2022 Honda Civic Hatchback Preview
- Now built in the United States instead of the United Kingdom
- Like the sedan, the Civic hatchback has a stiffer structure for improved ride quality, handling, and crash safety
- Honda will offer both 2.0-liter and turbocharged 1.5-liter engines
- You can still get a 6-speed manual transmission as an alternative to the CVT
- The 2022 Honda Civic hatchback has sportier suspension tuning than the Civic sedan
A week after the redesigned 2022 Honda Civic sedan began arriving at dealerships, Honda has released key details on the sedan's four-door hatchback companion. Compared to its predecessor, the 2022 Honda Civic hatchback is longer, lower, and more adult in appearance.
As before, Honda will offer the new Civic hatchback in LX, Sport, EX-L, and Sport Touring trim levels. For 2022, Honda will offer its naturally aspirated 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine on the LX and Sport, which should keep base prices more in line with the Civic sedan. The automaker will reserve the turbocharged 1.5-liter engine for the EX-L and Sport Touring. Both the Sport and Sport Touring will have an available manual transmission. Otherwise, you can have an improved version of Honda's continuously variable transmission (CVT).
There's still no announcement on the next installment of the high-performance Civic Type R hatch, but Honda has previously confirmed its return. All 2022 Honda Civic hatchback versions will roll down the same assembly line in Greenburg, Indiana.
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There's nothing awkward or fussy about the 2022 Honda Civic hatchback's styling. It resembles European sportbacks such as the Audi A5 and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. Compared to the outgoing hatch, the new Civic has a more upright grille, and its A-pillars have been pulled rearward nearly 2 inches. Around back, the hatch has a new, lightweight composite structure that allows the use of smaller hinges. The result is a cleaner silhouette.
Wheel sizes range from 16 inches on the LX to 18 inches on both Sport trims. New paint color choices include Boost Blue Pearl (as seen in the photos) and Smoky Mauve Pearl.
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Inside, the 2022 Honda Civic hatchback looks very much like the Civic sedan right down to the fully digital instrument panel and metal honeycomb dash trim that conceals the air vents.
Honda says its seat designers targeted improved comfort on long road trips. The EX-L and Sport Touring have standard perforated leather upholstery. If you want full cloth seats, the LX has you covered, while the Sport will offer a combination of cloth and presumably leatherette.
According to Honda, rear legroom has increased by more than an inch, thanks to the 2022 Civic hatchback's longer wheelbase. The automaker reports that rear headroom is unchanged, even though the new car stands nearly an inch shorter than before. This, too, is thanks to the smaller hinges on the composite hatch.
Honda has not released cargo capacity numbers for the 2022 model, but they're unlikely to change much from the previous Civic hatchback. A 1.6-inch wider hatch opening should make it easier to load up at your favorite big-box retailer, though. The cargo cover will have an unconventional, side-pull design.
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