2022 All-New Honda Civic Goes On Sale In The US – When Will Malaysia Likely Get It?

The 11-generation 2022 Honda Civic has officially gone on sale in the US – this marks the earliest market deliveries of the much-anticipated model, before various versions of the new car get introduced in other markets around the world.

The Civic Sedan is the first in a series of new 11th-generation 2022 Civic variants that will soon include a hatchback, and high-performance Si and Type-R models making up the most comprehensive model lineup ever in the US.

The four variants on offer start with the 2022 Civic 2.0L LX at USD21,700 followed by the 2.0L Sport (USD23,100), 1.5L Turbo EX (USD24,700) and 1.5 Turbo Touring at USD28,300 – the latter being no more expensive than the model it replaces despite carrying more equipment and safety features.

In terms of power, the US-market naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine develops 158hp, mated to a CVT-type transmission. The more powerful 1.5L-turbo four-cylinder – now with exhaust-side variable-valve timing (VTEC) produces 180hp (up by 6hp) and 240Nm (20Nm more than its predecessor) – also mated to a CVT-transmission that’s been retuned for better response. The power numbers of the 1.5-litre turbo engines for the US are indicative of what other markets; even Malaysia could receive later on.

In addition, all US-market Civics come standard with the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assistive features such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and the Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) – now improved with more features such as Traffic Jam Assist and rear seatbelt reminder as standard.

The new system uses a new single-camera system that provides a wider field of view than the previous radar-and-camera-based system. Combined with software advances and a new, more powerful processor, the system can more quickly and accurately identify pedestrians, bicyclists, and other vehicles.

In terms of equipment, this simplified list of what US-market variants receive sheds some light on what the other markets will likely imitate down the line:

2022 Civic 2.0 LX

• Honda Sensing
• 7-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Push-start button
• Partial digital instrumentation
• LED headlights

2022 Civic 2.0 Sport

• 18-inch wheels
• Black exterior trim
• 8-speaker audio system
• Sport-interior trim
• Leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel
• Paddle shifters, sport pedal
• Sport driving model

2022 Civic 1.5L EX

• Blind-spot information (BLIS)
• Power sliding moonroof
• Heated seats and outside mirrors
• Dual-zone climate control

2022 Civic 1.5L Touring

• 9-inch Touchscreen display
• Bose premium sound system (first for a Civic)
• 10.2-inch digital instrument display
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Sport driving mode
• Wireless smartphone charging
• LED fog lights
• Low-speed braking control (first for a Civic)

As mentioned before, the US market 2022 Civic will be produced at Honda’s Alliston plant in Ontario Canada, while a hatchback model – which will join later on – will be made in Honda’s Greensburg plant in Indiana after the imminent closing of Honda’s UK plant in Swindon.

As the new model inches ever closer to ASEAN soil, the question remains when are we likely to get the all-new 2022 Honda Civic? Markets in Europe are likely to receive the new model later this year, and test mules have already been spied in Japan ahead of a likely late-2021 launch.

However given the market-specific localisation of the Civic (and the fact that we will get the sedan version) and not the hatchback such as Japan and Europe, it is likely that the new model will only reach ASEAN shores in 2022, perhaps in the first half of the year at the earliest. Singapore might get it even sooner, but as their cars are fully imported, it doesn't really count. 

Given the scale and capability of Honda’s operations in Thailand, they will receive the model typically 4-6 months earlier than Malaysia, therefore, we are possibly looking at a timeline of Q3/Q4 of 2022 for a local market launch of our very own C-Segment leading Honda Civic.