Overview
Honda’s popular Civic compact car is in for a big glow-up for the 2022 model year as it debuts a more grown-up appearance, new features, and a refined cabin design. A selection of four-cylinder engines—including a turbocharged 1.5-liter—are offered; front-wheel drive will continue to be standard as Honda insists all-wheel drive is not part of the plan. Updated tech features such as a larger infotainment display, wireless smartphone connectivity, and improved driver-assistance features are all meaningful updates that will help the Civic stave off competition from the likes of the Hyundai Elantra, the Mazda 3, and the Toyota Corolla. The all-new Civic sedan is expected to go on sale in summer 2021 with hatchback models following shortly after.
What’s New for 2022?
The Civic is all-new for 2022, with a redesigned body, updated interior, and—purportedly—better performance. Honda has released official info on the sedan but we’ve only spied a prototype version of the hatchback variant so far.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Although we expect the pricing of the 2022 Civic to be similar to that of the outgoing 2021 model, Honda hasn’t released a full list of standard and optional features, so it’s difficult to choose the one that represents the best value. In the past, we’ve been fans of the affordable Sport model, but depending on the car’s available features, that could change. When we find out more about the Civic’s packaging and pricing, we’ll update this story with details.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Even though it has redesigned everything else about the new Civic, Honda has decided to carry over the powertrain options from the previous-generation car. Base models come standard with a 158-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder while the upgrade engine continues to be a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder that now makes 180 horsepower. The new Civic will remain solely a front-wheel-drive car with no all-wheel drive option anywhere in the lineup. Sadly, the manual transmission offered on the previous generation Civic has been cut for 2022, leaving a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) as the sole offering. At least it’s a good one. Sporty Si and high-performance Type-R variants are also in the works and both will offer a manual transmission; we review those models separately.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
According to the EPA, the most fuel efficient version of the new Civic is the mid-range EX, which earns ratings of 33 mpg city, 42 mpg highway, and 36 mpg combined. When we get a chance to test the new small Honda, we’ll take it on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route and report its results here. For more information about the Civic’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
A more streamlined interior design debuts in the 2022 Civic, with cleaner lines and a dashboard featuring a full-width honeycomb-patterned mesh design element that cleverly hides the air vents. A wider center console appears less cluttered than the outgoing model’s and features what looks like a large, deep bin ahead of the shift lever for stashing smartphones, keys, and road-trip snacks. Honda says passenger space is roughly the same as the 2021 model, and the same goes for cargo room in the sedan; a hatchback body style will also be offered, but we don’t yet have information on that model.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The 2022 Civic will come standard with a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display, but a larger 9.0-inch unit is optional, as is a 10.2-inch digital gauge display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard and also offer wireless connectivity when paired with the larger of the two screens. Other options include in-dash navigation, a Bose stereo system, and a wireless smartphone charging pad.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
A host of driver-assistance features will be offered as standard, including automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection and an adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. For more information about the Civic’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking
- Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Standard adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Honda’s standard warranty package is merely average, with rivals such as the Elantra and Kia Forte offering more comprehensive coverage. Buyers of the Civic also won’t find any complimentary scheduled maintenance plan, something the Corolla offers as standard.
- Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
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