Refined looks, tech for ’22 Civic
Honda Civic owners have been among the most loyal to their brand for many years. Give them a minute and Civic folks will chatter about its reliability, fuel economy and value.
The popular compact sedan has been redesigned inside and out for 2022 and that is likely to bolster the loyalty. The 11th-generation Civic has a longer and sleeker body, improved handling traits and a more refined cabin with upgraded technology.
About the only thing the Japanese carmaker left unchanged are the two powertrains from last year, a 2.0-liter four and a turbocharged 1.5-liter, both paired with a CVT (continuously variable transmission). Oh, and Honda dropped the manual transmission from the sedan; only the hatchback can get the 6-speed manual.
Exterior changes are modest but effective. It has a longer nose and more aggressive profile. It also gets a slightly wider track, longer wheelbase and longer body by 1.4 inches. The top-line Touring has flashier 18-inch wheels, flatblack grille accents and LED headlights and foggers.
The Touring gets the peppier of the two engines. The 1.5-liter turbo compiles 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, and
the power is sent to the front wheels only. No all-wheeldrive available here.
The low-end torque is competent for brisk starts from the traffic light. Activate Sport mode and the Civic stiffens a bit and lengthens the CVT’s simulated shifts. Other drive modes include Normal and Econ.
Despite chassis refinements, handling is unchanged from last year, and that’s a good thing: Steering is nicely weighted and honest, making tight spaces a breeze. An updated suspension keeps the Civic flat enough on sharper curves, yet it’s tuned to tame the road bumps and dips for greater comfort.
On the highway, the ride is comfortable and stable, with minimal road noise.
The cabin has a cleaner look this year, accented by a broad honeycombpatterned strip that stretches across the dash.
Passenger space remains the same but Honda boosted luggage space: With a low trunk floor, it can accommodate 14.4 cubic feet of stuff.
Leather seats are heated, supportive and comfortable with good space even for 6-footers. With 8-way power adjustments and tilt/ telescoping wheel, finding an advantageous driving position shouldn’t be a problem for anyone.
Sitting atop the dash in the Touring trim is a new 9-inch touchscreen — the others get a 7-incher. It houses a new-for-2022 infotainment system which is simple to figure out and use. Honda added wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, too, plus a wireless phone changer.
Honda upgraded its safety features within its Honda Sensing system. It includes adaptive cruise control with emergency braking, but this year improved its camera system for better detection of pedestrians and bicyclists. The system now has traffic-jam assist for stopand-go driving and redesigned air bags.
With 12 million sold since its inception as a
50-hp buggy in 1973, the Honda Civic remains the third-bestselling sedan in the U.S. Now the Civic has upped its game and looks and feels a bit more upscale.
And, with its 50th anniversary coming next year, the Civic-minded cheers aren’t likely to slow down anytime soon.