2022 Honda Civic: Best got better at age 50

Fifty years ago, the Honda Civic was introduced as a two-door or four-door subcompact sedan, a three-door or five-door hatchback and a five-door station wagon. It had starting cost of about $1,400 and weighed 1,411 pounds. Simultaneously, not much and everything has changed.

The debut Civic’s four-cylinder, 61-horsepower engine, was propelled by a four-speed manual transmission. It advanced from 0-to-60 miles per hour in 10.5 seconds and it had a top speed of 90 mph. The new Civic had a spacious interior, and it quickly built a reputation as environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient and reliable.

The 2022 Honda Civic, the debut of the car’s 11th generation, designates the brand’s 50th anniversary. It does so in grand fashion, particularly with the sport trim among the eight configurations offered.

Honda Civic: Years of Reliability

It’s still environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient. And if it follows the carmaker’s half-century legacy, it will be reliable for years.

What’s different is remarkable. For not much more than half of the average price of a new car in the United States, the new Civic re-defines what once was considered the epitome of automotive bland.

The 2022 Honda Civic in its sport trim features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 156-horsepower, a continuously variable transmission and the personality of a sports car. It accelerates from 0-to-60 miles per hour in slightly less than eight seconds and is slightly slower than last year’s model.

Honda Civic: Modernized For 11th Generation

Nonetheless, with its new modernized exterior and interior redesigns, the slightly diminished acceleration isn’t an issue.

The 2022 Civic includes a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display. A 9.0-inch unit is optional as is a 10.2-inch digital gauge display.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard and also offer wireless connectivity when paired with the larger of the two screens. In-dash navigation, a Bose stereo system and a wireless smartphone charging pad are optional.

Honda Sensing, which includes automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warnings, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance will continue as standard in all trim levels.

Honda knows it’s no longer the only top-level offering in the segment. The Hyundai Elantra, Mazda 3 and Toyota Corolla are worthy choices, all offering some enticing qualities. Hyundai offers the best warranty. Mazda has emphasized sportiness in recent years throughout its lineup. Toyota’s longevity is superior.

Honda Civic: The “Baby Accord

With the demise of Honda Fit, the 2022 Honda Civic is the manufacturer’s smallest car, and it’s sometimes referred to as a “Baby Accord.”

The body lines are simplified and refined, with a more sophisticated appearance. The headlights and taillights have a new sleek look. The A-pillars are moved back two inches. The hood angle is now horizontal.

Keeping a minimalist approach consistent, the Civic’s new interior will feature a “straight-line” design.

A new industry report detailed the average price of a new car in the United States has for the first time surpassed $45,000. With its destination fee, the Honda Civic Sport costs $24,095, about 47 percent less than whatever the average new car represents.

The Honda Civic Sport has gas mileage averages of 30 miles per gallon in city driving, 37 mpg on the highway. It’s attractive inside and outside, it offers a smooth, quiet drive at all speeds. The carmaker has the best resale statistics in the industry.

Honda has kept its three-year, 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty for too long, and it should reconsider the parameters.

Regardless, the Honda Civic is the eighth-best selling car in history. The 2022 edition continues the legacy and marks a grand 50th birthday.