The hybrid sedan Malaysia needs: 2022 Honda Civic FE e:HEV debuts with 2.0L engine, same as Accord

• First Civic Hybrid after 2 generations, lauunches in June
• 2.0-liter hybrid, with eCVT, Sensing standard
• Adds rear A/C vents, fully-digital meter, many more goodies

It's been seven years since we last had a Civic Hybrid, but here it is once again: this is the 2022 Honda Civic e:HEV that's just made its world premiere at the Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS), Thailand. Talk about a bang!

The last time the h-word was tied to a Civic was with the FB-series, sold from 2011 to 2015. That generation was somewhat the less loved middle-child between the vastly popular Civic FD and Civic FC, but this Civic FE hybrid seems to pack enough firepower and features to make it a winner...on paper at least.

2022 Honda Civic e:HEV hybrid exterior

The love-it-or-hate-it exterior is familiar, if this time appended by the usual blue-tinged badges and e:HEV lettering on both the EL+ and RS variants, a common theme among recent Honda hybrids.

Special to the hybrids are chrome inlays within the LED headlights, 'unique LED tail lights', chrome detailing on the grille, and different wheels: the e:HEV EL+ gets a fresh lick of paint on its 17-inch rollers, while the 18-inch units on the RS are exclusive to it, plucked straight from the North American Touring variant.

Also read: ASEAN's most powerful, 2022 Honda Civic (FE) launched in Malaysia: priced from RM 126k

Then there's the usual aesthetic choices, with the e:HEV RS gaining black side mirrors, black/chrome door handles, black sharkfin-style antenna, and the bootlid spoiler. There's also chrome accents along the glasshouse, instead of black like the regular RS.

Customers can pick from a palette of six colours: the e:HEV RS-exclusive Ignite Red Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Platinum White Pearl, Meteoroid Gray Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic, and Morning Mist Blue Metallic, which is only available for the e:HEV EL+ variant.

Also read: Honda Malaysia brightens up the colour palettes for the City and Accord

2022 Honda Civic e:HEV hybrid specs

But never mind its familiar look, the main draw is what's under the hood. Like the latest-generation Honda City/City Hatchback and HR-V e:HEV hybrids, the Civic e:HEV has a similar two-motor setup, except it has a bigger 2.0-litre engine instead of a 1.5-litre unit.

The Civic e:HEV combines a 2.0-litre, direct injection DOHC VTEC (Atkinson cycle) engine to a pair of electric motors, connected to a lithium ion (Li-Ion) battery. Mated to that is an e-CVT that drives the front wheels.

We wish we could tell you power outputs, but that’s still under lock and key. If it’s any clue, Thailand’s Accord e:HEV has the same setup, powered by a pair of electric motors (184 PS/175 Nm) hooked up to a 145 PS/175 Nm, 2.0-litre four-cylinder mill too. Combined system output for that is a heady 215 PS.

Also read: Here’s why the all-new 2020 Honda City RS with i-MMD doesn’t need a gearbox

All hybrid variants retain its drive mode selector, which toggles between fuel-sipping Econ, general-use Normal, and perkier Sport modes.

2022 Honda Civic e:HEV hybrid interior update

Power aside, what makes the Civic RS just that much more compelling is the interior update – chiefly headlined by the inclusion of rear air-cond vents. Impeccable timing, Honda, with the weather and all…

The RS e:HEV gets the lion’s share of tech updates, further gaining a fully-digital, 10.2-inch instrument cluster (the EL+ continues with the usual 7-inch semi-digital setup like other variants), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on its 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, and dual-zone air-cond, in addition to the Honda Smart Key Card System.

Also read: Asking for RM 144k, is the 2022 Honda Civic RS worth the extra money?

Beyond that, there's 60:40 split-folding rear seats, Honda Connect telematics, remote engine start capabilities, as well as suede-and-leather seats for the e:HEV RS.

Honda Sensing is of course, standard fare, bundling these features:

• Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
• Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow (ACC with LSF)
• Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
• Road Departure Mitigation System with Lane Departure Warning (RDM with LDW)
• Auto High-Beam (AHB)
• Lead Car Departure Notification System (LCDN)

That’s in addition to Honda LaneWatch, a driver attention monitor, multi-angle rear-view camera, and all-round seat belt reminders.

Also read: The all-new 2022 Honda Civic FE has a clever weight reduction method

2022 Honda Civic e:HEV hybrid prices

Prices are still estimates (the car will be launched proper in June 2022), and are as below:

What about Malaysia?

It might be a bit early to tell for sure, but it is likely that the Civic e:HEV could make its Malaysian appearance. During the model's initial launch here, Large Project Leader (LPL) for the Civic FE, Mr. Tomoyuki Yamagami said that there is a possibility but couldn't disclose much.

Also read: Review: 2022 Honda Civic FE – Forget baby Accord, it’s on par with the 3 Series

As far as Honda Malaysia's immediate plans are concerned however, we have the 2022 Honda HR-V to look forward to first, and that's happening sometime in the middle of this year.

Also read: 2022 Honda HR-V to launch in Malaysia after June - VTEC Turbo, e:HEV hybrid hinted