The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback represents the latest in a trend of superior performance hatchbacks that are not just affordable to buy but also fun to drive. Once upon a time, compact hatchbacks were underpowered, cramped little cars meant for folks on a tight budget. These economy cars got superior fuel economy but weren’t much more fun to drive than riding a three-year-old’s tricycle. In other words, performance wasn’t just an afterthought; it was no thought at all. But that was before automakers began to see the potential in these economical compacts.
There are two key things that set a hatchback apart from other compact models. First, having a larger trunk means more room for your stuff, which is why these compact hatchbacks are so practical. Second, their unique profile lends them to improved handling and acceleration, which is why we have seen so many automakers come out with high-performance hatchbacks, culminating in the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport and Sport Touring trims. These two versions are the ones to go for if you are looking to get the most performance out of your Honda Civic Hatchback.
Sporty Performance
Like with any vehicle, your Honda Civic Hatchback’s performance is going to start with its powertrain. This combination of the engine and transmission will determine the ability to transfer torque to the front axles where the Civic Hatchback’s drivetrain is located, as this is a front-wheel drive vehicle only.
Every trim of the 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback is equipped with a 1.5-liter 16-valve DOHC turbocharged I-4 gas engine. This engine utilizes direct fuel injection to improve engine efficiency and performance. The Sport and Sport Touring trims are given a horsepower boost, with 180 horsepower compared to the 174 horsepower of the LX and EX trims. In addition, Honda gives you a choice of transmissions on the 2021 Civic Hatchback Sport and Sport Touring. There is a 6-speed manual transmission that gives you 177 pound-feet of torque. There is also a continuously variable transmission that will reduce torque slightly to 162 pound-feet of torque.
While enthusiasts are bound to appreciate a new car with a 6-speed manual transmission, the CVT isn’t a terrible option for city drivers. The manual gives you greater control over engine performance as well as a bit more torque, but the CVT comes with paddle shifters on Sport and Sport Touring trims to give you the ability to shift gears manually.
Sharp and Efficient Driving
Honda has given the Sport and Sport Touring trims larger 18-inch alloy wheels for crisp and responsive handling. Like all trims of the Civic, the Civic Hatchback sports all-season tires. The front suspension features MacPherson struts, while the rear has a multi-link rear suspension. This will give you a smooth but sporty ride in your Civic Hatchback. The variable-ratio electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering has a tighter steering ratio than the other trims, giving you a nice feel of the road with exceptional cornering.
So how do these trims perform? You will find the 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport and Sport Touring trims a very fun ride. The acceleration is solid, going from 0 to 60 miles per hour in roughly 7.1 seconds on cars with the 6-speed manual transmission. It will take you another 11 seconds to get up to 100 miles per hour and a full 40.6 seconds to reach the Civic Hatchback Sport’s top speed of 132 miles per hour. Braking is solid, and it takes only 170 feet to get this Hatchback to a full stop from 70 miles per hour.
Even with this great performance, the Civic Hatchback won’t hurt you at the gas pump with truly exceptional fuel economy for a sporty model. In 2021, the Sport and Sport Touring trims with the CVT will give you 29 miles per gallon in the city, 35 miles per gallon on the highway, and a combined 32 miles per gallon. Choosing a 6-speed manual transmission for these performance trims gives you the same 29 miles per gallon in the city and 32 miles per gallon combined, but the highway fuel economy increases slightly to 37 miles per gallon. We expect to see similar estimates with the 2022 models. Still, no matter which transmission you choose, you are going to spend a lot of time enjoying your ride and less time waiting in line at the gas pump.
Sporty Technology and Interior Comfort Features
The Sport and Sport Touring trims of the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback are equipped with plenty of features to make your ride more comfortable and enjoyable. It starts with the Honda infotainment system on a 7-inch or 9-inch high-resolution electrostatic touchscreen. The Civic Hatchback Sport has a 180-watt 8-speaker audio system, with HondaLink apps, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and Bluetooth streaming audio and hands-free link.
The more luxurious Sport Touring trim adds a number of premium features to this system. Honda satellite-linked navigation system with voice recognition and Honda HD digital traffic will help you get to wherever you are going safely and quickly. The Sport Touring also has an upgraded 540-watt 12-speaker premium audio system with a subwoofer that will impress even the most critical audiophile. The SMS text message function on your Honda infotainment system will make it safer and easier to check your messages while out on the road. Finally, Honda includes an HD radio and a SiriusXM satellite radio trial subscription with the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport Touring trim.
The Honda Civic Hatchback Sport and Sport Touring trims feature alloy sport pedals to improve pedal grip and add a race-inspired feel to the cockpit. They also feature a leather-wrapped steering wheel and leather-wrapped shift knob. The Sport Touring carries this leather further, with a fully leather-trimmed interior, including heated leather seats in the front and rear. A one-touch power moonroof completes the interior package on the Sport Touring trim, while the Sport trim features comfortable fabric seats.
The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback can seat up to 5 passengers comfortably, with up to 46.2 cubic feet of space in the car’s trunk. Having a hatchback makes this easily accessible. With that much room, great fuel efficiency, and exceptional performance, the Civic Hatchback Sport and Sport Touring are ideal for road trips, whether you are heading out to the beach in summer, touring fall foliage in autumn, hitting the slopes in winter, or going for a ride in the country in the spring.
Sporty Priced to Move
The Sport and Sport Touring trims of the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback are amazingly affordable. The Sport trim has an estimated starting MSRP of around $23,100, while the Sport Touring is going to sell starting in the range of $28,400. Even the highest trim of this model still starts under the $30,000 mark.
Make Your Next Hatchback a Civic Sport or Sport Touring
Hatchbacks have come a long way since those old economy models from the ’60s and ’70s. As you can see, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport and Sport Touring are at the vanguard of a renaissance in the compact hatchback segment. They provide exceptional performance and amazing creature comforts through technological innovation without losing what made these cars so popular in the first place – an affordable price and practical design. When it comes time for your next vehicle purchase, test drive a 2022 Civic Hatchback Sport or Sport Touring and see for yourself why these are two great sports indeed.
