The 2017 Honda Civic Hatch will go on-sale here in May with prices for the entry-level VTi starting at $22,390+ORC.

THE 2017 HONDA CIVIC HATCH will arrive here in May with prices and spec mirroring those of the Civic sedan except for the RS variant, which lists $500 higher and adds a full lower body kit in Piano Black encompassing a front under spoiler, side skirts and rear under spoiler, plus dark chrome treatment for the exterior door handles.

“With the Honda Civic sedan laying a really strong foundation for our ‘One Civic’ plan during 2016, the arrival of the hatch bodystyle will ensure customers know the Honda Civic is well and truly back in the small car game,” Honda Australia Director, Stephen Collins said.

“Our target is to win the hearts and minds of private buyers with the all-new Honda Civic, and the sedan has certainly done that, achieving well over 20 per cent segment share since launch. So we expect private customers will put the Honda Civic hatch on their shopping list as well, as it’s an equally strong offering.”

The entry VTi starts at f $22,390+ORC, the VTi-S at $24,490; VTi-L at $27,790, the RS variant at $32,290 rising to $33,590 for the top-of-the-line VTi-LX.

“The development of the 10th generation Honda Civic was one of the most ambitious and comprehensive new model programs ever undertaken by Honda Motor Co. Ltd., with significant input from our local operation and dealer network” Collins said.

“We knew when we launched the Honda Civic sedan that our customers were waiting for a complete rejuvenation of the Civic brand and the early response from prospective Honda Civic hatch customers has been just as positive.

“So with the arrival of the Honda Civic hatch into dealerships over the coming weeks, customers will now have the choice of a sporty and dynamic hatch that is a perfect visual companion to the bold and successful Honda Civic sedan.”

The Honda Civic hatch shares its front-end styling and wheelbase with the sedan variant, but from the B-pillars rearwards, it is unique. Like the Honda Civic sedan, hatch customers have the choice of the all-new 1.5-litre VTEC turbo engine in VTi-L, RS and VTi-LX variants, which delivers the performance of a mid-size car with the fuel efficiency of a light car, or the proven 1.8-litre i-VTEC four-cylinder engine in VTi and VTi-S variants. Both engines are coupled to a CVT.

“The new Honda Civic sedan has been acclaimed for its ride, steering and overall quality, and the Honda Civic hatch lifts the bar again with a roomy cargo area, innovative adjustable luggage cover and the expected levels of Honda thoroughness when it comes to engineering, refinement and quality,” Collins said.