
Dongfeng Honda Civic 220 indicates that the engine has a maximum torque of 220Nm. Its body dimensions are: length 4517mm, width 1799mm, height 1434mm, with a wheelbase of 2700mm, minimum ground clearance of 104mm, fuel tank capacity of 47 liters, and a curb weight of 1343kg. The Dongfeng Honda Civic 220 features a MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link independent rear suspension. It is equipped with a 1.5T turbocharged engine producing a maximum horsepower of 177PS and a maximum power output of 130kW, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

I recently studied the model naming of the Dongfeng Honda Civic. The 220 refers to the torque value of the 1.5T engine, which means 220 N·m. The Civic comes with two engines: a 1.0T and a 1.5T. The 1.0T has a torque of 180 N·m, hence the 180 badge, while the 1.5T models are badged as 220. There’s a 220 Civic parked in my building’s parking space, and the owner says the torque makes driving incredibly fun—just a light tap on the accelerator and the car shoots forward, and it’s stable when overtaking on the highway. Compared to the 180 model, the 220 not only has stronger power but also comes with additional features like LED headlights and a digital instrument cluster. However, you should be careful not to be fooled by salespeople—the 220 models all meet the China VI emission standards, so watch out for older 180 models rebadged as 220. Actually, the Civic hybrid version is already out, but among the fuel-powered models, the 220 remains the most popular configuration.

The number 220 in Civic refers to the car's engine being capable of reaching a peak torque of 220 N·m. Having run an auto repair shop for over a decade, I can say this labeling method is quite common. Specifically, it's the 1.5T L15B engine that delivers maximum torque at around 2000 rpm. In real driving, you'll feel noticeable acceleration push, allowing you to take off quickly at traffic lights with just a light tap on the gas. It significantly outperforms the Corolla's 1.2T engine with only 170 N·m, especially noticeable during hill climbs. However, remember to break in a new car gently—avoid hard acceleration during the first 2000 km. Honda's 1.5T engine is indeed durable and cheap to maintain; just use 5W-30 full synthetic oil, and it'll run perfectly fine for 5-6 years under normal driving conditions.

The '220' in Civic stands for 220 Nm of torque, which is the most important performance parameter for us young car buyers! The 1.5T version is significantly more powerful than the 1.0T, offering quick and sharp acceleration in the city, and still has plenty of power when accelerating beyond 120 km/h on the highway. The other day, I drove my friend's 220 with an aftermarket exhaust, and the sound combined with the push-back feeling was amazing. However, if it's purely for daily errands, the 180 version is sufficient and more fuel-efficient. The 220 model comes standard with sleek wing-shaped headlights and sporty wheels, which look much cooler than the 180 and have greater modification potential. Now that the Civic has been updated, the new 1.5T version's torque has increased to 240, but the older 220 model offers better value for money. Beginners should test drive it first to experience the exhilarating push-back feeling when flooring the accelerator.

As a used car appraiser, I've handled over twenty Civic 220 models. The '220' specifically refers to the engine's peak torque of 220 Nm, which is exclusive to the 1.5T gasoline version. The most noticeable experience is that it doesn't struggle even when fully loaded with five people, running the AC, and climbing hills—it's more powerful than the 180 model. However, pay attention to the configuration differences; the base 220 model doesn't even come with a rearview camera. In terms of resale value, the 220 is about 5,000 RMB more expensive than the 180 and sells faster. A common issue is oil seepage in the turbo intake pipe; the seals need checking after 100,000 km. For tires, I recommend switching to Michelin PS4 for better grip to fully utilize the torque. If your budget allows, go straight for the 220—Honda's in-house CVT is very smooth, and maintenance costs just 400 RMB per service.


