Honda Civic 2022 Review

Think "small car" and some iconic nameplates like the Toyota Corolla, Holden Astra and Subaru Impreza will probably come to mind. It's also highly likely, of course, that the first name that came to mind was the venerable and oft-revered Honda Civic, which has just entered its 11th generation.

However, the Civic is a little different this time around: Honda Australia now only offers its five-door hatchback bodystyle, following the recent downsizing of the slow-selling four-door sedan.

Even more important news is that Honda Australia has released the Civic in a single, well-defined class. So, does it live up to its amazing and even slightly unsettling $47,000 starting price? Read on to find out.

Honda Civic 2022: VTi-LX
Safety Rating
engine's type	1.5 L turbo
fuel type	Regular unleaded gasoline
Fuel efficiency	6.3l / 100km
Landing	5 Places
Price from	$47,200

Is there anything interesting about its design? 9/10

It goes without saying that the previous generation Civic divided opinion with its appearance. For what it's worth, I seemed to be in the minority who liked its "racer boy" look.

However, it's not surprising that Honda has taken its successor in a different direction, and I think it's better for it overall.

Overall, the Civic is now a much more mature and modern small hatchback when it comes to design, but the Type R still has the bones to take it to a very sporty level.

The front end looks stylish thanks to bright LED headlights.

The front end looks stylish thanks to the bright LED headlights, but it's also annoying due to the black honeycomb inserts used in the relatively small grille and massive front air intake.

From the side, the Civic's long, flat bonnet comes to the fore along with the coupe-like sloping roofline that fans of the discontinued sedan love so much that the hatchback now arguably offers the best of both worlds. You can even call it a liftback ...

From the side, the Civic's long, flat bonnet comes to the fore, along with a sloping coupe-like roofline.

Aside from a couple of prominent body lines and flared side skirts, the side view is the most unremarkable view of the Civic - except for the 18-inch VTi-LX alloy wheels. Their double Y-spoke design looks sensational and is made even better with a two-tone finish.

At the rear, the Civic's predecessor was the most divisive for several reasons, but the new model is fairly conservative, with a spoiler integrated more neatly into the tailgate, exposing a solid rear glass panel.

The spoiler is neatly integrated into the tailgate, exposing a solid rear glass panel.

Meanwhile, the LED taillights are now bisected by the tailgate, while the bumper is mostly body-coloured, with a black diffuser small enough not to create a scene, and a pair of wide exhaust pipe extensions also add to the sportiness.

The Civic has also received an overhaul inside, and Honda has gone to great lengths to make it feel as premium as the VTi-LX's price suggests.

Faux leather and suede seat upholstery look quite appropriate.

The faux leather and suede seat upholstery look appropriate, especially with the red accents and stitching that is also used on the steering wheel, gear selector and armrests. In addition, there is a soft-touch top of the dashboard and front door shoulders.

Thankfully, the gloss black finish is only used at unusual touchpoints with other textured material for the center console and door switch surrounds. And no, it does not leave fingerprints and it does not scratch.

The 9.0-inch touchscreen features an easy-to-use multimedia system that packs all the features you'll ever need.

Gone is the integrated 7.0-inch center touchscreen, replaced by a floating 9.0-inch unit with a new easy-to-use infotainment system that neatly provides all the features you'll ever need, but you thankfully get full physical climate control. below.

In fact, all buttons, knobs and switches are comfortable to use, including the front air vents' direction controls, which are hidden by a wide honeycomb insert that is only interrupted by the steering wheel.

Speaking of the VTi-LX's steering wheel, there's a 7.0-inch multifunction display in front of it, which sits to the left of the traditional speedometer. This setup certainly does the job, but you were hoping to see a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster for the money.

How practical is the interior space? 9/10

At 4560mm long (with a 2735mm wheelbase), 1802mm wide and 1415mm high, the Civic is definitely bigger for a small hatchback, making it very practical for its segment.

First, the Civic's trunk volume is 449L (VDA) due to the lack of a spare tire (the tire repair kit is hidden in the side panel of the cargo area), giving an additional 10% of underfloor storage space. .

If you need even more room, the 60/40-folding rear seat can be folded down using the manually-accessible latches in the trunk to unlock the Civic's full potential, though this further highlights the uneven floor.

The tall loading lip makes loading bulkier items a little more difficult, but the trunk opening is very handy, along with the four attachment points available, as well as one bag hook for attaching loose items.

The cargo curtain is divided into two parts, with the furthest section being a retractable variety, making it very easy to use. And if necessary, its fastening can also be removed.

The second row is also great, with an inch of legroom behind my 184cm driving position. An inch of headroom is also available, but only a little legroom is provided.

There's a taller center tunnel here, so three adults struggle for precious legroom - not to mention shoulder room - when they're seated in a row, but that's not unusual in this segment.

For younger children, there are also three top straps and two ISOFIX anchorage points for installing child seats.

In terms of amenities, there's a passenger-side map pocket and a fold-down armrest with two cup holders, but no ski port, and the drawers on the rear doors can hold one extra regular bottle.

Clothes hooks are next to the grab bars and directional vents are located at the rear of the center console, with a blank panel underneath where other markets have two USB-A ports - a disappointing omission for Australian customers.

Moving to the front row, the inclusion is better: a center console with two cup holders, a handy wireless smartphone charger, two USB-A ports and a 12V outlet. The trash cans in front of the front door also hold one regular bottle.

• The front row has two cupholders, a handy wireless smartphone charger, two USB-A ports and a 12V outlet.
• The front row has two cupholders, a handy wireless smartphone charger, two USB-A ports and a 12V outlet.
• The front row has two cupholders, a handy wireless smartphone charger, two USB-A ports and a 12V outlet.
• The front row has two cupholders, a handy wireless smartphone charger, two USB-A ports and a 12V outlet.
• The front row has two cupholders, a handy wireless smartphone charger, two USB-A ports and a 12V outlet.
• The front row has two cupholders, a handy wireless smartphone charger, two USB-A ports and a 12V outlet.
• The front row has two cupholders, a handy wireless smartphone charger, two USB-A ports and a 12V outlet.

In terms of storage, the center compartment is not only large, but also comes with a removable tray that is great for coins and the like. The glove box is medium in size, it has enough space for the owner's manual and nothing more.

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10

Gone are the days when there were multiple classes in the Civic lineup, as the 11th Gen model only has one: the VTi-LX.

Of course, with the exception of the Type R, this designation was previously used by the flagship variants of the Civic, which makes sense given how much the new version costs.

Yes, that means no more traditional entry or mid-level Civic classes, and the VTi-LX is priced at $47,200.

The VTi-LX comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels.

Thus, the company is constantly working with full-fledged premium hatchbacks in the small car segment, including Mazda3, Volkswagen Golf and Skoda Scala.

Standard equipment on the VTi-LX is rich: 18-inch alloy wheels, heated auto-folding side mirrors, a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with over-the-air updates, and wireless Apple CarPlay support. predecessor.

Inside is a 12-speaker Bose audio system, wireless smartphone charger, XNUMX-way adjustable passenger seat, faux leather and suede upholstery, and red ambient lighting.

Also included are dusk-sensing LED lights, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry, rear privacy glass, push button start, satellite navigation, wired Android Auto support, and digital radio.

New features include interior red ambient lighting.

There's also a 7.0-inch multi-function display, dual-zone climate control, an eight-way adjustable power driver's seat, alloy pedals and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Despite its premium positioning, the VTi-LX is not available with a sunroof, digital instrument cluster (a 10.2-inch unit is offered overseas), a head-up display, a heated steering wheel, or cooled front seats.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10

At launch, the VTi-LX is powered by the familiar but redesigned 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine. It now produces 131 kW of power (+4 kW) at 6000 rpm and 240 Nm of torque (+20 Nm) in the 1700-4500 rpm range.

At launch, the VTi-LX is powered by the familiar but redesigned 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine.

The VTi-LX is mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), but it has also been upgraded for better performance. As in the past, outputs are routed to the front wheels.

If you're looking for something greener, a "self-charging" hybrid powertrain dubbed e:HEV will be added to the Civic lineup in the second half of 2022. It will combine a gasoline engine with an electric one. engine, so stay tuned for our upcoming review.

But if you want more performance, then wait for the yet to be unveiled next-generation Type R hot hatch, due in late 2022. If it's anything like its predecessor, it's worth the wait.

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How much fuel does it consume? 7/10

The VTi-LX's combined cycle (ADR) fuel consumption is a reassuring 6.3L/100km, but in real conditions I averaged 8.2L/100km, which, although 28% higher than advertised, is optimal. a solid payoff given enthusiastic driving.

Obviously, the aforementioned e:HEV will be more effective both in controlled conditions and in the real world, so stay tuned for our upcoming Civic variant two trials.

For reference, the VTi-LX's 47-litre fuel tank is rated at least for affordable 91 octane gasoline and provides a claimed range of 746 km, or 573 km in my experience.

What is it like to drive? 9/10

Behind the wheel of the VTi-LX, the first thing you notice—or rather, don't notice—is the CVT. Yes, CVTs generally have a very bad reputation, but not this one - this is an exception to the rule.

In the city, the VTi-LX quietly goes about its business, mimicking a traditional torque converter automatic transmission as closely as possible, and shifts between simulated gear ratios (paddles allow the driver to steer at will) in a surprisingly natural way.

However, the VTi-LX CVT behaves just like any other at full throttle, presumably holding higher engine revs as it gradually picks up speed, but this is by no means a violation. terms of the deal.

And if you want to unleash the full potential of the 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol turbo, turn on the new Sport Driving Mode for not only sharper throttle, but also higher CVT shift points.

The latter ensures that the VTi-LX is always in its thick torque band, giving you plenty of towing power when you need it. But even in normal driving mode, acceleration for this segment is pretty solid, as is braking performance.

But the real draw of the VTi-LX for parties is its prowess in handling. Make no mistake, this is a small car that loves to seek a turn or two, with a sharp corner and surprisingly good body control.

Push a little too hard and understeer can kick in, but driving in the conditions and the VTi-LX is a joy around corners. In fact, it inspires confidence. And to think, it's not even a Type R!

Key to this success is the steering - it's nice and direct without being jerky, and well-weighted at speed with good feel, although some drivers may prefer a lighter tune when driving slowly or parking. As far as I understand, this is fantastic.

If the VTi-LX has one area where it can be improved, it's in ride quality. Don't get me wrong, the suspension is comfortable, but it's just good, not great.

Naturally, groomed roads are smooth as butter, but uneven surfaces can expose the busier side of the VTi-LX. And for that reason, I'd really like to see how the Civic performs with higher profile tires (235/40 R18 tires fitted).

Even without the thicker rubber, the suspension tunes up at higher speeds for a smoother ride. Again, the quality is far from terrible, but it just isn't class-leading like many other parts of the VTi-LX package, which is likely due to its sportier skew.

You can quickly forget about the outside world when the 12-speaker Bose sound system is on.

However, another positive is the noise level of the VTi-LX, or lack of it. You can tell Honda has gone to great lengths to make the cabin quieter, and the hard work has paid off.

Yes, engine noise, tire noise and general road noise are still audible, but the volume is turned down, especially in the urban jungle where you can quickly forget about the outside world when the 12-speaker Bose audio system is on.

Another thing that Honda has taken to the next level is visibility, as the windshield is noticeably larger, giving the driver an almost panoramic view of the road ahead. And even the sloping tailgate wasn't achieved at the expense of a decent rear window.

Even better, moving the side mirrors to the doors has opened up a line of sight that was previously unavailable, with the same truth about the new side windows making it a little easier to check your head over your shoulder.

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

5 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

ANCAP Safety Rating

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10

The Civic has also come a long way when it comes to safety, but that doesn't mean it has dropped the benchmark in its segment.

Advanced driver assistance systems that are new to the VTi-LX include a driver assistance system, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, driver attention monitoring, and rear occupant alert, while dual knee airbags have also joined in. to the package, taking on up to eight in total (including double front, side and curtain).

Autonomous emergency braking with crossroad support and pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane keeping and steering assist, adaptive cruise control, high beam assist and a rear view camera.

Unfortunately, parking sensors and surround view cameras are not available, and the same goes for the emergency steering function and front center airbag, which could prevent the Civic from earning the maximum five-star safety rating from ANCAP.

That's right, neither ANCAP nor its European equivalent, Euro NCAP, has yet crash-tested the new Civic, so we'll have to wait and see how it performs.

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 8/10

Like all other Honda Australia models, the Civic comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty, two years short of the "no strings attached" standard set by several other popular brands.

Like all other Honda Australia models, the Civic comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty.

The Civic also gets five years of roadside assistance, although VTi-LX service intervals are shorter when it comes to distance, every 12 months or 10,000 km, whichever comes first.

However, the first five services cost just $125 each with limited-price service available—that's an exceptional $625 for the first five years or 50,000 km.

Verdict

Compared to its predecessor, the 11th generation Civic is a huge improvement in almost every way. It's always beautiful, as practical as a small hatchback can be, cheap to run and great to drive.

But with a starting price of $47,000, the Civic is now out of reach for many buyers, some of whom were eager to give their hard-earned cash for the new model.

For that reason, I wish Honda Australia would introduce at least one lower-spec class that would make the Civic more affordable, even as it competes in a shrinking segment.

Note. CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, providing transportation and food.