If there’s one aspect of the 2016 Honda Civic we dislike, it’s Honda’s decision not to offer a manual transmission with its sweet new 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Fortunately, that issue goes away with the introduction of the 2017 Honda Civic hatchback.
Unlike the 2016 Honda Civic sedan and coupe, which come standard with the company’s likable enough naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the new Civic hatch benefits from a turbocharged-only engine lineup.
Starting at $20,535, the base Civic LX hatch includes a standard six-speed manual transmission connected to Honda’s 1.5-liter turbo four-banger that produces 174 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 167 lb-ft of torque at 1800 rpm. Those who prefer to have their car do the shifting for them can add a continuously variable transmission for $800. Doing so results in peak power coming on 500 rpm later and peak torque falling to 162 lb-ft at 1700 rpm. No matter the transmission, though, Civic LX hatch consumers can look forward to enjoying features including automatic climate control , steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, and 26 cubic feet of cargo space behind the car’s 60/40 split-folding rear seat.
While the EPA has yet to release fuel-economy figures for the Civic hatch, Honda estimates the model will achieve 30 mpg city and 39 mpg highway with the manual transmission and 31/40 mpg with the CVT?2 mpg worse on the highway than a 2016 Honda Civic sedan equipped...