With Honda ditching the sedan version of the Civic in Japan, it’s going all out with just two variants of the five-door hatchback less than two months after its global debut last June. Both are powered by a 182-horsepower, 240 Nm of torque 1.5-liter VTEC Turbo engine which gives it the same output as a normally-aspirated 2.4-liter engine. The CVT gearbox, according to Honda, contains preset virtual gears for the same feel as a conventional automatic. Better still, for those who want a three-pedal version, a 6-speed manual is available.

The carmaker has also confirmed that a two-motor e:HEV hybrid system is in the works, and a hotter Type R version based on the hatchback is due in 2022.

Compared to the previous Civic Hatchback (which the Philippines didn’t get despite continuous clamor), the 2022 Civic Hatchback is longer by 30 mm (4,550 mm) with a wheelbase that’s stretched by 35 mm (2,735 mm). Overall height has been reduced by 20 mm (1,415 mm), while the rear overhang is shorter by 20 mm. Curiously, the front overhang is now longer by 15 mm, and together with its 126 mm ground clearance, could potentially mean being more prone to “sayad.” At each corner are 18-inch wheels shod with 235/40R18 tires.

Honda is very proud of the all-new Civic’s interior, dedicating twice the number of presentation slides compared to its exterior design. For example, the mesh-type paneling has enabled Honda engineers to increase the amount of play the AC vents have (up 12 more degrees, and down 21 more degrees), while the arm rest bin now contains a spring mechanism that pops it up by 60 degrees with a simple button press, revealing a 4.4-liter storage space. The biggest change over the ASEAN version is the availability of a 12-speaker Bose sound system—a first for the Civic line.

In terms of safety, Honda Sensing is standard in Japan too, but it is differentiated by being a more advanced system. Using a wider view monocular camera, the Japanese market version adds adaptive LED headlights (a Honda first) as well as false-start acceleration suppression (aka anti-SUA) for both front and back along with collision mitigation braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, road departure warning, automatic high beam, and lead car departure notification.

As for the price, well, the added standard features don’t seem to affect the Civic’s price at all. A total of three variants are available with the base LX (halogen headlights, cloth seats, etc) starting at 3,190,000 yen (P 1.465 million), while the 6-speed MT top-of-the-line EX starts at exactly the same price with the CVT-equipped version going up to 3,539,800 yen (P 1.62 million). These prices are comparable, if not slightly cheaper, than the Thailand version which has far less equipment and less power.

Of course, product planners over at Honda Thailand (and by extension, Honda Cars Philippines) can still make amends. The Civic Hatchback still hasn’t been launched for the region, and they still can opt to bump up the specs a little bit (without straying too far off the price of the sedan) when the five-door eventually launches for the region. As for the Philippines, here is hoping that they do really consider bringing in the Civic Hatchback this time around; after all, they have done the same with the City Hatchback.