2021 Honda Civic Hatchback makes its world premiere in the US.
Having given the world a clear view of the car a few days ago, Honda has finally revealed the new Honda Civic in its entirety. Now in its 11th generation, the Honda Civic has once again evolved from the bold and flashy sedan it was in its previous generation, to a quieter three-box sedan that aims to build on the strengths of its predecessor. What’s clear from the images of the 2022 Honda Civic is that the production model hasn’t strayed too far from the concept design, which debuted last year.
The new Civic adheres to the wide, low stance the world now associates with a Civic, but the design and styling are in stark contrast to the previous model. Honda has packed up the sharp angles and wrinkles, and the new Civic opts for cleaner surfaces and an overall more mature appearance.
The production-spec Civic’s face closely resembles that of the prototype: the LED headlights (with LED DRL eyebrows) are embedded in the fascia, with the slim grille positioned slightly further forward, and the front bumper houses a large radiator grille, with LED fog lights positioned in the C-shaped housings on either side of it.
The bold shoulder line originates from the front fender and extends to the taillights, and the window line has a subtle kink as it extends into the D-pillar, a nod to the current generation Accord (in sale abroad). The production model is understandably ditching the prototype’s 19-inch, 10-spoke alloys in favor of wheels ranging from 16 to 18 inches in diameter.
A 36mm increase in wheelbase promises to free up more rear-seat space for the 2022 Honda Civic. Image: Honda
Under the skin, the new Honda Civic retains the foundations of the current model, but with a few key enhancements to add stiffness so the new Civic has better driving dynamics. It has a 36mm longer wheelbase, as well as a wider rear track.
The 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback has a dual-screen setup inside. Image: Honda
Inside, the new Honda Civic has a floating 9.0-inch touchscreen (7.0-inch on lower-spec variants), a 10.2-inch display for the fully digital instrument display, and a honeycomb mesh that extends across the entire dash width and houses the air conditioning vents. Another key addition is the presence of an electronic parking brake. The increased wheelbase also leaves a bit more room for rear-seat passengers.
Honda has previously confirmed that the 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback has several active and passive safety features, new airbag designs, and driver assistance systems. It features what Honda calls a donut-shaped driver-side airbag, which is said to support the head in a crash, and a three-sided passenger airbag, which opens like a book to improve comfort. front passenger protection.
In the US, Honda will offer two gasoline engine options: a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, a naturally aspirated unit that generates 160 hp and 187 Nm of torque, and a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder turbo unit that produces 182. hp and 240 Nm of torque. Both engines will be mated to a CVT automatic transmission.
In India, the current-generation Honda Civic was discontinued in 2020 alongside the Honda CR-V, as the company closed operations at its Greater Noida plant. The main hurdles for the Civic in India were its high price, as well as weak powertrain combinations, so the sedan struggled to find favor even after making a much-anticipated comeback in the Indian market. Given what happened to its predecessor, it seems highly unlikely that the 11th generation Honda Civic will make it to India.
She is a freelance blogger, writer, and speaker, and writes for various entertainment magazines.