2022 Honda Civic vs 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback

The 2022 Honda Civic sedan was offered in familiar trim levels: LX, Sport, EX, and Touring. Prices started at $21,700 for the Civic LX and went up to $28,300 for the Civic Touring, excluding a destination charge of $995. Later in the year, a new five-door Honda Civic hatchback also returned to the lineup. The two-door coupe, however, became a fading memory.

The primary evaluation vehicle was a Civic Touring in extra-cost Morning Mist Blue, a new paint color that added $395 to the sticker price, bringing the total to $29,690, including destination charges. Another model reviewed briefly was a Civic Sport decked out in Platinum White Pearl paint and the new Honda Performance Development (HPD) appearance package, with an estimated price just under $25,880.

Visually, the redesigned 2022 Civic model was more conservative and plain compared to its predecessor. It resembled the larger, longer-wheelbase Accord sedan, boasting a more tailored and mature look, appealing to those who were not fans of the previous Civic's bold styling. Conversely, fans of the previous design might have found this new model somewhat dull.

Inside, Honda opted for a minimalistic approach to the controls and layout, reminiscent of Civics past. The dashboard was dominated by intriguing metal honeycomb mesh that elegantly hid the air vents. Interior materials were improved, especially in the Touring trim, which reflected a maturity previously lacking in the Civic.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback was designed to capture a significant portion of the hatchback market share. Notably, it was produced in an Indiana factory, making it one of the few compact cars still manufactured in the U.S. The new 2022 Civic Hatchback was poised to lay the groundwork for the revived 2023 Acura Integra, potentially sparking renewed interest in hatchbacks thanks to their practicality and enjoyable driving experience.

The hatchback was offered in LX, Sport, EX-L, and Sport Touring trims, with prices ranging from $22,900 to $29,400 (plus a $1,015 destination charge). Two Sport Touring test cars were evaluated, one with a CVT and a Rallye Red color priced at $30,415, and another with a six-speed manual transmission and Sonic Gray Pearl paint priced at $30,810. Both grayed models' unique grille pattern and wheel designs distinguished them, but overall, the vehicle from the front doors forward looked like the sedan.

The interior echoed the sedan's design, with the Sport Touring trim enhancing digital instrumentation and infotainment displays for a more modern feel. The metal honeycomb detailing hiding the air vents and high-quality controls added sophistication, barring the slightly janky operation of the CVT shifter.

For the 2022 Civic sedan, Honda offered two engines, both slightly improved from the previous generation. LX and Sport trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. This engine sufficed for basic needs until one experienced the superior turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine found in EX and Touring trims.

The turbocharged engine, more powerful than before, delivered 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, spanning a rev range from 1,700 rpm to 4,500 rpm. This resulted in a satisfying drive, providing an optimal mix of performance and efficiency. Both engines were paired with a CVT, with different variants for each engine. Honda implemented Step Shift programming, mimicking the sound and feel of a traditional automatic, making the CVTs mostly unobtrusive.

Sport and Touring trims offered a Sport transmission mode, enhancing the car’s responsiveness. Enhanced structural rigidity, revised suspension tuning, and improved steering feel made the 2022 Civic enjoyable to drive, particularly in the quicker Touring model. The improved handling didn't compromise ride quality, and efforts to dampen noise, vibration, and harshness resulted in a quieter ride. During a 95-mile test, the Civic Touring returned 30.4 mpg, slightly less than the EPA's estimated 34 mpg, likely due to enthusiastic driving.

In comparison, the 2022 Civic Hatchback aimed to match the sedan in sales volume, with most buyers likely opting for the LX or Sport trims. These trims shared the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. The LX came only with a CVT, while the Sport offered a choice between a CVT and a six-speed manual transmission. Like the sedan, the Hatchback offered a more powerful turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine in EX-L and Sport Touring trims, generating 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque.

The EX-L featured only the CVT, while the Sport Touring offered both transmission types. Paddle shifters on the Sport and Sport Touring models proved useful, thanks to programmed ratios that made the CVT behave more like a traditional dual-clutch or automatic transmission, albeit with somewhat slushy "shifts.”

Driving enthusiasts would likely appreciate the six-speed manual available in the Sport Touring trim for its short throws, fluid gear engagement, and excellent clutch modulation. The Hatchback, with its turbo engine, accelerated briskly and effortlessly, providing an enjoyable drive. Suspension tuning balanced firm feel with a soft enough ride to absorb poorly maintained pavement. The steering felt good, and the brakes performed well except under repeated hard use, where they showed signs of fading.

In terms of fuel economy, the Hatchback performed well during real-world testing, nearly matching the EPA estimates. The Sport Touring with CVT was rated for 33 mpg combined, achieving 32.1 mpg, while the manual transmission version rated at 31 mpg combined, averaged 30.2 mpg through enthusiastic driving.

The 2022 Civic sedan prioritized comfort with redesigned front seats claiming improved support. The leather-lined Touring trim offered a power driver’s seat adjustable to achieve a perfect driving position, though heated, they weren't ventilated. The front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster, but excellent thigh support made up for it.

The Civic sedan sat low, which could complicate entry and exit for some, but offered more backseat legroom than most in the segment, easing access. Rear passengers benefitted from excellent thigh support, though some might find the backrest angle too reclined. The sedan lacked rear air conditioning vents, a significant oversight, although it provided two rear USB ports for charging.

The redesigned interior included a new center console with less storage space flexibility than before, losing the deep storage bin but gaining more accessible cupholders and fingerprint-resistant trim. Trunk volume in the Civic sedan remained spacious at 14.8 cubic feet or 14.4 cubes with the Touring trim, fitting full-size suitcases on their sides, and featuring a split-folding backseat for additional utility.

On the other hand, the 2022 Civic Hatchback excelled in functionality. Its trunk offered a generous 24.5 cubic feet, with an innovative two-piece cargo shade that didn't need removal to maximize cargo space. The back seat featured a 60/40-split folding design, though Honda didn’t provide an official maximum cargo volume measurement. Despite maximizing space behind the rear seats, the load floor wasn’t flat.

All seating positions in the Civic Hatchback were comfortable with sufficient legroom. However, complaints arose from the Sport Touring’s front passenger seat lacking a seat-height adjuster, and the absence of rear air conditioning vents was noted unfavorably. Yet, rear passengers appreciated the smartphone charging ports.

The driver’s seat in the Civic Hatchback stood out with eight-way power adjustment, and both front seats in the Sport Touring trim were heated. Black fabric seats adorned the LX and Sport trims, while EX-L and Sport Touring featured black leather upholstery. Automatic climate control was standard across trims, with dual-zone in EX-L and Sport Touring versions.

The 2022 Honda Civic boasted impressive digital instrumentation and infotainment technology. While all Civics featured digital displays, the Touring trim offered an upgraded ten-inch display with enhanced customization and a Vehicle Activity display that showed the status of the car's lights, turn signals, and hazard lights.

The standard infotainment setup included a seven-inch touchscreen with physical volume and tuning knobs, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The screen was recessed into the dashboard to stabilize the hand while using the system. LX trim received four stereo speakers, while Sport and EX doubled that count but still didn't impress. The Touring trim shined with a 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint 2 premium audio system, delivering richer sound due to Bose’s early involvement in the car’s development.

Touring trim also brought a larger, nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, HD radio, satellite radio, and navigation. Despite a relatively slow startup, the system performed excellently, especially voice recognition technology, representing a significant improvement over the previous-generation Civic’s infotainment.

The 2022 Civic Hatchback mirrored this technological advancement. Lower trims, including LX, Sport, and EX-L, received a seven-inch touchscreen display with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the Sport Touring trim added a nine-inch touchscreen with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, navigation, and a 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint 2 surround-sound system.

Like the sedan, the hatchback included physical knobs for sound system controls, addressing a prior criticism of Honda’s infotainment interfaces. A small shelf at the bottom of the screen offered a hand steadying point during use. The voice recognition system worked efficiently across all trims, though the Civic Sport hatchback’s speakers were deemed mediocre, suggesting an audio upgrade was in order.

Digital instrumentation was standard in all Civic Hatchbacks. While base trims had a seven-inch screen and analog speedometer, the Sport Touring included a comprehensive 10.2-inch display. This display provided visual cues for the headlight and signal status and the operation of the Civic’s driving assistance systems.

Safety features took a front seat in the 2022 Honda Civic. The Honda Sensing suite included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. New additions like Traffic Jam Assist improved the car’s lane-centering and adaptive cruise control functionality.

Notably, for 2022, Honda replaced the problematic LaneWatch system with a proper blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert on the EX trim and above. This sonar-based warning system was a game-changer for improving safety. However, LX and Sport trims missed out on this feature, making the EX a more suitable option for younger, less experienced drivers who might benefit from it.

Inside, the Civic featured enhanced structural integrity for better collision protection and newly designed airbags for improved head protection. A standard rear-seat reminder system and rear side-impact airbags were also included, showcasing Honda’s commitment to safety.

The 2022 Civic Hatchback echoed the sedan with its Honda Sensing suite but improved the system's accuracy and refinement. Adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking were standard, along with Road Departure Mitigation and Lane Keeping Assist. New features like low-speed following and Traffic Jam Assist further reduced driver stress during commutes, although these functions were exclusive to CVT-equipped models.

Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on EX-L and Sport Touring trims but were sorely missed on lower trims. Sport Touring CVT models also gained Low-Speed Braking Control. All Hatchbacks included a standard rear-seat reminder system, rear seatbelt reminder, and automatic high-beam headlights. Innovative frontal-impact airbags and improved engineering added to the car's safety credentials, earning the Civic Hatchback a “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS.