2022 Honda Civic Hatchback Review: Crossover Executioner

The new 2022 11th Generation Civic Hatchback with the 6 speed manual transmission is an excellent daily driver. Driver engagement, comfort, fun, and practicality all excelling. This should vehicle is arguably best-in-segment and a vehicle that should be considered among small crossover buyers.

Read more:
All-new Civic Hatchback is aimed at young, active buyers with sleek fastback design and sporty driving character
Short-throw 6-speed manual transmission available with either the 2.0-liter normally aspirated, or 1.5-liter turbo engine
New sporty and simple interior design includes increased versatility and the largest back seat ever in a Civic Hatchback
Civic Hatchback is built in the U.S. for the first time and continues to offer exceptional value

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Kirk's Social Media:

[thynysan]

We bought the new Civic hatchback with 1.5t last week and we absolutely love the way this thing drives.

[Notadrianmonroy]

I get that 1.5L turbo is more fuel efficient but man, it would’ve been awesome had they still kept the 2.4L k series naturally aspirated engine. My last hope is the Integra will get it as I prefer the simplicity of a naturally aspirated engine.

[kenhoward]

This is the first Honda in a long, long time that I've actually been interested in buying. What a thoroughly-great effort by the company I held in such high regard from the 1970s through the '90s. 'Seems like HMC is back. 'Good for you to mention pausing for the revs to drop before upshifting at high rpm, while every other reviewer just slams the shifter immediately into the next higher gear, at high revs, with no concern for damaging the transmission's synchros. If you can't upshift gently/smoothly (and rev-match downshifts), you're probably better-off with the CVT.

[grimacemcccheese]

Great review Kirk! I'm glad to see that Honda has made improvements to the hatch without any major downgrades from the previous version. That trunk shade is super convenient. I use that weekly so I can fit taller groceries or access things at the back of the trunk more easily, sometimes I leave it open, other times I leave it closed. While other hatchbacks may have 20-25 cubic feet of hatch space, I think the Civic does the best job of giving customers access to all that space without forcing them to leave the privacy cover at home.

[csincos]

Any make and model, nothing's like the enthusiasm/joy and control of driving a manual transmission. And it shows in the video. Yet another good one, Kirk. 👍

[carlomarcos]

Saw this today in grey colour. In real life it’s looks really beautiful.

[saramaki]

I learned to drive on a 1st gen honda civic. It's amazing how far these cars have come, in...uh...40+ years!

[RyuMoto]

The integrated washer nozzles on the wipers are absolutely terrible on our Clarity. It's one of the biggest complaints of the owners group. Looks like they improved it in the 11th Gen!

[ianmcculloch]

Finally a good looking vehicle, nicer quality inside, older models were so cheap.

[manik-r-p]

damn this thing is amazing!
the way it looks, it feels and it actually is quite fun to drive with that manual transmission. lovely!
can’t wait for the TYPE R

[Unchainedmaple]

I just wish that Honda used that cool carbon fiber looking material around the shifter on all the gloss black parts of the interior. There's so much freaking gloss black. Around the vents, on the freaking steering wheel. Just waiting for all those fingerprints and dust. On another note, I like the Chinese market Honda Integra much more than the Civic we got and I wish our Civic looked like the Integra. I was also really looking forward to buying a Boost Blue Civic Hatchback Sport but then Honda gimped the sport trim by only giving it the 2.0L gutless NA engine when the last generation sport hatchback got the 1.5T...

[pdx]

KK, Liked the review. No complaints. I would Honda to offer a dual fuel system (port and direct) for any of their engines, but they do not. Or...offer port injection for all of their engines with a turbo. That is why I feel the only option for me is the 'Sport' trim of the hatchback. 6-speed standard transmission and the engine has port injection. I am avoiding direct injection at all costs due to the carbon buildup on the intake valves.

[MrDaveaccord]

The six speed manual is the one I'd buy. Very disappointing that Honda dropped the manual in every Civic and Accord sedan. Wanted to order a Sport trim with the manual at my local dealer. He said no problem but they wanted $3K over MSRP for it. I was shocked, told him longtime loyal customers won't forget these tactics.

[stealthginfiniti]

I've driven hundreds of manual transmissions from nearly all of the different brands. By far, Honda makes the smoothest, most precise, enjoyable Manual Transmissions.

[ronochow]

It would look better if they blackened the chrome. There's no chrome on the grille already, so the window trim seems pointless

[cruzingrsx]

This car reminds me of my 06 Acura RSX type S I owned. Looking forward to a more sportier version but it a very nice well rounded ride

[cjsnylons]

I'm waiting for mine to be built. Red Sport Touring Hatchback with CVT. Seems like a great all around car.

[dearcoffee]

Why doesn’t anyone review the 2.0l manual hatch??

[MrUser]

It's hard to pick between the civic SPORTBACK or mazda 3 hatchback

Civic is practical, roomy interior and trunk, I've wanted a sport back ever since the audi a5 sportback. Nice looking interior, nice feeling/big temp knobs, wireless Android auto/ car play, wireless charger, less gloss black, good cubby areas

Mazda 3 has a nicer front facia(imo), nicer headlights/ rearlights, I personally love the knob for the info., nice looking/ better quality interior(they didn't cheap out on the rear doors like Honda, metal speaker grills, nicer steering wheel imo), automatic transmission(unlike civics cvt), nicer/ classy looking gauges (civic maybe digital, but if I can't have a full navigation map why bother)

[stevenr]

Thanks for that thorough review. I'm aiming for the Sport hatchback with the 2.0 NA and manual transmission. Hope you get a chance to test one in future.