2021 Honda Civic vs 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback

The 2021 Honda Civic exemplified a segment-defining design that Honda had been known to regenerate roughly every ten years. This generation, which kicked off in 2016, was polarizing and daring, showing off Honda's boldness in pushing the reset button on compact car design. The 2021 model, available in sedan, hatchback, and performance-tuned Type R formats but no longer offering a coupe, retained the dramatic flair that either drew admiration or criticism.

Our test model, the Touring sedan in Cosmic Blue Metallic, combined elegant aesthetics with a somewhat variable impression based on lighting and angles. The 18-inch wheels on the Touring trim added to its appeal, making it look contemporary. The interior was luxurious for its class and featured high-quality materials, adventurous design, and thoughtful detailing, albeit the 7-inch maximum infotainment screen could feel underwhelming by modern standards.

Conversely, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback presented itself as a fresh, ambitious player eager to capture the declining hatchback market amid a surge in small crossover SUVs. Designed in the U.S., this model offered a compelling resemblance to the new sedan from the front doors forward but embraced its unique identity from the rear doors back. Although it occasionally suffered from "stubby butt syndrome" from certain angles, it maintained a balanced, weight-distributed aesthetic pleasing to many eyes.

Inside, the Civic Hatchback mirrored the sedan with modernized digital displays, a sophisticated cabin vibe, and quality materials. The Sport Touring trim, featuring trim-specific digital instruments and infotainment displays, echoed the sedan's upscale aura but offered a bit more practicality thanks to features like metal honeycomb dashboard detailing hiding the air vents.

When examining performance, the 2021 Honda Civic offered adequate prowess with its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque on LX and Sport trims. This power was transmitted through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to the front wheels. The turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, standard on EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, was preferable with 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, available low from 1,700 rpm to 5,500 rpm. The rigid suspension, responsive steering, and solid four-wheel independent suspension made the Civic Touring with its 18-inch wheels a delight to drive, but the CVT could be droningly frustrating despite offering good fuel economy — averaging 34.8 mpg on a mixed driving loop.

On to the 2022 Civic Hatchback, this model was equipped with either a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in LX and Sport trims, generating the same 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, or a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine in EX-L and Sport Touring trims, offering improved output at 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. The broader peak torque range from 1,700 rpm to 4,500 rpm made this powertrain more appealing for daily drivers. The CVT, while commonly effective, and a delightful six-speed manual transmission option for driving enthusiasts on the Sport Touring trim catered well to different types of drivers. Real-world testing showed the CVT-equipped versions delivered close to their EPA estimates, clocking 32.1 mpg, with the manual transmission variants trailing closely at 30.2 mpg.

The 2021 Honda Civic sedan, despite its compact classification, offered an interior spacious enough for grown-ups to sit comfortably in the back. However, the notably low seating position meant drivers and passengers would need robust glutes and quads to get in and out of the car. The eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat (standard in most trims) and the generously sized center console compensated for comfort and accessibility quirks. The trunk space was respectable, providing 15.1 cubic feet (14.7 cubic feet for the Touring trim due to the premium sound system).

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback epitomized practicality with a 24.5-cubic-foot trunk and an innovative two-piece cargo shade, providing versatile storage solutions. The rear seats included a 60/40-split folding design, significantly enhancing cargo capacity further despite the non-flat load floor. Front seating was comfortable, especially with the eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, but the lack of a height adjuster for the passenger seat drew minor complaints, along with the absence of rear air conditioning vents.

Technology-wise, the 2021 Civic showed its age, especially with the base LX trim, which featured a 5-inch LCD screen, Bluetooth, and a meager 1.0-amp USB port. The Sport trim upgraded the infotainment system to a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a more powerful USB port. Higher trims like the EX and Touring added HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, digital traffic, and a premium 10-speaker audio system.

In contrast, the 2022 Civic Hatchback boasted a next-gen infotainment system across all trims. The LX, Sport, and EX-L trims included a 7-inch touchscreen with physical knobs, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sport Touring trim upped the ante with a 9-inch screen, wireless smartphone integration, navigation, and a premium 12-speaker Bose audio system. Honda’s inclusion of physical knobs and a stabilizing shelf for the touchscreen further enhanced user experience, with superior voice recognition across trims.

The 2021 Honda Civic came fully equipped with Honda Sensing, Honda's suite of ADAS. This suite included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and Road Departure Mitigation, among others. However, the LaneWatch system, available from EX trim upward, had limitations in visibility and protection, particularly on the car's left side. Despite that, the Civic earned high safety ratings, securing a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS (in Touring trim) and five-star ratings in all NHTSA assessments.

The 2022 Civic Hatchback improved upon its predecessor’s safety suite with a next-gen Honda Sensing system that included more refined and accurate ADAS operations. New features like low-speed following and Traffic Jam Assist alleviated commuting stress. However, some essential features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts were only available on higher trims. Complementarily, advanced new airbags and structural improvements earned the Hatchback a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.