2026 Honda Civic Expert Review
Reviewed by Billy Rehbock
Few cars offer the spectrum of possibilities that makes the 2026 Honda Civic lineup so diverse. Offered in sedan and hatchback body styles, the Honda Civic comes as an affordable commuter car, a frugal and fun hybrid, and as a driver’s car with a manual transmission.
Honda just overhauled its compact car with a midcycle refresh for 2025, so we aren’t expecting many changes for the 2026 Civic. Rivals include the Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra, and Mazda 3.
Get more info on the Civic Hybrid here.
What’s New
We don't expect major changes on the 2026 Honda Civic. Originally making its debut for the 2022 model year, the Honda Civic received a midcycle refresh for 2025. Here are the changes Honda made for last year's model:
Performance:
- A new 2.0-liter engine became standard, trading some power for improved efficiency compared to the unit it replaces.
- Honda discontinued the more powerful 1.5-liter turbocharged engine in favor of a new Civic Hybrid, which is both more powerful and efficient.
- New-for-2025 Hybrid models receive a noise reduction package, body-colored headlight garnish, a paint-matching lower spoiler, and a reworked interior with gray color scheme.
Tech:
- USB-C ports became standard for the front row
- Higher-end models offer available Google built-in infotainment tech
Style:
- Honda revised the car's front fascia, restyled the taillights with a darkened look, and added a slew of new paint colors.
- The Civic Sport and Sport Touring got new wheel styles
This page will be updated with more insights and photos as information becomes available.
What We Think
Shoppers in the market for a compact should consider the 2026 Honda Civic, one of the most well-rounded sedans and hatchbacks currently available. We aren’t expecting much to change after a major refresh for 2025, but that’s a good thing.
Entry-level models serve as the foundation for the Civic sedan and hatchback range. Refined handling and composed ride quality are Civic hallmarks, and you’ll find those traits present across the entire lineup, including those using the frugal 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine Honda introduced for 2025. Build quality and value are strong, even for the lower-end LX and Sport trims.
There are some downsides to the non-hybrid Civic, however, as its engine sacrifices power for efficiency. Additionally, these entry-level models have small screens and mediocre backup camera picture quality.
Next up the range is the Honda Civic Hybrid, which was just introduced for 2025. This powertrain replaced the 1.5-liter turbocharged mill offered as an upgrade for 2024 models. Smooth, strong acceleration mixed with engaging handling make this one of the best Civics ever.
The Civic Hybrid suffers from similar issues as the gas-only sedan and hatch, but refinement improves by a decent margin. Honda found a way to add both power and efficiency to the higher-end Civic variants, and for that we have to give the automaker credit.
Sporty Civics
We’re also fond of the sportier Honda models in the Civic lineup. The manual-only Si is a true enthusiast car. The Si isn't the quickest enthusiast car around, but it's still lots of fun to drive.
At the top of the range is the venerated Honda Civic Type R, which produces tremendous power and hangs onto corners with incredible grip. Like the Si, some acceleration is left on the table in favor of stick-shift satisfaction. It may not be quicker around a racetrack than its predecessor, but this Type R provides a better balance of everyday usability.
There’s a Honda Civic for a wide range of budgets, purposes, and tastes. The compact car isn’t perfect, but its long list of merits vastly outshine its limited shortcomings.
Performance
Honda is expected to continue offering the 2026 Civic with an entry-level 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine developing 150 hp and 133 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a CVT automatic.
Acceleration from 0-60 mph takes a lackadaisical 9.6 seconds according to our test figures. In our testing, the Toyota Corolla hits 60 in 8.1 seconds while the Hyundai Elantra crosses the line in 8.4 seconds.
Honda situates the Civic Hybrid above the standard model in terms of performance, efficiency, and features. A four-cylinder gas engine works with two compact electric motors to develop a total of 200 hp and 232 lb-ft of torque. The sprint from 0-60 mph takes just 6.1 seconds, making this the quickest Civic variant outside of the Type R.
Compare that to the hybrid versions of the Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Corolla, and you start to see how the Honda is almost in a class of its own. The Hyundai reaches 60 in 8.7 seconds in our testing while the Toyota manages a 9.7-second sprint. One note: The Toyota we tested had the Corolla Hybrid's available AWD system, something the Hyundai and Honda don't offer.
MPGs
EPA figures should carry over into 2026, so expect the 2026 Civic to continue to return 30-32/38-41 mpg city/highway depending on body style and trim.
The Civic Hybrid is the most efficient model in the range, rated at 50/45-47 mpg city/highway.
The Sporty Si
We expect Honda will continue to offer two enthusiast variants of the Civic for 2026. The more affordable model will likely continue to be the Civic Si, which is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine developing 200 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. In our testing, the Si launched from 0-60 mph in 7.0 seconds. Rated at 27/37 mpg city/highway, the Civic Si is efficient for a sporty runabout.
We expect the 2026 Civic Si to continue to beckon to enthusiasts with eye-catching accents including a gloss-black decklid spoiler, 18-inch matte-black wheels, and Si badging.
Inside the cabin, Honda equips the Si’s signature red and black sats, red stitching, and a model-specific version of the Civic’s honeycomb dashboard grate. A standard limited-slip differential, a sport-tuned suspension, and LED shift light indicators integrated into the instrument cluster complete the Civic Si’s sporty package. The Civic Si is offered exclusively as a sedan.
The Racy Type R
At the top of the Civic’s model range sits the motorsports-inspired Type R. Its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine pumps out 315 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, with power routed to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. Acceleration to 60 mph from a standstill takes just 5.3 seconds. The Civic Type R is relatively efficient for a performance hot hatch, receiving a rating of 22/28 mpg city/highway from the EPA.
Honda outfits the Civic Type R with adaptive dampers, which provide active ride control and allow the driver to customize the suspension’s responsiveness to their taste. Like the Si, the Type R uses a limited-slip differential.
Other features exclusive to the Type R include:
- A three-tip exhaust
- Brembo front brakes
- Functional exterior aero accents
- A large rear wing
- 19-inch matte-black wheels
- Type R badging
Inside the cabin, there’s a digital instrument cluster with separate LED shift lights, red sport seats, metal and rubber sport pedals, a serial plate, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. A Honda LogR data logger serves as live telemetry and provides post-drive feedback.
Safety Ratings and Features
Expect the 2026 Honda Civic to continue the compact car’s excellent safety track record. The Civic Hatch earns a 2025 IIHS Top Safety Pick+, the highest accolade the organization offers. Sedans earn a 2025 Top Safety Pick (without the plus), still a good rating for such an affordable car. NHTSA grants five stars overall, with four stars given for frontal crash, five stars for side crash, and five stars for rollover.
We anticipate the return of the Honda Sensing safety suite, which includes:
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane keeping assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Automatic high-beams
- Traffic sign recognition
Every Civic should also receive blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Parking sensors are expected to be exclusive to the Sport Touring Hybrid trim, which is situated at the top of the Civic range.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
The 2026 Honda Civic's interior dimensions stay the same for 2026, meaning its second-row legroom stacks up favorably against the Mazda 3 and the Toyota Corolla. Cargo space is also better than that of its rivals.
Technology
The 2026 Honda Civic’s tech offerings should remain consistent with those of the previous model year. That means that the lower trim levels will receive a smaller 7.0-inch display for both the gauge cluster and infotainment touchscreen. Stepping up to higher trims equips a 10.2-inch cluster upgrade and 9.0-inch touchscreen. Si and Type R models also should receive those same larger screens. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are expected to remain standard.
Sport Touring Hybrid versions of the Civic are anticipated to once more receive Google Built-in apps, Google Assistant voice commands, and a 12-speaker audio setup from Bose. Other available tech will include a wireless phone charger, heated power front seats, and rain-sensing wipers remain available features.
2026 Honda Civic Body Styles and Trim Levels
The Honda Civic sedan should return with four trims: LX, Sport, Sport Hybrid, and Sport Touring Hybrid. The hatchback serves a slightly smaller market and likely comes back in three trims: Sport, Sport Hybrid, and Sport Touring Hybrid. As for performance variants, the Civic Si is sedan only while the Civic Type R is only offered as a hatchback.
