2022 Honda Civic Leaked in China
While the Honda Civic Sedan Prototype we saw last year was already a shoo-in for the production model, there’s always a chance that the brand will go against its own instincts and try to dazzle us with something that’s never coming to market. But it’s one of those “snowball in hell” kind of deals.
In addition to Honda being ultra-consistent and delivering prototypes that actually represent for-sale models, an example of the 2022 model year Civic leaked in China and we doubt the company has any intention of redoing the exterior just to surprise our market.
Regardless, it’s the spitting image of the prototype and its more-adult (see: Accord-like) styling. While the model with the black mirror caps and spoiler could be the promised Si version (Honda said it would be a sedan), the Type R is supposed to be hatchback only. The manufacturer also made it sound as though performance variants wouldn’t debut until after the base model appeared. But we’re inclined to believe Honda isn’t making many market-exclusive trims for global products like the Civic, so our money is on the Si.
While the same might not be true for powertrains, documentation from the California Air Resources Board has indicated that the United States is supposed to see the same 1.5 and 2.0-liter motors used on the current-generation Civic. However, those engines are likely to receive a handful of updates, though affixing them to a new transmission does not appear to be among them.
Odds are good that we’ll see an official debut within the next few weeks. Honda said to expect the new Civic to take the stage this spring and we’re only a few days away from the March equinox.
[Images: Civic11Forum.com]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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If it leaked in China, will it leak in the United States? Accord upfront, Jetta in the back. I like it.
The rear view looks very 2015 Hyundai Sonata-ish, while the rest a less porcine Accord.