Honda is expanding the 2027 Civic lineup’s feature set to include a new trim for the gas model, and S+ Shift on the Hybrid.
A couple years ago, I lauded the Civic Hybrid as one of the best options around, and now Honda is giving both gas and hybrid models some noteworthy updates for the new year. The automaker is right on the verge of the 12th-generation model — keep in mind the current 11th-gen has already been around for half a decade — but there’s now a new Sport-L trim to add some features to the gas-powered side of the lineup. As for the Civic Hybrid, you now get the Prelude’s S+ Shift mode.
Essentially, the 2027 Honda Civic Sport-L is your top rung of the gas-only lineup, bringing in some extra features without having to jump into the hybrid. You get some of the Civic Sport Touring Hybrid’s features like heated and power-adjusted leather seats, as well as dual-zone climate control. That’s not a bad deal, considering the Sport-L will set you back $29,790, and you formally would have needed to spend an extra $5,700 to jump from the Sport all the way to the top of the range with the Sport Touring Hybrid. As it stands, the Sport-L costs an extra $1,500 over the Civic Sport. The base LX sedan is still here for $26,290 with the Sport as the $28,290 in-between, though neither of those trims get any significant changes for 2027.
If you’re looking to get into the hatchback instead, prices start at $29,490 for the Sport, and now go to $30,990 for the Sport-L (there is no LX hatch).
All gas-only versions of the 2027 Honda Civic still use a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, putting out 158 horsepower to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission. EPA ratings vary a little bit, with the base LX getting the best numbers (32/41/26 City/Highway/Combined MPG) and the other trims coming in 1-2 MPG lower.
The Civic Hybrid can now mimic a conventional transmission, just like the Prelude coupe.
If you are willing and able to spend the $33,990 Honda suggests for a 2027 Civic Sport Touring Hybrid, you’ll now get the S+ Shift mode that originally debuted on the closely related Prelude.
You still get the same 200 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque as before, but S+ Shift mimics the feel of an 8-speed automated transmission, despite not actually having a transmission in the normal sense. Instead, Honda’s Two-Motor Hybrid system uses the electric motor for propulsion most of the time, with the gas engine largely functioning as a generator unless you need combined power from both units (like in highway driving), where a lock-up clutch will engage so the gas engine and the electric motor can drive the front wheels.
Other than S+ Shift mode on the top-end Sport Touring Hybrid, the lower-end Sport Hybrid model remains the same as last year, with a price tag now at $30,990. EPA ratings for the hybrid also remain the same at 50/47/49 City/Highway/Combined MPG for the sedan, and 50/44/47 for the hatchback.
The Civic Hybrid Hatchback, much like the sedan, is available at a $1,200 premium (so $32,190 for the Sport Hybrid and $35,190 for the Sport Touring Hybrid).
2027 Honda Civic models will hit dealerships in the next few weeks, before we close out the year.
