2022 Honda Civic Review

The Honda Civic's 10th-generation model launched in 2016. It upended the conventions set by its rather unremarkable predecessor with distinctive exterior styling, high-class interior materials, and a renewed emphasis on driving excitement. It quickly launched to the top of our rankings of small sedans, where it has sat virtually unopposed for more than half a decade.

But this Civic is not without faults, and certain aspects — we're looking at you, frustrating infotainment system — have blemished the otherwise sterling experience. Our outlook is positive after our first glimpse at the fully redesigned 2022 Honda Civic sedan and hatchback. For one, its new touchscreen interface appears similar to the one in the Honda Passport and Accord, which we prefer to the current Civic's. And the specs suggest there's as much segment-topping legroom as the old model, with a little more headroom to boot.

And, yes, there's also the matter of the car's styling. Honda has taken a more conservative and anonymous approach this time around. What do you think? Our staff is split, either finding the new Civic's look refreshingly normal or a first-class ticket to Dullsville.

The entry-level LX and midtier Sport models will continue to use the familiar 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which makes the same 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque as in last year's Civic. The 2.0-liter now features an automatic engine stop-start feature, which is good for a 1-2 mpg bump in most categories compared to last year's car.

The EX and Touring utilize a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine with 180 hp and 177 lb-ft — an increase of 6 hp and 15 lb-ft over last year. The current Civic with this engine accelerates from zero to 60 mph in a quick 6.7 seconds and is more fuel-efficient than the base motor, making it the gem of the lineup. We recommend upgrading to the EX or Touring if your budget allows.

There's no word yet on a future Civic Si or Type R, but they both appeared the year after the current Civic debuted. We also don't have an indication whether the hatchback body style will return. Hopefully we won't have to wait too long before Honda releases five-door and high-output versions of the new Civic.

The Civic's cabin should be the roomiest in its class. Honda's published specifications suggest the new version will be more spacious than the previous model, which was already massive inside. Four adults should have no problem fitting comfortably, even on long road trips.

We argue that the new Civic's interior has lost some of the spark that made the last one so unexpectedly charming. Gone are the sliding armrest, fighter-jet instrument panel and clever storage area below the center stack. Instead, the cabin looks quite conventional, with a typical front center stack design, a touchscreen perched atop a low dashboard, and, on the pictured Touring trim, a fully digital instrument panel. The climate control cluster is more easily distinguishable at a glance, and the knurled knobs are an upscale touch.

The single daring element is the honeycomb-pattern trim piece that stretches from the center stack to the passenger door. As suggested by the joysticks that punctuate it, air vents are hidden behind the applique so as not to disturb the design. Like the knurled climate knobs, the lattice trim is an interesting visual designed to provoke a tactile response from the passenger.

Honda is often slower than other automakers to incorporate exotic features into its more budget-friendly cars. With that in mind, you won't find ventilated front seats or a surround-view camera on the options list. However, the new Civic does have a few new items. The top-trim Touring model receives the most notable upgrades, with a wireless charging pad, digital instrument panel and 12-speaker Bose audio system among its new add-ons. All Civics will now come with a 7-inch touchscreen and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (you previously had to upgrade to the Sport), while the Touring gets a 9-inch screen with additional wireless functionality for CarPlay and Android Auto.

On the safety front, the Civic will continue to count the Honda Sensing suite of active safety features as standard. It includes driving aids such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control. Honda has switched from a radar- and-camera-based detection system to a purely camera system, which Honda says provides a wider field of view. More advanced hardware is said to make the system quicker to identify and respond to pedestrians, bicyclists and other vehicles. The blind-spot monitor is now an active detection system, rather than the current-gen blind-spot camera. Unique to the Touring model are parking sensors that automatically engage the brakes if the Civic is about to bump into an object.