Honda’s most successful model in India has been the City sedan. However, the Japanese brand has ushered in various models, most of which haven’t had a huge impact on the market, including their fun little hatchback, the Brio. The previous-generation Civic and CR-V were shelved during the second wave of the pandemic in India. Where does this leave the brand? We look at what could possibly be among their new upcoming cars in 2021 and ’22.
2022 Honda Civic sedan
Mature, not mean
The new Civic doesn’t remind us of the old Civic in any way. While the 10th-generation Civic looked sporty and aggressive, the new Civic seems to have been designed to cater to a more mature buyer. So the overall design is more toned down, although it is still a pretty looking car. It continues to have that low, wide stance, which has been a trend on Civics since the first-gen model. Honda Cars have also ensured the car is longer than the outgoing model with a longer wheelbase too. At the front, it features sleek headlamps, flanked by an equally sleek-looking grille, below which is positioned the radiator grille with fog lights on either side of the front bumper. It gets a sharp character line on the sides, but gone is that coupe-like look of the older one. At the rear, it features an integrated boot lid spoiler and stylish wraparound tail lights with LEDs incorporated in them. The Indian-spec car should come with 17-inch wheels.
Interior details
Inside the new Civic, Honda Cars have given the car a low-set dashboard that sports a tidy look with a nice honey-comb pattern strip that separates the lower and upper half. Honda Cars state that it separates the AC and infotainment controls and gives the dashboard a neat look. The new Civic also features a 10.2-inch LCD instrument cluster. There’s even a free-standing touchscreen infotainment system; either a 9.0-inch or a 7.0-inch display, based on the variant that is opted for. It also comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. There are physical buttons for the climate control.
Engine & Gearbox details
The chassis is said to be more rigid compared to the outgoing car and the rear track is wider, bettering stability. Even the suspension get some tweaks, resulting in better ride and handling, plus a tweaked steering. The Civic will come powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine and a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo petrol unit. Both engines will come paired to a CVT ‘box, and while the bigger engine will develop 157bhp and 187Nm of torque, the smaller one will develop 179bhp and 240Nm of torque. Further specifications are yet to be revealed. The new car gets new airbags and Honda’s Sensing safety net has been updated, now featuring low speed braking control, Traffic Jam assist and false start prevention. We’re yet to see if the Civic comes back to our market, considering the massive demand for SUVs in that price range. Sadly, the brand discontinued the 10-generation Civic and Honda CR-V due to a lack of demand.
The 11th-generation Honda Civic hatchback looks even sportier and sexier than the sedan with a fastback-like sloping roofline. The rear hatch is lighter and the A-pillars are pushed further back, while the wheelbase is longer too. However, the new Civic hatchback will be sold abroad only as an e:HEV petrol-electric car. This includes a 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine, along with two electric motors. It hasn’t been confirmed if there will be any other new upcoming cars in 2021 for India, from Honda.
