Honda announced a partially revised model of its popular mid-size sedan, the Civic, on July 17, 2025. The car includes a number of noteworthy improvements, including improved durability thanks to the adoption of new exterior paint, a price revision, and a launch date of October 2. We’ll explain the details of these improvements in detail.
[Breaking News] Summary of Honda’s new Civic improvements
Main improvements
- New exterior paint adopted : Durability improved by more than 1.5 times compared to conventional paint
- Price revision : Prices increased for all grades due to rising raw material costs
- Orders will be accepted from July 21, 2025
- Release date : October 2, 2025
What is the “new exterior paint” that is the highlight of the new Civic improvements?
Innovative Paint Technology
The most notable feature of this improvement is the adoption of a new exterior paint. The conventional acrylic melamine material has been replaced with a more functional clear material, which is expected to have the following effects:
- Improved gloss : The body has a more beautiful gloss.
- 1.5 times more durable : Significantly improved durability compared to conventional models
- Maintaining long-term beauty : Suppressing deterioration over time
This new paint has already been adopted for the Civic RS and ZR-V, and with this latest improvement it has now been expanded to all grades.
Price change details
Improved price list
| grade | price |
|---|---|
| LX (1.5L gasoline turbo/CVT) | 3,544,200 yen |
| EX (1.5L gasoline turbo/CVT) | 3,894,000 yen |
| RS (1.5L gasoline turbo/6MT) | 4,398,900 yen |
| e:HEV LX (hybrid) | 4,094,200 yen |
| e:HEV EX (hybrid) | 4,403,300 yen |
Factors behind price increases
The main factors behind the price increase are:
- Global rise in raw material prices
- Rising logistics costs
- Cost of adopting new paint technology
The price has increased by 95,700 yen for all grades except the RS grade.
About Civic
Only the Civic Hatchback and Civic Type R body styles will be introduced in Japan. A four-door sedan is also available in the United States and other countries. The Japanese Civic model was unveiled on June 24, 2021, and it was announced on August 5, 2021 that it would be released on September 3, 2021.
Based on Honda’s unique M・M philosophy, the new car achieves a lower and wider stance, pursuing a more refined and premium design than previous models. Starting with the low overall height and low hip point of the 10th-generation model, the new car adopts a new “thin and light” design ethos, including a low hood, front fenders, and a low, horizontal beltline.
Strategic use of high-tensile steel and aluminum improves torsional rigidity by 8% and bending rigidity by 13%, resulting in improved ride comfort, handling, and safety. MacPherson struts up front, with low-friction ball joints and front damper mount bearings, improve steering feel.
Meanwhile, larger compliance bushings minimize harsh road surfaces, and the two rear lower arms also feature new bushings to reduce vibrations in the cabin and improve straight-line stability.
The body size is 4,550mm in length (+30mm), 1,800mm in width (0mm), 1,415mm in height (0mm), and 2,735mm in wheelbase (+35mm).
About the new Civic interior
The interior is designed with horizontal and straight lines as the key theme, and based on the concept of HMI (Human Machine Interface), eye movement is reduced and controls are placed along the flow of passengers to improve visibility. In order to provide a refreshing view from all seats, a “sleek and long cabin” with a solid form that gives it a sense of solidity has been adopted.
The top of the dashboard has been designed with minimal cut lines to prevent reflections on the windshield, and the mirrors have been positioned away from the A-pillars for improved visibility.
The meter uses a new “10.2-inch instrument cluster,” and the center display is equipped with a “9-inch Honda CONNECT Honda Display.” This system is compatible with “Apple CarPlay” and “Android Auto,” and also features “Honda CONNECT,” an in-vehicle communication module exclusive to Honda vehicles.
In addition, to provide high-quality sound, a 12-speaker BOSE audio system is adopted, and it is also equipped with an auto brake hold function and a parking brake system.
About the new Civic engine
Two four-cylinder engines are available: a 1.5L inline four-cylinder VTEC turbo engine with a maximum power output of 134 kW (182 PS) at 6,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 240 Nm (24.5 kgfm) at 1,700-4,500 rpm. The turbocharged engine’s figures represent an increase of 6 hp and 15 lb-ft of torque over the same engine in the previous generation.
Furthermore, the hybrid model will feature the sporty e:HEV hybrid system, a 2.0L direct injection engine + motor “two-motor hybrid system.”
| Specifications | New Civic |
|---|---|
| full length | 4,550mm |
| Overall width | 1,800mm |
| Overall height | 1,415mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735mm |
| engine | 1.5L 4-cylinder VTEC turbo engine |
| Maximum power | 134kW (182PS) / 6,000rpm |
| Maximum torque | 240Nm (24.5kgfm) / 1,700-4,500rpm |
transmission |
CVT/6MT |
| Drive system | 2WD |
| WLTC mode fuel economy | 16.3km/L 15.7km/L |
| Passenger capacity | 5 people |
| Estimated Price | 3,190,000 yen ~ 3,539,800 yen |
| Specifications | New Civic Hybrid |
|---|---|
| full length | 4,550mm |
| Overall width | 1,800mm |
| Overall height | 1,415mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735mm |
| engine | 2.0L direct injection engine + motor “SPORT HYBRID i-MMD” |
| Maximum power | 107kW (145ps) / 6,200rpm |
| Maximum torque | 175Nm (17.8kgm) / 4,000rpm |
| Motor maximum output |
135kW (184ps) / 5,000-6,000rpm |
| Motor Max Torque |
315Nm (32.1kgm) / 0-2,000rpm |
transmission |
Electric continuously variable transmission |
| Drive system | 2WD |
| WLTC mode fuel economy |
24.2km/L |
| Passenger capacity | 5 people |
| price | 3,942,000 yen |
New Civic safety features
The new Honda Sensing suite includes improvements to the system, including new cameras that provide a wider field of view than before. Additionally, working in conjunction with better software, the system can recognize more vehicles and more quickly identify pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles. Adaptive cruise control has also been improved, providing a more natural braking feel and quicker response. This allows for more natural driving while still staying in your lane.
This minor change has newly adopted a “sudden acceleration suppression function.” In addition, the advanced safety driving support system with improved performance supports driving in various situations.
Additionally, world-first designs have been unveiled for airbags that reduce brain injury by better controlling head movement in certain types of crashes: a doughnut-shaped driver airbag that cradles the head in an accident, and a similarly opening, book-shaped, three-sided passenger airbag.
Honda SENSING
It comes standard with Honda SENSING, but is equipped with a more advanced model than the previous model that is also capable of detecting pedestrians at night.
| System Equipment | New Civic |
|---|---|
| Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) |
◯ (Daytime and nighttime pedestrians and bicycles) |
| False start prevention function | ◯ |
| Pedestrian Accident Reduction Steering | ◯ |
| Road departure mitigation function | ◯ |
| ACC with traffic jam following function | ◯ |
| LKAS | ◯ |
| Sign recognition function | ◯ |
| False backward start prevention function | ◯ |
| Automatic high beam | ◯ |
| Near-Collision Mitigation Braking | ◯ |
| Traffic Jam Assist | ◯ |
| Adaptive Driving Beam | ◯ |
| Sudden acceleration control function NEW | ◯ |
Full range of equipment and functions
Latest Technology
- 10.2-inch digital meter
- 9-inch infotainment system
- Built-in Google support
- 12-speaker BOSE audio
safety equipment
- Honda SENSING standard equipment
- Traffic Jam Assist
- Adaptive Driving Beam
- adaptive cruise control
Advice for those considering purchasing
Purchase timing
- Orders begin : July 21, 2025
- Release date : October 2, 2025
- Delivery date : Scheduled to be delivered sequentially after the release date
Recommended grade
If you prioritize cost performance : LX grade (3,544,200 yen) If you want a full range of equipment : EX grade (3,894,000 yen) If you prioritize environmental performance : e:HEV LX (4,094,200 yen) If you prioritize driving performance : RS grade (4,398,900 yen)
summary
The biggest feature of the Honda Civic’s new upgrade is the improved durability achieved through the adoption of a new exterior paint. While a price increase is unavoidable, it is well worth the upgrade when you consider the long-term quality of the car.
We can’t wait for pre-orders to begin on July 21st, with the release scheduled for October 2nd. If you’re considering purchasing, we recommend you do so early.
Civic
