New Honda Civic hatch 2020 pricing and specs detailed: Facelift increases cost of entry

Excluding the Type R performance flagship, all Civic hatch variants are mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Honda Australia has released pricing and some specification details for its facelifted Civic small hatch, which is now in showrooms.

While the Civic hatch’s full-time five-variant non-performance range carries over, it is more expensive in facelifted form, mainly due to the addition of more standard equipment.

Specifically, the VTi now kicks off proceedings at $22,790 plus on-road costs (+$400), while the VTi-S checks in at $24,990 (+$500). Both variants are motivated by a 104kW/174Nm 1.8-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine.

Honda Civic 2019 sedan pricing and specs revealed

Further up in the range, the VTi-L has gone up $600 to $28,390, while the RS has copped the largest price rise, jumping $1250 to $33,540. The VTi-LX flagship is now $500 dearer, at $34,090. All three variants are powered by a 127kW/220Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol unit.

Upgrades-wise, the VTi-S now has rear privacy glass as standard, while high-beam assist has been added to the VTi-L, RS and VTi-LX.

The RS features a redesigned rear diffuser that looks suitably sporty.

However, the big news is the addition of Honda’s full suite of advanced driver-assist systems to the VTi-L and RS, with it previously the reserve of the VTi-LX.

As such, the duo’s active safety features now include autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep and steering assist, and adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality.

As reported, the facelifted version of the Toyota Corolla rival can be identified by its redesigned front grille and tweaked bumpers, which incorporate body-colour accents in their lower sections. The RS goes a step further with a fresh rear diffuser.

Additionally, the VTi and VTi-S both come with redesigned alloys, while the VTi-L now has a dark-grey finish for its 17-inch rims.

The RS rolls on a fresh set of 18-inch alloy wheels fitted with wider (235/40) Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres, with Honda Australia promising “improved grip and more responsive handling”, while the VTi-LX has inherited the old rim design but spruced it up with a dark-grey finish.

Honda has responded to feedback and added physical shortcut buttons for the Civic's multimedia system.

Ignite Red metallic is a new exterior colour option for all variants, while a Phoenix Orange pearlescent hue is exclusive to the RS. Conversely, all other variants can now be had with Taffeta White flat paintwork.

Inside, physical buttons for have been added to the centre stack to improve usability of commonly used multimedia functions, including audio and telephone. A dedicated volume control knob has also been introduced.

New Honda Civic Type R 2020 detailed: Upgraded brakes and suspension for Hyundai i30 N rival

Other changes include chequered seat inserts (excluding VTi and RS), red seat stitching (RS only) and dashboard trims with a geometric embossed finish, among others.

Pricing and specification details for the Honda Civic hatch’s performance flagship, the Type R, will be released closer to its expected launch later this year.