By: Krish Persaud
March 20, 2022
When you hear someone mention a Honda Civic, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Each person you ask will likely have a different story to tell, demonstrating the magnitude of influence the Civic has had. It’s tied to many memories such as an old car scene complete with the screams of a four-cylinder hitting VTEC, bringing your first-born home in the new family sedan, or driving to your new job on the very first day. With the passage of time, the Civic has progressed to its 11th generation, all while retaining its dependability, affordability, and fun-to-drive attitude.
The Honda Civic has been redesigned for 2022, and Honda Canada gave us the chance to test drive this attractive sedan for a week. Our test vehicle came well equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, continuously variable transmission (CVT), 18-inch alloy wheels, Bose 12-speaker sound system, parking sensors, and a stunning Sonic Grey Pearl paint job.
The Civic currently comes with two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine that produces 158 horsepower and is available in the LX, EX, and Sport trim levels. Or as found in our Touring tester, a direct-injected 1.5-litre turbocharged engine that produces 180 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 177 lb-ft of torque at 1,700 rpm. The turbocharged 4-cylinder engine has no problem reaching highway speeds quickly; it feels incredibly energetic and responsive and works well with the CVT.
One of the most talked-about topics right now is the sudden increase in gas prices around the world; we’re always looking for ways to save money by reducing our fuel consumption. Honda’s city fuel consumption is 7.6 L/100 km, highway fuel consumption is 6.1 L/100 km, and combined fuel consumption is 6.9 L/100 km. During our week-long test, we noticed a higher average of 7.7L/100km of combined driving, which was influenced by the sub-zero temperatures in Ontario at the time of our test.
For 2022, the Honda Civic styling has matured. There is just the right amount of front and rear styling cues from the Honda Accord, as well as the Sonic Grey Pearl paint that compliments the car from every angle. The Civics standard 18-inch, two-tone alloy rims, and low-profile wheels give it a premium appearance and feel without breaking the bank.
We were impressed by the improvements over previous model years when we first stepped inside the Civic. A full-digital LCD display has been incorporated into the instrument cluster, which can be customized using the steering wheel toggle dials. We were able to achieve the minimalist look we desired with just a few button presses.
The Touring trim includes a 9-inch infotainment screen, which is an upgrade over the previous model and includes physical buttons for key functions like the home screen and the volume knob. The Touring adds wireless phone charging and the ability to connect to both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay without using wires. The entire pairing process is painless, and it only took a few minutes to get everything set up.
The interior fit and finish are elegant, with many soft-touch surfaces. The air vents are neatly hidden behind a mesh panel that separates the upper and lower dashboard, and the climate controls are simple to operate and conveniently located.
The power-adjustable front seats in the Touring trim level are upholstered in black leather and offer plenty of support, making long drives a breeze. Once you’ve decided on your favourite song, a good sound system goes a long way.
The Touring model includes a 12-speaker Bose sound system. We like that we can equalize the sound, and it appears to do a good job of representing frequencies across the board when paired with the subwoofer. However, it would be nice to be able to independently adjust the subwoofer gain for those who don’t require as much boom. Aside from that, it sounds incredible.
The Honda Civic has always delivered when it comes to spirited driving. The steering rack simply speaks to you when the car is thrown into corners, instilling confidence with its just-right feel. The car is well balanced, and the beefier body structure is an upgrade over the previous model. The Civic sedan isn’t designed to be a sports sedan, but it performs admirably for the money and is undeniably pleasurable to drive on a daily basis.
Honda recognized that safety is a primary concern for many car buyers and made sure to include it in the Civic. Honda Sensing is a standard suite of driver-assist features that includes blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.
Price ranges for the Honda Civic models begin at $24,465 for the LX, $26,765 for the EX, $27,865 for the Sport, $30,265 for the Touring, and $33,150 for the SI. Our 2022 Honda Civic Touring tester was priced at $30,565, which included the Sonic Grey Pearl paint.
The Civic strives to be the best in its class with a matured appearance, a premium feel throughout the cabin, numerous standard safety features, and a great driving experience that is becoming increasingly difficult to beat. You can also opt for the Civic SI, which has been retuned for a little more power, or if you are willing to wait the Type R should be available in the near future. In the meantime, we are quite pleased with the Civic Touring as it is.
