The 2022 Honda Civic is all-new, which might be hard to believe given its styling. Unlike the previous-generation Civic, which was designed to stand out and featured edgy and aggressive look, the ‘22 model is designed to blend in and takes its styling cues from the Accord. Although the Civic’s styling has been toned down, the overall package is no less compelling.
Honda’s most iconic model packs an all-new interior, updated tech and is available in two body styles, sedan and hatchback, and as a sport sedan. Like previous Civics, it does great at the pump and has a starting price that is both affordable and competitive. The 2022 Honda Civic offers something for everyone. Here’s a look at its specifics.
Trims
The 2022 Honda Civic comes in two body styles, a four-door sedan and hatchback, and each one is available in four different trims. The sedan is offered in the following trim levels, ordered from base to top-tier:
- LX
- Sport
- EX
- Touring
The hatchback is offered in the following trim levels:
- LX
- Sport
- EX-L
- Sport Touring
In addition the performance-oriented Civic Si comes in two different trims, Si and Si HPT.
Regardless of the body style, the LX trim comes equipped with a 158-horsepower four-cylinder engine mated to a CVT. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. a seven-inch infotainment screen and automatic climate control are all standard. Honda Sensing, the automaker’s suite of safety and driver’s assistance technology, is also standard. The LX is a solid choice for those who value fuel efficiency and safety over luxury interior and tech features.
Source: HondaSport
The Sport model adds 18-inch gloss black alloy wheels and paddle shifters, along with a leather-wrapped steering wheel. On the hatchback trim, the Sport can also be had with a six-speed manual transmission at no extra cost.
The Sport trim also upgrades the sound system, bumping the speaker count from four to eight, and adds full LED headlights. Despite its name, the Sport is actually a smart option for those who want a bit more luxury without springing for the costlier EX/EX-L or Touring/Sport Touring trims.
Source: HondaEX and EX-L
Although the names differ slightly, the EX and EX-L trims are basically the same. Both come standard with the beefier 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 180 horsepower. The EX/EX-L trim also adds luxury features like heated front seats and a one-touch power moonroof. Blind-spot monitoring is also standard. The EX/EX-L trim is the sweet spot in terms of features, performance and price.
Source: HondaTouring
The Touring/Sport Touring trims sit at the top of the Civic totem pole and include some serious luxury and tech features. These include leather-trimmed front seats, a 12-speaker Bose sound system and a wireless charging pad. On the hatchback, the Sport Touring can be optioned with a six-speed manual transmission. The Touring/Sport Touring is certainly loaded, but at nearly $30,000 it’s a bit pricey.
As for the Civic Si, the only difference between the Si and Si HPT trims are the latter’s high-performance tires. Both have a more exciting exterior and cabin, although the design of both still skews more mature.
Source: HondaEngine, Transmission, and Performance
The 2022 Civic is available with three different engines. The first is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 158 horsepower and 138-lb ft of torque. This engine is mated to a CVT in the sedan but can be paired with a six-speed manual on the hatchback. The turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder is rated at 180-horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. This engine can be had with a manual, too, albeit only in the hatchback and only on the top-tier Sport Touring trim.
Finally, the Civic Si is available with a tuned version of the 1.5-liter turbo and produces 200 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. This is actually five horsepower less than the previous Si and only three more lb-ft of torque. However, Honda says that peak torque is available earlier in the rev range. The Si is only available with a six-speed manual, which Honda says offers 10% shorter throws than the outgoing model.
The Civic won’t win any drag races. Reviewers at CarBuzz said there’s a notable improvement in ride quality and handling over the previous model, though. The manual hatchback model has been given effusive praise. MotorTrend said it has helped Honda rediscover the Civic’s “mojo.” As for the Si, it’s more designed for handling than raw power, says Car and Driver.
Source: HondaFuel Economy
The 2022 Honda Civic does pretty well at the pump regardless of the chosen engine or body style. The best fuel economy in the sedan is found on the EX trim. It returns 33/42/36 mpg (city, highway, combined) from the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine and CVT. The EX-L trim also returns the best fuel economy on the hatchback. At 31/39/35 mpg it is slightly less fuel efficient than the sedan. Despite being tuned for performance, the Si returns a respectable 27/37/31 mpg.
The Civic averages around 31 mpg in the city, almost 40 mpg on the highway and near 34 mpg combined. Note that opting for the manual transmission will reduce your fuel economy, although only by a mile or two. Another thing to note is that some trims feature an “Eco” driving mode. This enables drivers to squeeze the max mileage out of their Civic.
Source: HondaEntertainment and Interior Features
Honda gave the ‘22 Civic a modern and minimalist interior, highlighted by a slick dashboard and center stack. There aren’t a ton of buttons cluttering up the design, although the designers wisely added buttons to the infotainment touchscreen. Along with looking cool, the honeycomb mesh grille across the dash is functional and hides the Civic’s vents.
The 2022 Civic comes standard with a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen. A 9-inch touchscreen is available on higher trim levels. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also standard, and wireless Apple CarPlay is available on higher trim levels. The basic sound system is a bit disappointing, with just four speakers. An eight-speaker sound system and a Bose 12-speaker sound system are available on higher trim levels. The top-tier Touring trims offer a fully digital 10.2-inch gauge cluster.
Reviewers note that the redesigned front seats are comfortable on long drives and that both rows are spacious. There is good legroom for adults in the rear seats, which can squeeze in three average-sized adults in a pinch.
Source: HondaWarranty and Maintenance Coverage
The 2022 Honda Civic’s warranty isn’t anywhere near the top of its class. Hyundai and Kia both offer better coverage, as does Volkswagen and even Mitsubishi. However, the Civic’s warranty does offer comprehensive coverage. Here are its highlights.
- A three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty.
- A powertrain warranty good for five years/60,000 miles.
- A wheel balancing and alignment warranty for one year/12,000 miles.
- Coverage for the air conditioner refrigerant for two years/24,000 miles.
- Emission performance coverage for the state of California for seven years/70,000 miles.
- Federal emissions performance coverage for three years/36,000 miles.
- Coverage for body panels that rust from the inside out for five years.
- Seat belt replacement coverage for 15 years/150,000 miles.
Source: HondaCargo
The Honda Civic sedan offers 14.8 cubic feet of cargo space, which is competitive in its class but not class leading. Max cargo area can be increased by folding the rear seats forward. Note: The Civic comes standard with a one-piece folding second row, but 60/40 folding seats are available on some trims and standard on the hatchback. Speaking of the hatchback, it offers 24.5 cubic feet of standard cargo space.
Reviewers at U.S. News praised the Civic’s cargo capacity. Consumer Reports said “it could swallow a week’s worth of luggage.” Finally, Cars.com praised the trunk space to the point where the outlet wondered if the hatchback model is necessary.
Source: HondaSafety Features
The 2022 Civic is an IIHS “Top Safety Pick+” and received “good” and “superior” ratings in every testing category. The NHTSA gave the Civic a five-star safety rating in all categories: frontal crash, side crash and rollover. In addition to being safe in a crash, the Civic comes packed with tech to help drivers avoid accidents. What’s awesome is that much of this tech is available standard in a package the automaker calls “Honda Sensing.”
It includes the following features:
- Collision mitigation braking system
- Road departure mitigation braking system
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane-keep assist
- Forward collision warning
- Lane departure warning
- Traffic jam assist
- Traffic sign recognition
Optional tech is limited to blind-spot assist with cross-traffic monitoring and front and rear parking sensors.
Source: HondaHow the Competition Stacks Up
For years, the Honda Civic’s biggest competitor was the Toyota Corolla. The Corolla is still the Civic’s biggest threat, but it’s far from the only one. Consumers have several options when it comes to cross shopping the Civic, with the likes of Hyundai, Kia and Mazda all offering compelling and affordable compact sedans with slick designs, surprisingly upscale interiors and potent engines.
Toyota Corolla
The 2022 Toyota Corolla has a sporty design, comes in many trims and is available as a hybrid and hatchback. It also comes loaded with safety technology courtesy of Toyota Safety Sense. This is the automaker’s suite of driver’s assistance aids and safety tech, which is standard on all trim levels. The Corolla and Civic are evenly matched in many areas. However, Honda’s engines are more powerful: The Corolla’s most-powerful engine only makes 169 horsepower. Toyota also doesn’t offer anything like the performance-oriented Civic Si.
Source: ToyotaHyundai Elantra
Unlike the Civic, the 2022 Hyundai Elantra is designed to stand out, not blend in, with its sharp lines and bold grille. The cabin also features a futuristic design and is packed with technology, including an optional 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. The Elantra starts at under $20,000 and can also be had as a hybrid or in one of two sport trims, the most-powerful of which produces an impressive 276 horsepower.
Mazda3
In addition to its classy exterior and upmarket interior, the 2022 Mazda3 offers a 250-horsepower engine and all-wheel drive. Unlike the Civic, Mazda only offers a manual on a single trim level and only on the hatchback. That said, the Mazda3 is consistently touted as one of the best-handling compact sedans, so enthusiasts still have something to get excited about. While the Mazda3 starts at $20,800 it gets expensive quickly, with two trims coming in at over $30,000.
Source: MazdaPros
In a world where new car prices rise seemingly every year without explanation, the 2022 Civic continues to present an incredible value. Across the board, the Civic is great on gas, offers an engaging driving experience, has a well-designed and spacious cabin, and is packed with safety tech.
Those who want a bit more luxury and tech will find it on the Civic’s higher trim levels. Drivers who crave more space will find it in the Civic hatchback. Any Fast and the Furious fans can live out their Vin Diesel fantasies in the Si model. The Civic truly offers something for just about every driver, all while remaining affordable.
Cons
Honda decided to play it safe when designing the 2022 Civic. The result is a boring and bland sedan that only excites in a rental car parking lot. Also, while the Civic is affordable, it is priced a bit higher than some of its competitors. Finally, the lack of a hybrid trim is a bit glaring in 2022. The Civic’s arch rival, the Corolla, can be had in a hybrid that gets north of 50 mpg.
Source: HondaPrice
The 2022 Honda Civic has a slightly complicated pricing scheme. This is because it’s available in two different body styles and three different models. Since the 2022 Civic is all-new, it’s priced just a bit higher than the 2021 model, which started at $21,250.
Sedan:
LX: $21,9000
Sport: $23,300
EX: $24,900
Touring: $28,500
Hatchback:
LX: $22,900
Sport: $24,100
EX-L: $26,600
Sport Touring: $29,400
(Note: A six-speed manual is available on the Sport and Sport Touring trims at no extra cost.)
Si:
Base Si: $27,300
Si HPT: $27,500
(Note: The only difference between the Si and Si HPT are the high-performance tires that come standard on the latter trim.)
Source: HondaGet Into a 2022 Honda Civic
The 2022 Honda Civic offers more of the same, and that’s not a bad thing. “More of the same” here means a car that’s fun to drive, safe and affordable. The Civic really can be whatever you want it to be. Do you need space for people and cargo? Maybe you want a gas-sipping commuter car that can chew up highway miles with ease. How about a sport sedan that is both exciting and extremely practical? The Civic is all of these and more.
If you’re shopping for a new car and are in the market for a sedan under $30,000, the 2022 Honda Civic definitely has to be on your list.
Source: Honda
