Honda revealed a bigger and better-equipped 2022 Civic compact sedan Wednesday evening, adding new levels of technology and a new company-wide infotainment interface to the 11th generation of one of America’s favorite cars.
The new model does not have a hybrid model or any advanced electrification, but EPA fuel economy estimates improve 1-2 mpg, depending on the model.
American’s have bought 12 million Civics since the little car launched Honda on the path to success. Honda says it’s the No. 3 selling passenger car in the U.S. over the last 48 years.
The exterior design borrows from Honda’s larger Accord sedan, with a long hood, short rear deck and sweeping horizontal grille and headlights that emphasize the appearance of width.
The 2022 Civic has more passenger space but a smaller trunk than the outgoing model.
It adds standard safety and driver assistance features. The top Touring model gets upscale features including Bose audio and a 9-inch touch screen.
Prices will be announced closer to the start of sales this summer.
Honda will build the 2022 Civic sedan in Alliston, Ontario. A hatchback version will come from a plant in Greensburg, Indiana. More information about the hatchback will be available later.
2022 Honda Civic safety and driver assistance features
—Head-trauma reducing front air bags
—Rear seat side air bags
—Blind spot alert
—Collision/pedestrian/cyclist alert
—Road sign recognition
—Adaptive cruise control
—Lane-keeping assist
Selected features on Touring model
—Customizable LCD instrument cluster
—12-speaker Bose audio
—9-inch touch screen
—Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
—Wireless charging
Interior controls and materials
The interior features a touch screen standing above a trio of climate-control dials in the center stack. Beneath it, a honeycomb mesh accent runs the width of the dash and incorporates the air vents.
In the latest installment of the popular game “Why'd they do that?” the Civic will have both volume and tuning dials — good, in my view — on base models with the 7-inch touch screen, but only a volume dial on the top Touring trim level. The Touring comes with standard 12-speaker Bose audio, a first for the Civic.
Honda says the center console trim minimizes fingerprints and smudges.
Touring models get a 10.2-inch configurable LCD gauge cluster, while the LX, Sport and EX will have mechanical gauges.
More powerful 1.5L turbo
Honda pulled the A-pillar back 2 inches to create a longer hood for the appearance of a larger, upscale car. The Civic’s wheelbase grows 1.4 inches to 107.7. Overall length increases 1.3 inches to 184. Curb weight increases a bit over 100 pounds, depending on the model.
The Civic offers two four-cylinder engines. The base 2.0L’s output is unchanged at 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. The 1.5L gains 6 hp to 180 and 15 pound-feet of torque to 177 at 1,700-4,500 rpm.
A continuously variable automatic transmission is standard. The Sport and Touring models have paddle shifters on the steering column.
Fuel economy improves 1 or 2 mpg. The most fuel-efficient Civic, the EX, rated 32 mpg city, 42 highway and 36 combined in EPA tests. The LX and Touring both check in at 33 mpg combined while the Sport scored 32.
Honda attributes the fuel economy increase in part to low-drag front brake calipers and low-friction front and rear wheel bearings.
Honda gave the front MacPherson strut suspension new low-friction ball joints and damper mounts to improve steering feel and return to center. The rear track is a half-inch wider for more stability. New parts aim to improve straight-line stability and turn-in while reducing cabin noise and vibration.
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2022 Honda Civic sedan at a glance
Base price: TBA
Front-wheel drive five-seat compact sedan
On sale summer 2021
Engines: 138-hp 2.0L four-cylinder or 180-hp 1.5L 4-cyl turbo.
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
EPA estimated fuel economy: 32-36 mpg combined city/highway driving, depending on model.
Wheelbase: 107.7 inches
Length: 184 inches
Width: 70.9 inches
Height: 55.7 inches
Curb weight: 2,877-3,077 pounds
Passenger volume: LX, Sport: 99.0 cubic feet; EX, Touring: 96.6 cubic feet
Cargo volume: LX, Sport: 14.8 cubic feet; EX, Touring: 14.4 cubic feet
Assembled in Alliston, Ontario
