2019 Honda Civic hatchback and Type R get new infotainment and colors

Honda has some updates for the 2019 Civic line. There are interior and infotainment improvements for both the regular Civic Hatchback and the fire-breathing Type R version, and the latter gets a new color.

The cars get a new Display Audio system now featuring physical buttons and a volume knob to rectify earlier complaints – dual zone climate control models also get physical buttons for the HVAC system's fan speed control. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard from the EX trim level upwards. The audio system's voice recognition has also been honed, says Honda, and the electric parking brake has a light to indicate engagement. The steering wheel mounted controls have been redesigned to make them easier to operate, and notably, the cup holders are now bigger.

For 2019, the Honda Sensing safety and driver assistance suite is standard on all trim levels. It includes automatic braking, forward collision warning, lane keeping assist along with road departure mitigation and lane departure warning, plus adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow.

The 306-horsepower Civic Type R gets the aforementioned changes, and is now available with a new Sonic Grey Pearl color. The base Hatchback LX starts from $22,345 with a continuously variable automatic transmission, Sport from $23,145 with a 6-speed manual, EX from $24,645 and the range-topping hatchback is the $29,645 Sport Touring. At the base end, that represents a pretty big increase of $1,300 over the 2018 model, which came standard with a 6-speed manual. The rest of the line sees a smaller $500 increase (all prices include destination charges).

The Type R is available from $36,595. That's a $1,000 price increase over last year.