Towards the end of 2020, Honda was spotted driving a camouflaged test mule for the next-generation Civic sedan. Not long after, Honda revealed the Civic Prototype, a first look at the 2022 11th generation Civic model. Both the test mule and the prototype only previewed the sedan body style, but we know that a 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback is also coming. After the hatchback's design was leaked in some official patent images, our spy photographers have now given us a better look at the car in real life.

This is the first time we've spotted the Civic Hatchback out testing, and it was spied in Germany near Honda's European test center. Though the car is still wearing camouflage, it's easy to tell that it looks very close to the Civic Prototype with a different rear end.

Seeing the car in person, it's easy to tell that Honda will tone down the styling for this Civic generation. The 10th generation Civic was controversial for its outrageous styling, even in base guise without the Si or Type R upgrades. Honda hasn't specified what engines will sit under the hood of the next-generation Civic, though it's assumed that normally aspirated and turbocharged engines will continue to be available. This hatchback body style will eventually spawn a Type R model and with the coupe body style being discontinued for the eleventh generation, there's a possibility that Honda could offer a Civic Si Hatchback as well.

Unlike the last Civic Hatchback, which was built in the UK, this new model will likely be built in the United States. With around 20% of Civic sales, the hatchback is far less popular in the US market than the sedan, but it vastly outsold the now-discontinued coupe, which only accounted for 6% of Civic sales.

Expect the Civic Hatchback to make its official production debut sometime during the summer of 2021.