You’re seeing the next Type-R design as Honda unveils the new 2022 Civic Hatchback. It has the same design and technological ethos like the recently launched sedan, but has its own personality by being more sporty and sleek.
It shares the same wheelbase as the sedan but the new Civic Hatchback is 4.9-inches shorter thanks to the new design. It also has new taillights and the center stop lamp that runs the width of the rear door. Open it up and it has 1.6-inches more opening compared to the sedan, and has a low lift-over height.
The rear diffuser and dual exhaust vents also add more sportiness to the rear, though it’s still unknown if those are real exhaust tips.
Its front fascia is also new. While the sedan has body color panels that go halfway between the headlights, the Civic hatch has a concave grille from the edge of the hood panel and uses hexagonal openings instead of the horizontal slats found in the sedan.
Open the doors and you’ll see it shares most of its design with the Civic sedan that was launched earlier. New for the hatchback version though are the digital gauges. Lower variants get the 7-inch digital display with a speedometer dial on the right while the top of the line model has an all-digital 10.2-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard in either the 7 or 9-inch touchscreen, depending on trim level.
There’s also ‘Body Stabilizing Seats’ for enhanced comfort during long drives for this Civic. Legroom at the back was also increased, specifically 1.4-inches more. The rest is virtually identical to its sedan counterpart.
Engine options are the same as the sedan. That is the 2.0L naturally-aspirated engine with 158hp and 187Nm of torque, or the 1.5L turbo with 180hp and 240Nm of torque. Both are paired with a CVT but optional for the Sport and Sport Touring variants is the short-throw 6-speed manual. Honda claims it has better shift rigidity and shorter throws, and has less vibrations.
Beneath the panels is a new lightweight structure that reduced the hinge size for a sleeker roofline while increasing torsional rigidity by 19%. Honda Sensing package and a suite of 10-airbags comes standard for all variants.
With all Honda Civic Type-R’s so far always being based on the hatchback version of the car, it’s safe to say we’re already seeing most of its next-generation. The only thing we’d have to wait for now is how much sportier they’ll make that compared to the current Type-R.
The new Honda Civic Hatchback introduces new colors called Boost Blue Pearl and Smokey Mauve Pearl. It will be made in Honda’s US factory at Greensburg, Indiana.
