The 2022 Honda Civic made its debut earlier this year and with it came a new look inside and out in addition to a bevy of new features. One of those new features happens to be a Bose premium audio system, which might not sound like news to you, but it’s monumental when it comes to Honda’s vehicles. Fortunately, I have the 2022 Civic Touring for a week and I can attest that its upgraded sound is definitely worth a listen.

Only the 2022 Honda Civic Touring benefits from the Bose sound

If you find yourself in the market for a new Honda Civic and would like the benefit of an upgraded sound system, then you’ll have to opt for the top-trim Touring model. Aside from the Bose system, you’ll also get features like wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, a leather interior, and a wireless phone charging dock. In case you have been shopping for cars in the past couple of years, you’ll know that those features can usually be found on up-market luxury cars as opposed to more plebian commuters like the Civic.

Opulence aside, the Bose sound system ups the Civic’s auditory ante by offering a high-performance 12-speaker setup with Centerpoint and SurroundStage technologies. According to Bose, the SurroundStage technology “puts every listener in the center of the music, no matter where they are sitting” as every speaker ensures a “rich and immersive audio experience.” Of course, that’s technical speak for “the system sounds really good in every seat,” and I can surely attest to that.

Bose tuned out the road noise

After spending some time with the Civic Touring and playing around with the audio system, I can tell you that it’s worth the upgrade. So far, every song I’ve played on it — whether it be through Bluetooth or Apple Carplay – all sound very clear. I can finally make out of the highs and lows in every tune and if you’re familiar with Bose, then you know that there’s plenty of bass to go with it.

I have tested out the audio systems on many different cars including the JBL premium sound system that’s available in most Toyota models. I’ve always enjoyed the clear sound that JBL sound system produces in addition to the crisp bass, however, this Bose system in the new Civic sounds just as good, if not better. And while I could mess around with the equalizer to get more out of the audio system, I found that it wasn’t really necessary with the Bose system.

Up until now, Honda mainly installed its own audio systems into its vehicles, which typically consists of four or eight speakers and a 160- or 180-watt sound system. In case you’re not an audiophile, that’s a pretty low wattage rating. And if you ever listened to a sound system in almost any Honda product over the past few years, then you know how bad they can sound. Fortunately, this new Bose system will breathe new life into an area where the Honda Civic was lacking.

The new Bose system could make the Civic more competitive

Honda partnering with Bose on the Civic Touring’s new audio system is beneficial to car buyers, but it’s also beneficial for the automaker as well. Nissan partnered with Bose for the upgraded sound system on the Sentra and Toyota partnered with JBL for the Corolla. Now, Honda has some extra skin in the game as the 2022 Civic is a far better competitor than its predecessors.