The arrival of the redesigned 2016 Honda Civic turned out to be a significant event in the compact car field. Offered initially as a four-door sedan or stylish coupe, these new Civics delivered sporty handling, a comfortable ride, rewarding performance and a quiet, upscale interior.
This 10th generation Honda Civic quickly took first-place honors in the U.S. News ranking of compact cars.
For 2017, Honda has expanded the Civic lineup by adding a five-door hatchback.
With its impressive cargo room and exceptional road manners, could this new Civic Hatchback attract customers who might otherwise buy a small utility vehicle?
The Honda Civic Hatchback is offered in LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Sport Touring trim levels. The Sport and Sport Touring trim levels are hatchback exclusives.
Every Civic Hatchback is powered by a turbocharged, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The less powerful and less economical 2.0-liter four, which is standard equipment in the LX and EX sedans, is not offered. Transmission choices are a six-speed manual (LX and Sport models only) or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The CVT is standard in the EX, EX-L and Sport Touring models. It is optional in the LX and Sport versions.
The new Honda Civic Hatchback shares much of its looks and a 106.3-inch wheelbase with the Civic sedan. The Civic Hatchback, however, is slightly shorter (177.9 inches vs. 182.3) and higher (56.5 inches vs. 55.7).
It still looks sleek, thanks to its thin roofline, body sculpting, and slightly bobbed tail. Sport and Sport Touring models raise the bar with 18-inch alloy wheels with low profile 40-series tires, a distinctive dual-tip center exhaust outlet and, in the Sport Touring model, black window surrounds.
The Civic Hatchback’s 1.5-liter turbocharged engine is rated at either 174 horsepower in the LX, EX and EX-L models or 180 horsepower in the Sport and Sport Touring versions.
Maximum torque, 162 pound-feet with the CVT or 167 to 177 pound-feet with the six-speed manual transmission, is delivered over an exceptionally wide range of engine speeds, from just under 2,000 rpm and up to 5,500 rpm.
Sport models with the CVT have an EPA combined city-highway fuel economy rating of 32 mpg while models with the 174-horsepower motor and the CVT are rated at 34 mpg combined. Highway ratings go up to 40 mpg with the 174-horsepower engine and CVT. City and fuel economy figures never dip below 30 mpg. Honda says regular gasoline is acceptable, but premium is recommended in the 180-horsepower engine. All Civic Hatchbacks are front-wheel drive vehicles.
Jumping from the Civic Sedan to the Hatchback raises cargo capacity from 15.1 to 25.7 cubic feet. Fold the Civic Hatchback’s 60/40 split rear seats and the cargo hold grows to 46.2 cubic feet.
This betters the cargo room in the Mazda CX-3 (44.5 cubic feet) and nearly equals that of the Chevrolet Trax (48.4 cubic feet) and Jeep Renegade (50.8 cubic feet). Each of these is a crossover utility vehicle. The new Chevrolet Cruze hatchback, a logical competitor, is rated at 47.2 cubic feet of cargo space while the Ford Focus hatchback offers 43.9 cubic feet.
With up to 97.4 cubic feet for passengers, the Civic Hatchback is a roomy compact hatchback. EX, EX-L, and Sport Touring models have a one-touch power sunroof that reduces interior room to 94.8 cubic feet.
Front seat legroom is generous, at 42.3 inches. In the backseat, the Civic Hatchback delivers 36.0 inches of legroom.
The 1.5-liter engine, even when tuned to 174-horsepower, is an eager performer. The six-speed manual transmission features a light clutch with a smooth, linear engagement and a reasonably crisp shift linkage for a front-wheel drive vehicle.
Published reports generally peg the zero to 60 time at a little over – or slightly under – seven seconds, which is quite lively for a vehicle in this segment.
The 1.5-liter motor delivers ample punch at lower engine speeds, so there is no need to take it to its 6,500 rpm redline. However, the engine is so smooth, there is also no reason not to let it rev. Remember, though, that this more aggressive driving style will lower fuel economy.
Here, the Civic Hatchback, as is the case with the Civic Sedan, shines. The car has a level of composure on the road that is usually associated with more expensive European imports. (Although, the Civic Hatchback is also a European import, made in Great Britain.)
Steering is precise and nicely weighted. Its wide stance promotes a sense of security and balance in corners while the ride is compliant.
Spring for the EX or a higher trim level and the Civic Hatchback offers an impressive array of technology. Features include push-button start, smart entry, a seven-inch touch-screen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SMS text messaging, and Pandora compatibility.
EX-L and Sport Touring models include navigation. Unfortunately, the upgraded infotainment system still does not have a volume control knob, an oversight that has been remedied in Honda’s 2017 CR-V redesign.
Honda’s LaneWatch is standard on EX and higher trim levels. It shows what is in the driver’s blind spot on the right when the right directional signal is activated.
Honda Sensing, a package that includes lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, collision mitigating braking, road departure mitigation, and automatic high beam headlamps, is optional on LX, EX and EX-L models.
This Honda Sensing package, plus rain-sensing wipers and LED headlamps, are standard on Sport Touring models. The LED headlamps may be of some importance, since only the poor performance of the 2016 Civic Sedan’s halogen headlamps kept this model from earning the Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Every Civic Hatchback features brake assist, LED daytime running lights, and a backup camera.
Hatchbacks are far more popular in other parts of the world than they are here. If there is a hatchback that might change the minds of American buyers, however, the Honda Civic Hatchback is it.
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Introducing the New Honda Civic Hatchback
The arrival of the redesigned 2016 Honda Civic turned out to be a significant event in the compact car field. Offered initially as a four-door sedan or stylish coupe, these new Civics delivered sporty handling, a comfortable ride, rewarding performance and a quiet, upscale interior.
This 10th generation Honda Civic quickly took first-place honors in the U.S. News ranking of compact cars.
For 2017, Honda has expanded the Civic lineup by adding a five-door hatchback.
With its impressive cargo room and exceptional road manners, could this new Civic Hatchback attract customers who might otherwise buy a small utility vehicle?