The first mass-production 10th-generation Honda Civics have now set sail for the United States. Due to arrive in dealers across North America by September, the US version Civic is made by Honda’s United Kingdom manufacturing base in Swindon.
The story comes after last year’s announcement that Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM) is to become the global production hub for the 10th-generation Civic hatchback, and received an investment of over £200 million to prepare for the start of production of the new model.
Civic is Honda’s biggest selling nameplate worldwide and this tenth generation is one of the most comprehensive new model developments ever undertaken by the brand. The four-door sedan version was launched in US in late 2015, and received the coveted North American Car of the Year award.
“Production of the hatchback for the UK market will commence towards the end of 2016, with sales beginning in the first quarter of 2017. Our factory in Swindon will also export the model to other key markets around Europe and the rest of the world,” said Philip Webb, head of cars at Honda UK.
Built on the same world-class platform as the 10th-generation Civic Sedan and Coupe, the 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback offers an appealing combination of sporty styling, efficiency, interior utility and premium features. The Civic Hatchback will be available in LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Sport Touring trims, and will feature a single engine for the US market: a 1.5-liter DOHC direct-injected turbocharged in-line four-cylinder with peak output of 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet (219 Newton-meters) of torque in LX, EX and EX-L trims and 180 hp and 162 lb.-ft. of torque in the Sport and an all-new Sport Touring grade, which feature a high-flow center-mounted exhaust.
The turbocharged engine will be offered with either a sporty CVT or a performance-inspired six-speed manual transmission. Anticipated EPA fuel economy ratings of 31/40/34 miles per gallon (city/highway/combined) for CVT-equipped models, based on the newer, more stringent model year 2017 EPA ratings requirements, put the five-door Honda Civic Hatchback at the top of its class.
Working in concert with the Honda turbocharged power train is the Civic’s more rigid and lightweight body and sophisticated chassis design, featuring a fully independent suspension system with liquid-filled bushings, front and rear; sport-tuned electronic power steering with variable gear ratios; and powerful four-channel anti-lock disc brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution and Hill Start Assist.
The interior of the 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback carries through on the modern, sophisticated and premium quality of the 10th-generation Civic line-up, with high-grade materials and finishes applied liberally throughout. In terms of packaging, the 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback delivers class-leading volume and cargo capacity, including a roomy interior (122.9 cubic feet), best rear seat legroom (36 inches) and largest cargo carrying capacity in the competitive set.
With driver-assist technologies
Available on most trims will be the Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver-assist technologies, which includes Collision Mitigation Braking System, Forward Collision Warning integrated with CMBS, Lane Keeping Assist, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning integrated with RDM and Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow. Other available features include Honda Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats and heated side mirrors, power driver and front-passenger seats, remote engine start and more.
The Civic Hatchback’s all-new Sport Touring grade makes Honda Sensing, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and LED headlights as standard equipment, while adding heated rear seats and other features.
The 2017 Civic Hatchback was developed jointly by Honda research and development teams in Europe and Japan and will be manufactured exclusively by Honda of the UK Manufacturing in its Swindon, UK plant.