Honda Unveils 2017 Civic Hatchback

Long-awaited 5-door hatchback for the North American market will also be the basis for another first for the States - the latest Civic Type-R.

Honda Civic Hatchback

Although it's hard to tell now by looking around, the fact is that the Honda Civic hatchback has had quite a history here in the U.S.

The original Honda Civic that arrived on our shores for the 1973 model year was available as either a three-door hatchback or 4-door sedan (although even the sedan looked like a hatchback).

The hatchback body style soldiered on here in the States until the end of the line for the seventh generation of the model in 2004. Then it disappeared, although not exactly. In Japan and Europe as well as a number of other markets, Honda continued to build Civic hatchbacks. The slick-looking styling of the eighth-generation Civic translated nicely into a 3-door hatchback body. And while Honda chose to move the U.S. version of the ninth-gen model down market by cutting some corners, the European market five door hatchback unveiled in Frankfurt in 2011 was far more sophisticated.

Fortunately for us, the surging market for small crossover sport utility vehicles has reawakened the interest of American buyers for small hatchbacks – heck, even Chevrolet is bringing a hatchback version of its Cruze compact, a model that's been sold in Europe since mid-2011.

2017 Honda Civic Hatchback

The Civic Hatch has been a staple for Honda in Europe, but has long been the forbidden fruit for Honda fans in the U.S.," said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Now, we're bringing this sporty, stylish and versatile Civic Hatchback to North America, as we amp up the performance of our incredible Civic lineup with each new Civic model."

Based on the same platform as its sedan and coupe stable mates, when it reaches dealerships this fall the 2017 Civic Hatchback will be offered in a plethora of trims - LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Sport Touring. In the U.S. market it will feature just a single engine offering: a 1.5-liter DOHC direct-injected turbocharged inline-4. In LX, EX and EX-L trims it will generate 174 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft. of torque. In Sport and Sport Touring grade trims, which feature a high-flow center-mounted exhaust, output increases to 180 horsepower, although maximum torque remains the same.

Channeling this power to the front wheels, a CVT transmission will be offered on all trims, while a "performance-inspired" 6-speed manual transmission will come standard on LX, Sport, and EX trim levels. While official EPA-estimated fuel economy figures are yet to be released, Honda anticipates EPA fuel economy ratings of 31/40/34 mpg (city/highway/combined) for CVT-equipped models (based on newer, more stringent model year 2017 EPA ratings requirements).

Honda Sensing

Standard on the Sport Touring model and available as an option on all but the LX grade will be Honda Sensing, a suite of safety technologies that includes:

• Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW) integrated with RDM
• Forward Collision Warning (FCW) integrated with CMBS
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow
• Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS)
• Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)

In addition, Honda Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be standard on EX and above models, while the new Sport Touring grade comes with all that plus niceties such as heated front and rear seats and heated side mirrors, power driver and front-passenger seats, remote engine start and LED headlights as standard equipment.

2017 Honda Civic Hatchback prices

The 2017 Civic Hatchback will be manufactured exclusively by Honda of the UK Manufacturing in its Swindon, UK plant. It also will serve as the basis for the latest (as well as new-to-the-U.S.) Civic Type-R launching in the U.S. in 2017. Although shipments of the new hatchback are already making their way stateside, pricing will be released closer to its on-sale date this fall.