Return Of The Honda Civic Hatchback

The very last example of the Honda Civic hatchback to be sold on our shores came out 10 years ago. The Civic SiR (EP3) was the last North American Civic with a hatch. According to some sources close to Honda, this body style is set to make a triumphant return to our market, and would be built in the same assembly plant as the Euro-R.

Since the current model was last refreshed in 2011, the hatchback Civic would arrive with a refresh of the vehicle. While this Civic has been sold in Europe for a few years now, it is only available as a 5-door. Could a sportier 3-door version be planned for sale here?

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In addition to the European version of the Civic Type R, which we spotted undergoing tests in America last autumn, we know that in the coming years the turbocharged 2-litre Honda engine will be installed under the hood of some vehicles already sold here. An eventual hatchback Civic with such an engine could be the R version we are clamoring for.

With the coming of the Focus RS and the seventh-generation Golf R, Honda has to offer a world-class sport compact vehicle if it wants to stay in the game.