How Does the 2022 Honda Civic Compare To The 2021?

The Honda Civic is a repeat comparison test winner. It’s consistently ranked at the top of compact-car lists. And it’s good-looking, to boot. Seems like a great choice if you’re planning to head out to the local car dealership to get yourself some new wheels.

But once on the dealership lot, you’ll probably see redesigned 2022 Civics alongside 2021 models, and the older models might have a discounted price tag to make way for newer inventory. So should you opt for the brand spanking new or the tried and true?

Here are some comparisons between the 2021 and 2022 models that might help you make a decision.

Price, Exterior, and Interior

Pricing for the 2022 Honda Civic rivals that of the 2021 model, starting at $22,695 in LX trim, or $450 more than last year’s equivalent. At the top of the range is the Touring trim, which goes for the same $29,295 as it did last year.

The 2022 Civic is not as detailed (some might say busy) as the 2021. The 2021 model has more of a robotic aesthetic, while the 2022 features a more classic, uncluttered design. It’s safe to say that both cars look good in their own way.

The cabin of the 2022 Civic is the most upscale and attractive in a Civic to date. A horizontal theme imparts a sense of spaciousness. The ergonomics also seem improved:  The infotainment is positioned higher for a better line of sight and more comfortable viewing, and repositioned cupholders allow for easier reach. Although the interior materials used in the 2022 are similar in quality to the 2021, they’re used in a more thoughtful way. Case in point:  knurled climate knobs,  honeycomb air vent, and textured trim panels. All in all, the 2022 model’s interior is a step up.

Safety and Technology

The 2022 Civic is equipped with the Honda Sensing suite of driver assist and active safety features, including lane keep assist, front automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beams. This model’s Honda Sensing are said to be improved, offering more refined responses. The 2022 also features newly designed front airbags intended to reduce head injuries, as well as knee airbags for front passengers.
Safety ratings for the 2022 model aren’t available yet; the 2021 car earned impressive accolades from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

In the 2021 Civic, all trims above the base LX were equipped with a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen; the 2022 Civic has that size screen even on LX trim, equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The range-topping 2022 Touring trim gets a 9.0-inch touchscreen with built-in navigation, which caters to drivers with wireless smartphone connectivity and a wireless charging pad. Unlike lower trims, the 2022 Civic Touring has second-row USB ports; in addition, it also gets a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system (the first time a Civic has featured a name-brand setup). Also significant upgrade in the 2022 Civic:  A digital gauge display measuring 7.0 inches on all trims but the Touring, which gets a 10.2-inch unit.

Performance And Fuel Economy

Essentially, the engines are a carryover from 2021 to 2022:  The base engine is a 2.0-liter I-4 producing 158 hp and 138 lb-ft through a CVT automatic. Although the engines are similar between 2021 and 2022, the newer Civic’s additional sound-deadening material better isolates the cabin from the engine. Fuel economy may only improve slightly over the 29-30/37-38 mpg city/highway posted by the 2021 model. Civics with the 1.5-liter turbocharged I-4 are a bit more powerful for 2022, producing 180 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque as opposed to 174 hp and 162 lb-ft previously. Fuel economy may improve slightly over the 2020 Civic’s 29-32/35-42 mpg rating.