Properly, we now have a primary right here at Autoblog Baggage Take a look at HQ: the primary time I’ve finished the next-generation of a make/mannequin that is already been baggage examined. I do know, proper, very thrilling. So, for the primary time, I will be capable of report how a automobile compares with its speedy predecessor. As that is the Honda Civic hatchback, I can even present you the way it compares with the Honda Civic sedan and the mechanically associated Acura Integra. So. Many. Comparisons!
In brief, the Civic is a definitive instance of why you possibly can’t actually evaluate the cargo quantity figures of a sedan and a hatchback (or wagon, SUV or different hatchbacked automobile). The specs say the hatchback has 24.8 cubic-feet of area whereas the Civic sedan has 14.8, but as I am about to point out you, the sedan truly has extra space for holding luggage or no matter. That is already a phenomena I lined with the Integra and its 24.3-cubic-foot trunk. Apparently, that half a dice makes a distinction because it was certainly simpler to load luggage into the Civic hatch.
Prime Civic hatchback, backside left Civic sedan, backside proper Integra
Some key observations right here with this trio. The Civic sedan is 4 inches longer than the Civic hatchback, nearly all of which is behind the rear axle. This lends its trunk better size than the hatchback, which is extra helpful for stuffing in baggage. The Civic hatchback (and Integra) have extra top, which balloons the cubic-foot quantity, however does not actually present a lot assist on this take a look at since I do not pack to the roof for security, visibility and consistency causes.
In the event you decrease the again seats, it is a complete completely different ballgame, however I will get to that later.
Now, to the baggage. As in each baggage take a look at I do, I take advantage of two midsize curler suitcases that may must be checked in on the airport (26 inches lengthy, 16 huge, 11 deep), two roll-aboard suitcases that simply barely match within the overhead (24L x 15W x 10D), and one smaller roll-aboard that matches simply (23L x 15W x 10D). I additionally embody my spouse’s fancy in a single day bag simply to spruce issues up a bit (21L x 12W x 12D).
You may actually see the distinction in trunk size right here. Within the sedan (above proper), you possibly can match the small curler bag behind the 4 greatest luggage lined up. Positively cannot do this within the hatchback above left.
In brief, all the baggage slot in all of the vehicles (with some asterisks). It was a a lot simpler match within the sedan, although, and you’ll see that there is some further area on both aspect of the egg-crusher hinges. The luggage are very a lot squeezed into the hatchback with the flowery bag stacked on high. It was held in place by the top restraints, nevertheless, and did not impede visibility to a a lot better diploma than the fastened head restraints themselves. It was the same scenario within the Integra, nevertheless it was positively a tighter match with the flowery bag smushed and the necessity for the cargo cowl to be eliminated.
Talking of cargo covers …
Like its predecessor, the latest-generation Civic hatchback comes with a novel cargo cowl. It goes throughout the cargo cowl from left to proper inside an simply eliminated and saved cartridge. As such, I did not see the necessity to run this take a look at with and with out the cargo cowl in place as I usually do. In the event you received caught needing max cargo area and forgot to take away the cargo cowl, it would not matter in any respect.
I did, nevertheless, depart the second cargo cowl in place. Image above, backside proper, it fills within the hole between the cartridge cowl and the bottom of the again window. It didn’t impede loading by any means, however you may take away it should you wanted to or selected to.
The Integra mainly has one bigger inflexible cargo cowl of this selection, which once more, I wanted to take away in an effort to equal the variety of luggage saved in each Civics. Maintain it in place, and you will not solely be leaving a bag behind, however a kind of alongside for the experience dislodged the quilt from its latch level when the hatch was closed.
So, to wrap up the comparability bit, your order is: Civic sedan holds essentially the most baggage and does so simply adopted by the Civic hatchback after which the Integra. The gaps between them are all important.
OK, so now let’s actually increase this dialogue of the Civic hatchback’s cargo space …
You can’t stuff that big field up there in a Civic sedan, however as you clearly see, it did within the hatchback.
You see, the Jeep Grand Wagoneer L wasn’t the one take a look at automobile that assisted in my current transfer. I had an automatic-equipped and really blue Civic Touring a few month after the grey, manual-equipped one pictured above, and positively put it to good use.
Above left is a few baggage, a furnishings dolly atop one thing I do not bear in mind/cannot determine and a disassembled Little Tykes toddler playground. Above proper is medium-sized plastic bin, a house leisure sound bar and a complete metric crap ton of vacuum storage luggage full of garments. Not solely did all the above match within the Civic hatchback with the again seat lowered, the hatchback made it WAAAAAAAY simpler to load than it will’ve been within the sedan. And, as we have already seen, I loved extra space than I might’ve within the Integra.
So, with the again seat raised and when speaking about baggage, the sedan is king. The hatchback is significantly extra versatile, nevertheless, and I might argue that this versatility would doubtless be extra appreciated in the long term.
And wow, I nearly forgot: the way it compares to the last-generation Civic hatchback I examined in December 2019 in Kind R guise (and bear in mind, each new 2023 Civic Kind R is a hatchback as properly).
As you possibly can see, the Tetris formation was comparable, however the fancy luggage is way larger and nearer to the roof. It is near being disallowed by the Baggage Take a look at judges (me). This positively illustrates the two cubic-foot distinction between the final Civic hatchback and the brand new era.
So, to re-do the order once more: Civic sedan, Civic hatchback, outdated Civic hatchback, Integra.
There, the rest to cowl? No? OK, have a pleasant day. Yay Civics.
