Honda Civic hatch updated for 2020

The 2020 Honda Civic lands in Aussie showrooms today, sporting a subtle new exterior design and new safety features for mid-spec models.

The upgrades are not free, however, with all models rising in price by between $400 and $1250 depending on the model.

Mirroring the changes made to the Honda Civic sedan in early 2019, the mid-spec VTi-L and RS models now come with adaptive cruise control, automatically-dipping high-beam headlights, autonomous emergency braking and lane-keep assist – but prices are up by $600 and $1250 respectively.

These safety features were previously only offered on the top-spec Civic VTi-LX.

Honda does not offer the advanced safety features as an option for entry-level model grades VTi and VTi-S.

All models get reworked wheel designs, restyled front and rear bumpers and an updated grille to give them a fresh appearance, while the interiors of the Civic hatches benefit from a new instrument panel and a dedicated volume control dial for the infotainment system.

Previously it was a touch-based slider.

Honda Civic VTi-S model grades and above also add chequered-accent seat trims and tinted rear windows, while the Civic RS gets read stitching on the seats.

All models offer five doors, five seats, electric windows and mirrors, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality plus Aux, USB and HDMI inputs and a 414-litre boot capacity.

An electric park brake, reversing camera, LED daytime running lights and an automatic transmission (CVT) are also standard across the range.

Honda has made no changes to the two four-cylinder petrol engines available. The entry-level Civic VTi and VTI-S get a 104kW/174Nm 1.8-litre and a stronger (127kW/220Nm) 1.5-litre turbo-petrol unit is found in the Civic VTi-L, RS and VTi-LX.

Claimed fuel economy ranges between 6.1 and 6.4L/100km depending on the model, with CO2 outputs spanning 142 to 150g/km.

Honda now offers a new colour for all model grades, Ignite Red metallic. Taffeta White flat paint is offered on all grades except the RS but that model now gets an exclusive hero colour, pearlescent Phoenix Orange.

Despite the $1250 price hike for the Honda Civic RS, from $32,990 to $33,540, Honda Australia's managing director Stephen Collins says he is "…confident Honda Sensing will provide them [customers] with a system that is both intuitive and effective, and at an affordable price point for Honda customers".

Honda Australia will be keen to see the fresh-faced Civic in showrooms, with sales of the small car (hatch and sedan combined) down almost 22 per cent in 2019. Annual sales in 2018 were 13,470, dropping to 10,531 in 2019.

The Civic was outsold by five other small cars in 2019, including the segment-leading Toyota Corolla (30,468) and the Hyundai i30 (28,378), Mazda3 (24,939), Kia Cerato (21,757) and even the Volkswagen Golf (14,355).

The Civic is nevertheless an important model in Honda Australia's portfolio -- its third best-selling model, just behind the HR-V small SUV and CR-V medium SUV.

Honda Sensing is now offered on a range of Honda vehicles powered by its 1.5-litre engine, such as the new Accord and CR-V VTi-S AWD and also the Civic sedan.

The updated Civic range will be topped off by the arrival of a facelifted version of the banzai Honda Civic Type R later in 2020, which gets upgraded brakes and suspension among other things.