Meet The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback, It's Quite Handsome!

It's only been a couple of months since Honda introduced the 11th generation 2022 Honda Civic Sedan to the world, but in a bid to attract "active young buyers", Honda has quickly followed up the conventional Civic body shape with the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback.

According to Honda, the 11th generation 2022 Civic Hatchback is the most fun-to-drive Civic Hatchback ever, combining striking, Euro-inspired exterior styling and five-door versatility with an even sportier driving experience.

This is also the first 11th generation Civic body shape confirmed for markets outside of the United States, but unfortunately, we are still most likely to get only the Sedan in Malaysia. 

Inspired by the current in-style coupe-like profiles of European Sportbacks, the 2022 Civic Hatchback builds upon the Civic Sedan's clean and simple exterior design direction but in a fresh and sporty way. 

It also promises driving enthusiasts an even more dynamic experience, with ride and handling developed in Europe and an upgraded 6-speed manual transmission available with both the naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre and 1.5-liter turbocharged engines.

The 2022 Civic Hatchback includes all of the technological updates given to the 2022 Civic Sedan, including a new standard single-camera Honda Sensing® suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies. They've also given buyers some pretty awesome optional add ons in the form of a 9-inch colour touchscreen, 12 speaker Bose premium sound system, Qi wireless smartphone charging and a 10.2-inch all-digital instrument display.

Exterior 

Its low hood, front fenders, and horizontal beltline give the impression that it has a low stance as it accentuates the wheels and tires. Compared to the 10th-generation Civic Hatchback, its windshield pillars also have been moved rearward by nearly 2 inches (1.96 inches), its wheelbase is 1.4-inches longer, and its rear track is 0.5-inch wider.

To add to this already sporty look, the 2022 qCivic Hatchback has been given a distinctive grille mesh with a slightly concave shape. This honeycomb looking grille really does give it some of its own identity over its sedan sibling.

The Hatchback's sleek roofline is made possible by a new lightweight composite hatch which also saw Honda moving the hinge mechanism outward, allowing a roof height reduction of 50 mm in the hinge area. 

A unique taillight design and centre high-mounted stop lamp (CHMSL) that spans nearly the entire width of its hatch is used to emphasize the Hatchback's wider rear track.

Eight colours will be made available on the 2022 Civic Hatchback, including two new hues: Boost Blue Pearl and Smokey Mauve Pearl.

Interior

The 2022 Civic Hatchback's interior is similar to the critically acclaimed cabin of the Civic Sedan. The new interior is simple, clean and uncluttered, with excellent ergonomics that is driver-centric. 

Like the sedan, the new metal honeycomb instrument panel accent isn't just visually striking, it also hides the air vents. According to Honda, the materials used in the cabin are a class-above, especially on touchpoints, and careful attention has been paid to the premium action of all switchgear and controls.

In the rear, the 2022 Civic Hatchback features larger side windows, a new small corner window in the C-pillar and a single piece rear window to enhance rearward visibility, creating a more spacious and airy feeling for rear-seat passengers.

Being a hatchback, naturally, the rear legroom has been improved by nearly 1.4 inches. According to Honda, they have managed to preserve the rear headroom thanks to the new hinge design for the new composite hatch we mentioned earlier.

The hatch also comes with a 60/40 split seatback and can be quickly folded for expanded capacity. The side-pull cargo cover from its predecessor returns.

Honda's included some new "Body Stabilizing Seats", which enhances comfort on long drives. Some variants of the Civic Hatchback get the perforated leather seats with added shoulder support as available in Sport Touring grades. 2022 Civic Hatchback LX and Sport feature cloth and combination seat trim, respectively.

Driving Dynamics

Remember earlier where Honda said that this is the most fun-to-drive Civic Hatchback ever? Well, if it's true, it's probably because of its new body structure, which shows significant gains in rigidity, with a 19% improvement in torsional rigidity versus the previous generation. 

The stiffer structure supports improvements in ride, handling and refinement. Reductions in noise, vibration, and harshness are further improved with extensive structural adhesives, spray-in foam in the pillars, and additional sound deadening in the firewall and under the floor.

To meet current and anticipated future collision standards while minimizing additional weight, the 2022 Civic Hatchback uses the next generation of Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure. 

Powertrain

The 11th-generation 2022 Civic Hatchback offers two engine choices for the first time, and both will be available with a 6-speed manual transmission. 

The LX and Sports variant utilizes a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre 4-cylinder, producing 158 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 138Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm. It's coupled with a revised CVT that enhances fuel efficiency by using a more robust electric hydraulic pump that reduces the load on the mechanical pump and a ball-bearing secondary shaft to reduce friction. 

Honda adds that the CVT has also has been programmed to provide early downshifts during braking and features revised Step-Shift programming that simulates physical gear changes under hard acceleration for a more familiar and enjoyable driving experience. 

Powering the EX-L and Sport Touring trims is a turbocharged 1.5-litre 4-cylinder producing 180 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 240Nm of torque from 1,700 - 4,500rpm. Multiple measures contribute to improved fuel economy ratings, including a new, more efficient turbo plumbing and the addition of Variable Timing and lift Electronic Control (VTEC®) to the exhaust valves. 

The CVT for the 1.5-litre turbo features improved torque converter performance while also adopting revised Step-Shift programming.

A new 6-speed manual transmission is available in Sport and Sport Touring grades. The transmission has been revised for an even sportier feel with improved shift rigidity and shorter shift throws. A new dual-mass flywheel helps reduce noise and vibration transmitted through the drivetrain.

We're almost sure we're not going to get the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback in Malaysia but we can dream, can't we? Maybe if enough of us make the request of Honda Malaysia, they might, just might bring it in? 


 

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