2017 Honda Civic: The Return of the Civic Hatchback
NEW YORK, NY – It’s been years since Honda actually built a Civic that generated enthusiasm amongst true Civic enthusiasts. This enthusiasm will partially arrive via a third body style, which hasn’t been part of the Civic lineage for some years in North America.
Five doors and a hatch
Sure, we got the sedan and the sportier coupe, but missing from the lineup was the all-important hatchback, especially since many hot-hatch enthusiasts are also hardcore Civic fans.
- Also: Honda Civic Hatchback Prototype: Sporty and Practical for Geneva
- Also: Honda Stops Sales And Recalls The 2016 Civic
That changes for 2017 with the introduction of the Honda Civic five-door hatchback, which was revealed for the first time in North America at the New York International Auto Show. It was initially presented at the Geneva Auto Show a few weeks ago. For now, Honda is calling this new car a concept, but the company has confirmed that it will appear in North America later this year as a 2017 model.
Turbocharged at last
The hatchback is based on the freshly redesigned 10th-generation Civic sedan, which was awarded AJAC Car of the Year for 2016. It will be available with two engines in other markets, but in Canada it will come only with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four producing 174 horsepower.
The engine will be paired to either a CVT automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. Also announced are upcoming Civic Si and Civic Type R variants, though release times have not been announced. Honda also announced during a pre-show party honouring the Civic Hatchback that all Civic models equipped with the turbocharged engine will be available with a six-speed manual.
Specifications have not been released, but the press release notes it will have larger, wider wheels and tires than the current models, which would be in line with its sportier stance.
New old customers
This new Civic Hatchback, which will be manufactured exclusively at Honda’s Swindon plant in the U.K., should entice a younger generation of drivers, especially the hot-hatch crowd, which have been longtime fans of the Civic.
The car might have lost some of its appeal among those tuner types, mostly due to its previously pedestrian styling and performance, but this latest-generation hot hatch from Honda should rekindle the love affair that had somewhat cooled over the years, especially when the sportier Si and Type R versions are released.
- Check out our complete coverage of the New York Auto Show
