The 2017 Honda Civic Sport is an entry-level hatchback with sporty pretensions. Yes, a Civic Type R and Civic SI are on their way but for now, if you want a racy Civic, the Sport trim is the only option.
New for 2017, the Honda Civic hatch joins the coupe and sedan lineup with more room and more utility. Design wise, the Civic Hatch and Civic Sedan are similar from the B-pillar forward. The new hatchback can be differentiated from a sedan by the black grill. Out back our Civic Sport had not one, but two spoilers and dual center-mounted exhausts to finish out the boy-racer body kit.
Under the hood, only one engine option is available; a direct injected 1.5-Liter turbo four mated to either a 6-speed manual or continuously variable transmission. Regardless of transmission, the Sport trim makes 180 horsepower. However, if rowing the gears isn’t your thing, CVT equipped Sport Civics lose 15 lb-ft of torque (162 lb-ft down from 177). A combination of MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link rear suspension means the new Civic Hatch feels much more direct and planted than its affordable $22,135 price tag would suggest.
Speaking of price, our middle-of-the-line trim arrived with nearly no options but came standard with welcome conveniences like Bluetooth audio, automatic climate control, and a surprisingly potent audio system. While the interior may be awash in hard black plastics, the leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel fell easily and comfortably to the hand.
And speaking of shift knobs, the 6-speed manual equipped in our Rallye Red tester was both precise and light to use, easily one of the best aspects of the driving experience.
If you just can’t wait for the upcoming Honda Civic SI or Type R revealed at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, the all-new Civic Hatch Sport is an engaging and affordable way into a sporty Civic that doesn’t compromise on day-to-day practicality or comfort.
For more of our thoughts on the new Civic Hatch, take a look at our team review below!
