Honda Civic Hatchbacks? Not in North America

 

North American Honda car afficionados who have set their sights on Honda Civic Hatchbacks (some even have started looking at car insurance policies for the said make) are in for a disappointment - the newest Honda Civic Hatchbacks won't be coming to North America.

Among fans of the Honda Civic, which was first introduced to North America as a hatchback in 1972, there's little dispute that the fifth generation of the popular compact car was the model's heyday. After all, the gen five Civics (produced from 1992 – 1995)  had finally shed the last vestiges of the original boxy appearance, in favor of a more aerodynamic style, and included the Si model, which (in its American version) featured a VTEC valve train.

But what about more recent Honda Civic Hatchbacks? How do they compare to the fifth generation vehicles, which were the most fuel-efficient of their time? Here's a brief overview:

Generation Six (1996-2002)

With overall updates to the interior and exterior design, the sixth generation Civic wasn't really all that different from its immediate predecessor, just somewhat more refined. In the United States, this would be the last generation to feature hatchbacks below the Si model, while elsewhere in the world, two wagons would be introduced: the Orthia in Japan, and the Domani in Europe. This generation of Civic would become the model of choice for street racers.

Generation Seven (September 2003 – September 2005)

Initially unveiled three years earlier, in September 2000, the seventh generation of the Honda Civic hatchbacks only saw limited play in the United States, where sedans and coupes were popular, but three- and five-door cars were not. The Si was offered as a three-door here, while the rest of the world saw both styles of hatchback across the line. In almost all cases, however, these hatchbacks (and their Civic sedan and coupe brethren) had more interior room because the floors were now flat. The Type-R, never sold in the U.S., was also offered as a hatchback (three-door) with an i-VTEC motor, in Japan.

The 2005 model year was the last time Civic hatchbacks were offered in the United States.

Generation Eight (2006 – Present)

Beginning in September, 2005, the Civic model was split into two different platforms: one for Japan and North America and the other for the European Market – the latter using the suspension system from the Honda FIT.

As of 2006, and the North American introduction of the FIT, Civic hatchbacks are no longer produced for the North American market or Japan, though the European version of the Civic still comes in both three- and five-door versions.  It's interesting that the hatchback was dropped in all of North America, though, since even when the design lost popularity in the U.S. it remained popular in Canada.

The 2009 Civic features some cosmetic changes – a sleeker more modern style, and more interior amenities, but still doesn't come in a hatchback style in the United States or Canada. As of this generation, the Civic in general is no longer Honda's entry level car, now being quoted at $16,205, resulting in a higher monthly payment if you check an auto loan calculator before financing.  The entry level designation is now bestowed on the hatchback FIT (which was originally based on a Civic platform) – though as of this year (2008) it is the most frequently sold car in the United States, supplanting the Ford F-150.

Civic in the Future

Going forward, Honda's plans for the Civic are to push the sedan and coupe versions of the car, and continue with hybrid development, though a hybrid hatchback Civic has been announced for the European market for 2010. For over a year, there have also been rumors that the Type R will arrive in the United States in 2010 as well, but those rumors are unsubstantiated. In the meantime, American drivers who want Honda hatchbacks have two options: grey market imports, or the Honda FIT.