At the end of last year, Honda gave us a glimpse of the prototype for the upcoming 11th generation Honda Civic. Now, Honda officially unveils the 2022 Honda Civic Sedan with a fresh design, a sleek interior, new technology, improved chassis, and enhanced powertrains.
Fortunately, the design of this new Civic has been refined in terms of lines and curves, giving it a much cleaner and more elegant look than its predecessor.
It features a smaller grille, slimmer and horizontal headlights, and a relatively flat waistline that wraps around the car. The car has a rear track half an inch wider and broader taillights. We see LED lighting both at the front and rear. The new Civic is slightly larger, with an additional 1.4 inches in wheelbase and 1.3 inches in overall length.
The interior boasts a neat appearance, with a somewhat retro-looking mesh pattern on the dashboard. A standard 7-inch touchscreen is featured in LX, Sport, and EX models, while the Touring model has a 9-inch unit atop the dashboard. The Touring model also includes a 10.2-inch LCD instrument display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.
Under the hood, the Civic LX and Sport are powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter I4, delivering 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. EX and Touring models use a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. Each version utilizes a revised continuously variable transmission, specifically tuned for each engine, with simulated gear shifts. All models see slightly improved fuel economy, with the LX achieving 31 mpg city, 40 mpg highway, and 35 combined.
Honda promises improved driving dynamics for the new Honda Civic, with a stiffer body, the aforementioned gains in wheelbase and rear track, and revised front and rear suspension. The MacPherson front suspension features low-friction ball joints and front strut mount bearings, which, according to Honda, enhance steering feel and response. The multi-link rear suspension, with its new bushings, reduces vibration and improves straight-line stability and cornering. Honda claims it reduces the impact on rough roads, such as railroad crossings, by 20%.
The new Civic comes with enhanced safety features, including upgraded front airbags for the driver and passenger to better control head movement in a crash. The Honda Sensing driver-assistance package is standard and includes improved cameras and processors for better recognition of pedestrians, cyclists, and traffic signs. It also enhances adaptive cruise control with quicker reactions and provides a more natural lane-keeping assistance feel.
So far, Honda has only shown us the 11th generation sedan, but we have seen the new hatchback version spotted in recent spy shots, including the athletic Type R. We like what we are seeing, but the most exciting news about the Civic is still pending.
