The 2022 Honda Civic is a cleaner, simpler compact sedan
Honda just unveiled its 11th-generation 2022 Civic Prototype via a livestream on Twitch, the foremost live-streaming platform on the internet with more than 17.5 million visitors daily.
Why does that digital-age jargon matter in the least? Since the 10th-generation Civic debuted in 2015, Honda has sold more than 1.5 million examples in America. Since 2011, the Civic has been the most-purchased vehicle by millennials, according to Honda. It also says that Civic is the most trusted nameplate among millennials and the even-younger Gen Z, and given that those generations are firmly ensconced in the world of live-streaming, the reveal makes more than a little sense—COVID pandemic aside. It also sheds light on exactly the demographic Honda is hoping to reach with this toned-down Civic design.
Honda says this is a prototype, but it’s fairly clear that the new Civic will look almost exactly like this in production form. So far, we like what we see. While the 10th generation wasn’t a bad design, it did look rather busy from certain angles—especially if you spelled Civic with an R. The 11th-gen is a return to form for the big H—subdued, without being overly boring. Sans crystal ball, we expect the 11th-generation to age far better than the boy-racer 10th. The low beltline and wide, low stance fall more in line with the Insight and Accord models that currently populate Honda dealership lots. We’re also digging this new Solar Flare Pearl paint job.
As far as body styles go, you’re looking at the four-door sedan, but there’s also a hatchback on the way. Sadly, we don’t expect a standard Civic Coupe to make its return—Honda killed off that low-selling variant earlier this year. The 11th-generation Civic family will eventually offer a higher-performance Civic Si and a top-tier Type R after that, similar to the model walk the current generation enjoys. Here’s hoping Honda will fulfill our deep desire for an Si hatchback, with the Coupe likely gone for good.
The 11th-generation Civic will bring with it a new chassis, as well as more powerful powertrains and the new tech that younger buyers value. Honda isn’t confirming powertrain details, but for now we’re banking on updated versions of Honda’s naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder, 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, and 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines. Currently, the free-breathing 2.0-liter is good for 158 horsepower in the lower-trim LX and Sport Civics, while the forced-induction 1.5-liter found in the EX, EX-L, and Touring models delivers 174 horses. The Si also boasts the boosted one-five but offers 205 horsepower in that application. The top-dog 2.0-liter turbo-four in the Type R is good for 306 horsepower.
Inside, Honda promises an all-new digital gauge cluster, as well as a new nine-inch full HD audio display touchscreen adorning the central portion of the new Civic’s dashboard. We don’t know much beyond that, but expect yet another sensibly laid-out cockpit that adheres to Honda’s “Man-Maximum, Machine-Minimum” design philosophy. The interior sketch below depicts a gear shifter that looks decidedly un-manual, but we’re hopeful that at least a few variants aside from the Type R will offer manual gearboxes. The Si is a sure bet, but we’re holding out hope for the Civic Sport, too.
The new Civic lineup officially breaks cover late next spring. Until then, enjoy the wildly geometric video unveiling the Civic below.
