The hybrid sedan Malaysia needs: 2022 Honda Civic FE e:HEV debuts with 2.0L engine, same as Accord
Sanjay · Mar 24, 2022 11:00 AM
0
0
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 Civice: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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Prices are still estimates (the car will be launched proper in June 2022), and are as below:
2022 Honda Civic e:HEV hybrid estimated price
Variant
Est. price
e:HEV EL+
Below THB 1,150,000
(~Below RM 144,408)
e:HEV RS
Below THB 1,270,000
(~Below RM 159,476)
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.
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.
With humble beginnings collecting diecast models and spending hours virtually tuning dream cars on the computer, his love of cars has delightfully transformed into a career. Sanjay enjoys how the same passion for cars transcends boundaries and brings people together.