Honda gets plenty of attention for the more expensive versions of the popular Civic. The Civic Hybrid blends impressive fuel efficiency with spritely performance, the Civic Si is the legendary sport-tuned model with turbocharging and a manual gearbox, and the Civic Type R is a performance car favorite. However, historically, it has been the more affordable versions of the Honda Civic that have driven the car's success. They just do not get the same level of attention.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
To address that gap, I scheduled a week-long test drive of the 2026 Honda Civic Sedan Sport equipped with the standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Available in four-door sedan and five-door hatchback configurations, the 2026 Civic Sport is one step up from the base Civic LX and wears an appealingly affordable price tag.
Stripping the Hybrid, Si, and Type R out of the equation, the more basic Civic lineup is priced from $25,790 to $28,990, including the $1,195 destination charge. All other 2026 Civic models cost more than $30,000 with the destination charge.
For this 2026 Civic review, Honda provided a test vehicle equipped with the sedan body style, Sport trim, and no options. The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) was $27,790, including the $1,195 destination charge to ship the car from the Alliston, Ontario, Canada, assembly plant to a local dealership. Note that Honda builds the Civic Hatchback in Greensburg, Indiana.
The price does not reflect any current rebates, incentives, or price adjustments since Honda manufactured the test vehicle.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
The Honda Civic Sport looks appropriately sporty. Upgrades over the base LX trim level include gloss black 18-inch wheels, black mirror caps, and a chrome-tipped exhaust outlet. Inside, this version of the car has paddle shifters on the steering wheel, sport pedal covers, a black headliner, and red ambient lighting. The fabric-covered front seats also get a racy-looking stripe down the middle.
Those stylistic changes elevate the Civic Sport just enough to keep it from looking or feeling like a cheap, entry-level compact car. From the driver's seat, it seems anything but that. Dual 7-inch digital displays, quality materials, and remarkably upscale detailing make the car seem more expensive than it is.
Additionally, the seat fabric is soft while still conveying durability. However, the front seats could be improved. They are comfortable enough, but they lack thigh support and, for taller people, seat-track travel. The Civic is a relatively roomy car for its class, but it does not seem that way if your legs are long. Plus, the Civic's wide center console, which offers plenty of storage space and sizable cupholders, is finished in hard plastic that is unkind to legs resting against it.
Unexpectedly, if you are tall, you might be more comfortable riding in the Civic's back seat. Here, the seat cushions are longer, providing more leg support, and the softly padded front seatbacks are more agreeable than the hard plastics in the front. However, Honda does not offer rear air conditioning vents or USB charging ports to the people riding in the back seat, and the storage spots are not as generous.
The Civic's trunk is sizable. It measures 14.8 cubic feet, which is almost as much as you get with midsize cars like the Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry. I was able to load a full-size suitcase lying on its side, and theoretically could fit three of them in with room left over for a duffel bag and a couple of backpacks. Thoughtfully, Honda equips the Civic with a temporary spare tire. However, there is no handle on the inside of the trunk lid, so your fingertips will get dirty when closing it.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
The Honda Civic LX and Sport trims have a basic infotainment system with a 7-inch color touchscreen. Standard features include:
That is a short list of features, and if you do not pair your smartphone to the Bluetooth connection and plug it in to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, the Civic's technology is not very useful. Fortunately, those two integrations can transform this infotainment system into one that gives you everything you really need (navigation, a digital assistant, access to apps) and nothing you do not.
As a pleasant surprise, Honda provides physical knobs for stereo volume and radio tuning. It remains a mystery to me why car companies quit offering both, because they are so easy to use without looking away from the road. Not only that, but they also give the interior pleasing symmetry and balance.
When you choose the Civic Sport, you get a 180-watt, eight-speaker stereo, which is a significant improvement over the base LX trim level's 160-watt four-speaker setup. It sounds decent, especially for a car priced under $30,000.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
Honda equips the 2026 Civic LX and Sport with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, a CVT, and front-wheel drive. Output measures 150 horsepower and 133 pound-feet of torque, which means acceleration is merely adequate. The Civic Sport does add a Sport mode, though, and paddle shifters give the driver more control over the CVT's programmed ratios. All-wheel drive is unavailable.
Those unimpressive specs suggest a Civic is equally unimpressive to drive, but that is not the case. Yes, it is slower than preferable, especially when quickly getting up to speed is critical, such as when entering a multi-lane suburban boulevard, merging onto a freeway, or passing slower cars on a two-lane road. In those situations, leave yourself a lot of extra room.
With that said, during a typical commute or when running errands around town, the Civic Sport's powertrain is agreeable. Part-throttle acceleration is satisfying, the CVT drones in a muted manner if it drones at all, and you will enjoy decent fuel economy. My test car was rated to return 34 mpg in combined driving, and I observed 31.9 on my mountainous Southern California testing loop.
Where the Civic's driving dynamics shine brightest is in the ride and handling. This car can slice and dice through traffic with confidence and rip down a canyon road with delight. Even if it feels a little soft, Honda seems to be leaving room to tune the Civic Si for greater athleticism, this car is utterly balanced, predictable, and trustworthy. While it is not fast, it sure can be fun.
The exception would be when road tripping on pavement with a coarse surface. The road noise is deafening, and in combination with the dissatisfying driver's seat, makes an otherwise excellent car less appealing.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
Honda groups the Civic's standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in a package called Honda Sensing. It includes:
When you upgrade to Sport trim, Honda Sensing adds:
The Civic's technology works as it should, though I experienced some frustration. For example, I prefer a steering wheel vibration to signal a lane-departure warning instead of Honda's steering wheel wobble. Also, using the lane centering assistance without the ACC can make it feel like the driver is fighting with the technology when overriding the automated inputs.
Additionally, the ACC lacks refinement and sophistication. When traveling in moderate to heavy traffic, it responds to changing traffic conditions too abruptly and can contribute to unnecessary traffic flow problems.
For example, if another car cuts into the gap ahead of the Honda, the ACC system will prioritize maintenance of the following distance over smooth driving. Where a driver would simply let up on the accelerator and allow the Civic to coast to a slower speed in this scenario, the tech actively brakes the car, often unnecessarily. In turn, that causes the vehicle behind the Civic to brake, starting a chain reaction of unnecessary braking. This behavior makes it hard to use the traffic jam assistance feature without irritating your fellow motorists.
If a collision occurs, the crash-test results from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) suggest the Civic will do a good job of protecting its occupants. It earns top five-star ratings in nearly every individual assessment, except for a four-star rating for the front passenger in a frontal impact crash.
As of this writing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not rated the 2026 Civic for safety.
According to the JD Power 2025 Initial Quality Study (IQS), the Nissan Sentra ranks highest in the Compact Car segment. The Kia K4 and the Hyundai Elantra are the next highest-ranked models.
According to the JD Power 2025 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, the Kia K4 ranks highest in the Compact Car segment. The Honda Civic and the Hyundai Elantra are the next highest-ranked models.
Other 2026 Civic competitors include the Mazda Mazda3, Subaru Impreza, and Toyota Corolla.
According to verified owners, the Civic earns an award as the highest-ranked model in its segment in the 2025 ALG Residual Value Awards.
Designed and engineered to provide efficient transportation for people on tight budgets, compact cars are not supposed to be fun or flashy. The 2026 Civic Sport is a turbocharger away from being one of the best small sedans to drive, and it checks the boxes regarding basic technology. Add a nice price, decent fuel economy, favorable crash test ratings, and enough room for four people and their luggage, and it is a compelling choice in the segment.
Christian Wardlaw is a veteran automotive journalist with 30 years of experience in the field and has held automotive editorial leadership positions at Edmunds, JD Power, and The New York Daily News. Today, Chris owns a content agency called Speedy Daddy Media, and in addition to JDPower.com, his work appears on Capital One Auto Navigator, CarGurus, and Edmunds.
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