The next-generation Honda Civic Hatchback – highly styled, turbocharged, a manual transmission pocket rocket, goes against the outdated Detroit Three dogma that says hatchbacks don’t sell. I remember a senior Detroit exec – who was diligently and successfully working his company into bankruptcy – looking at a little jewel Japanese hatchback with me and remarking “I’m glad I’m not so poor that I have to buy one of those.” Maybe he is now.
While some Detroit offerings – Chevy Cruze, Spark, Sonic; Ford Fiesta – have reversed anti-hatch course, the production 2017 Civic Hatchback is a formable challenge. This marks the continued roll-out of the 10th-generation Civic lineup, arguably the “sportiest” and certainly the most expansive, and competent family of Civics in the car’s 44-year history.
The Civic Sedan was named the 2016 North American Car of the Year at the North American International Auto Show. Sale of Civic coupes and sedans at 47,000 are up 37% through the first two months of 2016. Exec summary: Honda has been in this business a long, long time. Honda has small car momentum that no Detroit Three company can claim. This fall the Civic hatchback adds to the line.
The 10th generation Civic is as formidable a compact car that exists in showrooms now, albeit Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sentra are contenders. With an all-new platform, two new engines, including Honda’s first turbocharged engine in the US, and a new exterior and interior, Honda has finally stopped chasing Toyota, arguably, and is going its own way with a more expressive car line.
“The Civic Hatchback wraps the 10-generation Civic platform and five-door hatchback utility in emotional, Euro-inspired styling,” said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division of American Honda Motor. “Offered with the first application of the 1.5-liter turbo engine paired with a manual transmission, this sportiest Civic to date will attract a whole new set of enthusiasts buyers to the model and Honda brand.”
The 1.5-liter, direct-injected and turbocharged 16-valve DOHC inline-4, comes with a CVT in sedan and coupe versions. This new powerplant is the most powerful engine ever offered on a non-Si Civic in America.
The Civic Hatchback will launch later this year as the third new Civic variant, joining the 2016 Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe. The 10th-generation Civic lineup will be rounded out in 2017 with the arrival of Civic Si variants and the new Civic Type R. The 2017 Civic Hatchback will be produced exclusively at the Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM) plant in Swindon.
