant has been chosen to lead production in North America for an all-new model like the 2022 Civic Hatchback that is playing an increasingly important role in the U.S. market,” said Larry Geise, plant lead at IAP.
“Being selected to build the Civic Hatchback speaks to the experienced workforce we have here in Indiana and highlights the confidence Honda has in our associates to build the quality cars and light trucks our customers love.”
All of these new hatchback offerings still don’t end the run of options for the new Civic. The company is promising two new high-performance models yet: the Si and Type R.