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The 2022 Honda Civic hatchback, the sportier sibling to the sedan revealed earlier, has been previewed by spy shots on the Civic XI forum as reported by CNET’s Roadshow. Added to the sedan, the hatchback will join the also likely-planned Si and Type R as the four permutations offered in the U.S.
From its outward appearance, there are very few similarities between the 10th generation Civic and its newly penned sibling. A more modern version of Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) structure was utilized to add rigidity and greater protection for both driver and riders. In addition, the latest version of Honda Sensing, with the most advanced ADAS and road safety technology has been thrown into the mix.
Whether you applaud or not is probably dependent upon whether you’re a Hondaophile. Honda has confirmed they will continue U.S. production of the Civic by building the hatchback at the Greensburg plant in Indiana. Of the 10.5 million Honda Civics produced to date in North America, about half were in the U.S., with the remainder in Ontario, Canada.
The Civic emerged as one of the most influential automotive designs of the 1970s, the first European-style compact car offered in Japan, a level of sophistication never before seen in this class. The Civic quickly inspired its competitors to respond in kind. It also became something of a symbol of resistance to the Oil Embargo, when the Arab Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries targeted nations who supported Israel during the Yom Kippur War by reducing its oil supply.
Known as the Honda Shibikku in Japan, the Civic began in 1972 as a subcompact, graduating to the compact class in 2000, where it remains. A three-door hatchback, two-door, and four-door fastbacks were the first body styles, which grew to include a wagon and a sedan, the latter first seen in 1980. The first generation Honda Civic was introduced in July 1972 but sold as a 1973 model.
We might be getting ahead of ourselves to call the 2022 Civic hatchback’s debut its golden anniversary. We’ll have to see what Honda’s marketing brain trust comes up with to herald the arrival of the next-generation Civic. Gold being the traditional 50th-anniversary gift because it symbolizes timelessness, compassion, courage, and wisdom.
Whatever happened to the golden days, whatever happened to the plans we made, whatever happened to the late-night drives?
[Images: Honda]
The taillight treatment is very Audi.
I’ll withhold final judgement until I see one of these in the wild. But the incoming Civic doesn’t look sporty to me at all. That doesn’t mean that it’s not better than the outgoing generation, of course. But it looks very conservative and very “safe” stylistically. Which makes sense given the automotive tastes of most Honda buyers and how wrong the company got it last time. But I can’t imagine an Si or R with this basic body.
I can. I imagine the Si and/or the R will feature this body with huge spoilers, plastic body-cladding and ground effects. (Those former Pontiac stylists had to go somewhere.)
There are only so many graphic configurations possible, so we’re at the point that most designs will remind you of another design. This is made worse by the need for cars to be so aerodynamic, in order to meet CAFE requirements.
Along with the pedestrian crash-regs, etc.!
The taillights actually have an H/K vibe, and Honda generally puts out sucktastic PR photography, so the cars themselves look better IRL. 10th-Gen Civic excluded, though they still sell a ton of ‘em!
I’m just glad they’re ditching the current generations hideous styling (overstyling?) that features more seams than Frankenstein’s monster. I had a copper colored 1981 manual hatch that was ridiculously reliable. Also had a 1990 manual hatch in my youth that I thought updated the design nicely without sacrificing the practicality of the overall package. Then they created that crazy split-folding tailgate and it went downhill fast, in my opinion, ending in the absurd creation that is now called a Civic but looks like an 80s Mitsubishi. If the promotional photos are representative of the final model, Honda has a chance of bringing back respectability to those of us who like frugal, efficient cars. Of course, this depends on what they choose to charge for it. I have a feeling the price, the “standard” features that people like me don’t want (lane-keeping nannies, rear cross-traffic sensors that aren’t needed in a car of this size, etc.), and the lack of a manual transmission will keeps old mechanics like me searching the used car ads.
Wow, not just reliable but ridiculously reliable. That’s pretty reliable.
@teddyc73,
Your perpetual sniping might be slightly less tiresome if you occasionally posted an original thought.
Double secret reliable.
The Civic has been a winner for Honda for half a century. I have owned several over the years, and we have one in the family right how.
So it makes you wonder why in Japan they call it the Honda Shi*****.
UK stops Honda production
http://www.dw.com/en/uk-honda-halts-production-at-swindon-plant-over-supply-chain-issues/a-55884085
Much, much better.
I agree. Huge improvement.
If they would sell the Touring trim (I need LED headlights and adjustable lumbar) with a stick, I would buy it in a heartbeat.
Yay, a hatch! But, wow, whose styling details didn’t they steal! VW grille and headlights, Corolla lower front facia, Lexus taillights, Caddy C-pillar.
I’d be surprised if Honda didn’t manage to put an actual window in the C-pillar, whereas purported luxury brand Cadillac makes due with an oversized plastic applique.
I swear the Orientals pull their automobile rear ends out of a catalog. They all look so similar.
@teddyc73,
I might need to amend my earlier comment. Your original thoughts could use some work, too.
Your original thought is to express your bigotry?
Obvious question unanswered in the story, what is going to be produced in the Ontario, Canada plant?
Is a 2 door hatchback with a stick available? If not then the golden years have not returned.
Former ’85 Civic S1500 hatch owner here. I put over 160K on that car during high school and college… easily one of the best cars I ever owned.
A 2 door hatchback with a stick… we have the Mini 3 door, the Fiat 500, and I’m drawing a blank after that.
Even the Europeans are leaving the segment in droves, so as much as I miss our old V6 MX-3 and the good old days of 3 door hatches, those days are long over. I think the only place we’ll see two doors in the future will be pure sports cars like Miata/911 and micro EVs like Renault Twizy/Citroën Ami.
GR Yaris to the rescue. Not in NA, though :(
Bear in mind, the hatch doesn’t have the 75 HP engine anymore. The current 4-door hatch has 180 turboed HP. OTOH, it has a CVT.
I’m a shiftless oldtimer who doesn’t care to row my oars anymore. But I’ll go back to the 5-speed in my 1983 Accord hatchback rather than take a CVT.
The old 4-speed Hondamatic in my sister’s ’83 hatch got the same overall mileage mine got, but the 5-speed was quicker 0-60 as well as around town. My clutch lasted longer than her Hondamatic, though.
Civic in the front, A3 in the back. The orange paint is a nice touch, too.
It looks good. Not amazing, but good, like a little M5 in the rear 3/4 view, like it’s rear drive. I have a feeling that the production configuration will sit at least an inch higher, and the wheels won’t be quite so flush with the fender lips… and it won’t look quite as cool until the owners mod it back into shape.
I am of the older generation and will appreciate the new look. All the fake vents and huge wing with unbearable rims and tires for street use is what kept me away from already making a purchase of the current SI and Type R.
… Honda could at least give options if you want that huge spoiler or track rims and tires. And chill out on the interior also and get rid of cloth arm rest and console coverings. Or give me the Accord back with an SI type package.
The world needs more oranges. The last Civic I test-drove was a 2018 in that most wonderful of all colors, silver. Was only slightly better because it was a 2 litre and a manual.
This car looks like the update VW should have used for the Jetta.
Looks like another typical 90s and 2000’s dull car design. Full House era.. They wanted to appease the boomer crowd again. Fugg, they already have the Accord for dull designs. Keep the civic fun and experimental. The Del Sol was rad. Missing the 10th generation already…