The compact car segment has been narrowed down significantly, which somewhat lowers the bar in determining which of these last survivors is the best. Honda didn't take it that way. With the latest Civic, which first debuted for 2022, the Japanese brand went all out. The hatchback variant expands on that, both literally and figuratively, with a more spacious cabin than its sedan counterpart and closer connections to the Type R performance beast.

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The Hatchback Adds More Pizzazz

After criticism regarding the overstyled previous generation, Honda went down a more conventional road for the current Civic. The understated looks are an improvement, but there's no lasting impression that comes from its presence. Forunately, the hatchback offers a more stylish package than the sedan with its sloping silhouette and sportier rear fascia, features that are exclusive to this body style. Also, the legendary Honda Civic Type R is based on the hatchback variant, so having resemblance to such a car is a big advantage sedan buyers miss out on. Our tester came in a flashy bright blue paint job Honda calls Boost Blue Pearl, as well as black accessory wheels with fashionable white rims. For the record, this is a top-of-the-line Sport Touring model.

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Look, A Manual!

Aside from styling, what's something the hatchback has that the Type R also has? A six-speed manual. Sure, the Type R has an upgraded version to handle the higher output, but the mere fact that the Civic hatch offers a stick shift is a big deal when the manual's dreaded demise can be seen on the horizon. The hatchback is also the only regular Civic to offer the six-speed manual, as the sedan is stuck with a continuously variable transmission.

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Pros: Roomier than the sedan, decent fuel economy, there's a six-speed manual

The Interior Is Best In Class

We spend most of our time inside our cars, and the Civic's cabin is a great place to get behind the wheel. Our favorite part is the hexogonal mesh pattern that runs across the dash, with the air vents brilliantly concealed behind it. A simple array of controls is found just below the center of the mesh pattern, along with two USB ports above the center console. The center console itself features a very large storage bin behind the shifter knob, along with two cupholders. On top of the dash, there sits a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display (lower trims get a 7-inch unit) that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while a 10.2-inch digital instrument display is found in front of the driver. Wireless phone charging and a Bose premium sound system are limited to higher trims. However, while the cabin looks refined, we couldn't help but notice some unwanted noise finding its way inside.

Honda

Style Without Sacrifice

The hatchback is one of the few instances that style doesn't sacrifice space. Instead, we get more of it. The sedan already offers more cargo space than its predecessor, and the Civic hatchback one-ups that achievement with 25 cubic feet. And that's with the rear seats up. Meanwhile, the sedan only has 14 cubic feet of luggage space. The roomier nature of the hatchback's interior is also evident in the rear seat area. With a 1.4-inch increase in the wheelbase, the cabin has been elongated to match the sufficient rear seat space found in the sedan. The previous Civic hatchback, meanwhile, always fell short of its sedan counterpart.

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Cons: Top-end pricing can exceed Civic territory, no Si variant for the hatch, a bit too much cabin noise

The Sport Touring Gets The Peppier Engine

While most Civics are powered by a 158-hp 2.0 liter inline four, the most expensive Sport Touring uses a mightier 1.5 liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 180 hp. The model we tested had a more energetic driving demeanor than the lowlier Civics, and ticking off the no-cost six-speed manual in the options box made things even more fun. Shifting with the manual is precise, though the stick shift hatchback's 0-60 run misses the CVT sedan by a tenth of a second with a recorded 7.3 seconds. The Civic's ride quality manages to keep up with its adept handling, and playing hard on twistier roads reveals a level of composure we wouldn't expect for a compact car. While the regular Civic can keep its act together when pushed, those who want a little more fun can find it in the Si or Type R. The Si is the better one for everyday use, though it's limited to the sedan body style.

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Verdict: The Honda Civic hatchback covers a middle ground we never really knew we wanted. Now with more space, a simpler design, and a much nicer cabin than before, this want is turning into a must-have.