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Is the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback just a Civic sedan with a more functional rear? Kinda yes, kinda no.

We’ve already reviewed the 11th generation Civic sedan and most of what we noted there, applies here. But I will mention that the Civic hatch has the same clean, usable cabin, standard 7-inch and optional 9-inch infotainment displays, and charming honeycomb trim that we like in the sedan.

But the Hatchback does have a distinct flavor of its own. Honda is proud of the hatchback’s coupe-like roofline. I might prefer a more wagon-like rear but this is nice too. Plus, with the departure of the two-door Civic coupe, this is as close as you can get to coupe-ish style in an 11th-gen Civic.

The hatch itself features a composite construction making it lightweight, allowing the use of smaller hinges, thereby facilitating that sleek roofline. Behind the rear seats is an ample 24.5 cu-ft. Drop the rear seats like this, and cargo space expands to a number I don’t know. But I do know that 60/40 split rear seats come standard.

To improve rearward visibility, the hatchback utilizes C-pillar corner windows. Especially with the blind spot monitoring system found on the EX-L and Sport Touring trims, lane changes should be drama-free.

What you’ll also find on the 2 highest trims is a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine making the exact same power as the sedan (180 hp ,177 lb-ft). But unlike the sedan, Honda offers both the 1.5-liter and the naturally aspirated 2.0L base engine (158 hp/138 lb-ft) with an optional 6-speed manual transmission.

Like the sedan, a continuously variable transmission comes standard with both engines. And honestly, it’s a good CVT. But if you prefer the manual option, it’s offered with the 2-liter-equipped Sport trim and the 1.5-equipped Sport Touring trim. There is a very high likelihood Civic generation 12 will not offer a manual transmission. So, if you think shifting gears is cool, you might want to buy a Civic Hatchback.

I didn’t mention this earlier but in addition to the obvious hatch, the Civic hatchback is also visually delineated from the sedan by a 4.9-inch shorter overall length, all of which is accounted for by the hatch’s shorter rear overhang. The Hatchback also includes a special concave mesh grill and this black rocker trim treatment, to give it a somewhat sportier character versus the sedan.

At the moment, Honda hasn't revealed fuel economy and pricing figures. But we can confirm that the 11th generation is a comfortable, thoughtfully engineered car in sedan form. Add to that the enhanced functionality and slightly flashier styling of the Civic hatchback and you’ve got an intriguing package, which you will be able to buy some time in late 2021.

00:00 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback
0:40 Exterior Style
0:55 Hatchback Space & Functionality
1:40 Rear Seat Space
2:20 Hatchback Engines & Transmissions
3:00 Civic Hatchback vs Civic Sedan