2025 Civic Adds Assertive Hybrid, Subtracts Manual Transmission

The mid-cycle refresh for the eleventh generation Honda Civic, which debuted in 2022, has just been released. It sports a more aggressively styled front bumper, tweaked tail lights, and a new hybrid powertrain in the Sport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid trim levels. The hybrid has a combined 200 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque thanks to a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four cylinder paired with two electric motors. The result is the most powerful Civic ever, aside from the range-topping Type-R.

The hybrid powertrain is mated to a CVT transmission that provides “vehicle speed-linked rev feel typically associated with a conventional drivetrain shifting gears under acceleration.” Further reading between the lines yields the bigger news: The Civic’s manual transmission, once available in the Sport and Sport Touring trim levels, is no longer available.

The manual, a mainstay in Civics since their inception, will likely still be present in the forthcoming Si and Type R (we can’t imagine the latter without one). And value is still in the Civic’s equation: The cheaper LX and Sport trim levels remain, powered by a 158-horse, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and no battery-electric motivators. The simple, ICE-only powertrain is a clear play to keep costs down and retain its younger audience with an attractive price point. For those looking for a more tech-friendly economy car, the top-trim Sport Touring Hybrid has the Civic’s first implementation of Google built-in architecture, promising a seamless experience between smartphone connectivity and automotive interfaces. All models now receive multiple USB-C ports for maximum functionality with modern electronics.

Pricing hasn’t yet been revealed, but Honda expects 40% of Civic buyers to opt for the new hybrid powertrain—a significant amount, but still showing just how bread-and-butter the entry-level trims are. With the bump in power in the middle of the Civic lineup, we’re curious to see what this refresh holds for the Si and Type R. Let’s just hope that three pedals remain in their future.

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