The 2022 Honda Civic goes premium with an amazing starting price of $47,000 confirmed along with new specs for the Mazda 3, Volkswagen Golf and rival Skoda Scala.
The 11th generation Civic will launch with one variant, though two more will be added next year.
Honda Australia has confirmed that the Civic's small hatchback is moving into a higher market with its 11th generation, announcing a starting price of around $50,000 for the upgraded stalwart segment of the segment.
While the 10th generation Civic hatchback (excluding the Type R) most recently cost between $31,000 and $39,600 for the entry-level VTi-S and the flagship RS respectively, the new model will launch on December 6 with one valuation dubbed the VTi - LX, from USD 47,200 XNUMX (Day/Year).
The VTi-LX is powered by an updated 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine that now delivers 131kW (+4kW) at 6000rpm and 240Nm (+20Nm) of torque from 1700-4500rpm. the front-wheel drive continuously variable transmission (CVT) was similarly upgraded.
However, the second powertrain option will appear in the second half of 2022 as a "self-loading" hybrid called e:HEV. It will combine a gasoline engine with an electric motor to reduce combined cycle fuel consumption (ADR) from 6.3 l/100 km.
A new generation Civic Type R hot hatch will also be released next year. While it has yet to be revealed, the high-performance flagship is currently on track to hit Australian showrooms by the end of 2022.
Pricing for the e:HEV and Type R has yet to be announced, but Honda Australia director Stephen Collins told media last week that the Japanese-built Civic is now aimed at the premium segment of the small car segment, namely European models.
"We're really positioning the Civic in Australia," he said. “He played many roles in our journey. In a number of cases it was our voluminous, main car. Other times it was more niche and premium. So (VTi-LX) will be a step forward.”
Thus, Mr. Collins added: “For us, this will not be a mass vehicle. We expect to make around 12 units over the next 900 months - that's a little unclear given the supply issues in the second half of next year.
“So given that it will be more premium and have a higher position in the hatch market, it will have a lower volume for us, but will still be a mission-critical model.”
Despite its premium positioning, the VTi-LX is not available with a sunroof, digital instrument cluster (10.2-inch unit offered overseas), heated steering wheel, cooled front seats, rear USB ports (available internationally), or surround sound. . view camera, although Mr. Collins said its price "really reflects the level of equipment and premium car."
Compared to the previous generation, the VTi-LX added a Sport driving mode (along with Normal and Econ), two-tone 18-inch alloy wheels, and heated auto-folding side mirrors.
Inside, a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay support, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, a wireless smartphone charger, a XNUMX-way power passenger seat, faux leather/suede trim. there is now upholstery and red ambient lighting.
What's more, advanced driver assistance systems now extend to traffic jam assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, driver attention monitoring, and rear occupant alert, while dual knee airbags (eight in total) have also joined the safety package.
Other standard equipment includes dusk-sensing LED lights, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry, rear privacy glass, push-button start, satellite navigation, wired Android Auto support, digital radio, 7.0-inch multi-function display, dual-zone climate control. , an eight-way power adjustable driver's seat, alloy pedals and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
In addition, there's autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane keeping and steering assist, adaptive cruise control, high beam assist, and a rearview camera.
Mazda3, Volkswagen Golf and Skoda Scala customers are offered four body color options: platinum white, crystal black, crystal red and crystal blue.
Like all other Honda Australia models, the Civic comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty while its service intervals are every 12 months or 10,000 km (whichever comes first), with the first five visits costing 125 dollars each. - service cost.
With a length of 4560 mm (with a wheelbase of 2735 mm), a width of 1802 mm and a height of 1415 mm, the Civic trunk has a capacity of 449 liters (VDA) due to the lack of a spare wheel (a tire repair kit is hidden in the side panel of the cargo area). .
