After a five-year run with the 10th generation model, Honda has unveiled the prototype of the 11th generation Civic on Twitch. The car looks smart with a fresh face and derriere, and comes with better technology and safety features. This new design will be seen on the sedan, hatch, the Si, and Type-R models. Honda said the 2022 Civic will arrive something in late spring of 2021, which means we could see the actual production models in a few months from now.

What’s Different This Time Around?

On the outside, the Civic still looks quite smart, but isn’t as striking as it currently looks. But, looks are subjective, and to each its own.

The grille is more pronounced than before and the bumper is completely redone. Instead of the inserts running all along, it now features a big fat one in the center with complementary boomerangs on either side. This bit looks much sportier than the model it replaces. The LED Daytime Running Lights look quite nice, too.

The sharp cuts and creases all around are still as prominent as ever, thus giving the famed moniker an aggressive stance. It still rides low like the 10th generation, but the new styling makes it look even lower and wider despite being almost the same in terms of dimensions. The prototype showcased 19-inch black wheels, black wing mirrors, and was painted in a Solar Flare Pearl paint, which is quite similar to the Molten Lava Pearl offered on the current Civic.

The rear witnesses a drastic change, with new taillights that look a lot more sedate and mainstream as opposed to the super-smart set seen on the current-gen. The prototype displayed features smoked taillights, but this could be seen only on the higher trims or with a special black appearance package of sorts.

How Is It On The Inside?

Given how bold Civic has been over the years, this seems like a risk-free approach from Honda. Yes, the market has gotten competitive and people are preferring crossovers and SUVs to sedans, but Civic has a long legacy and Honda taking a safe route out by offering a neutral design doesn’t sound and look very good.

The highlight of the cabin is the fully-digital instrument cluster offered for the first time on the Civic. A nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system replaces the seven-inch screen and sits atop the dash. We’ll need to see if this will be a standard offering across the lineup or exclusive to the top trims. A horizontal bar runs across from the center console to the passenger side and it has honeycomb elements throughout.

Is There Anything Else That’s New?

Honda Civic is known to be one of the safest cars in the segment and Honda has upped the ante with the 11th generation. The automaker has said it will introduce multiple new active and passive safety systems, including an upgraded suite of Honda Sensing safety and driver-assistive technologies, and multiple new airbag designs.

Conclusion

Instead of a live stream on its website and YouTube channel, Honda decided to reveal the prototype on Twitch, given its presence in gaming and esports, and also its association with the live-streaming gaming platform.

Honda has said the 2022 Civic will arrive in late spring 2021. There is no word on the engine options, either, which could mean that all the mills will be retained as it is. The prices are not yet announced, but we don’t see any major hike; probably just a few hundred dollars to the starting price. The 2021 Civic sedan starts at $21,050.

What are your thoughts on the 2022 Civic? Do you find it to be better looking than the current model? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.