The Top 5 Honda Civics in History

The Civic is one of Honda’s best-selling models, thanks to its reliability, fuel efficiency, and performance. It’s been around for decades now, and with a long lineage behind it, there are bound to be models that stand out. We’ve gone and found the top five Honda Civics for this article, with a taste of both the modern and the classic.

1986 Civic Si – The Sport Injection Classic

The third-generation Civic was the first one sold in the US that came with fuel injection. It was also probably the first Civic that felt modern. The 1986 Civic Si (Sport Injection) was lauded as a “rock-steady runner” by Motortrend in its 1987 issue.

The 1986 Si was equipped with a 1.5-liter single overhead camshaft (SOHC) engine that produced 91 horsepower (hp) and 93 lb-ft of torque. It managed an impressive-for-the-era 0 to 60 miles per hour (mph) time of 10.57 seconds. By combining MacPherson struts with torsion bars in the front with a beam axle with coil springs in the rear, Honda was able to produce a lithe chassis that helped it perform beautifully on the road. The car’s smooth transmission and excellent handling proved enjoyable, and the Si name has stuck to this day.

• Engine Specs: 1.5-liter SOHC inline-four with 12-valve cross-flow head
• Power: 91 hp
• Torque: 93 lb-ft
• 0 to 60 time: 10.57 seconds
• Quarter-Mile Time: 17.5 seconds
• Top Speed: 111 mph

1992 Civic CX Hatchback – The One That Hit Big

The fifth-generation Civic was the first generation to sell over a million units. It came in around the model’s 20th anniversary, and it offered a number of trim and engine options. The CX variant was an economical vehicle equipped with power brakes and all-manual features. With its 8-valve 70 hp 1.5L D15B8 engine, the CX sipped fuel at 47 miles per gallon (mpg), making it the second most fuel-efficient Civic model in its generation.

While it might seem like an unimpressive choice, the customizability and history of the CX is what gets it on this list. The CX (and this generation, in general) also became a popular choice for engine swapping and tuning. The coupe version of the fifth-generation Civic was even featured in the opening scene of The Fast and the Furious.

• Engine Specs: 1.5-liter inline-four
• Power: 70 hp
• Torque: 91 lb-ft
• 0 to 60 time: 13.3 seconds
• Quarter-Mile Time: 19.6 seconds
• Top Speed: 105 mph

1999 Civic Si Coupe – The Defining Civic

The sixth-generation 1999 Civic Si Coupe is what most people think of when they think of the Honda Civic. This performance-oriented car might seem like a bit of a sleeper at first glance, thanks to its unassuming exterior and classic Honda interior, but it’s much more than meets the eye.

Thanks to Honda’s Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) system, the 1999 Civic Si’s otherwise unremarkable 1.6-liter engine could switch between two different cam profiles. One profile was for fuel efficiency, allowing the car to run well at low revolutions per minute (rpm) while the other offered thrilling high-performance power. The latter’s greater valve lift boosted the engine to 8,000rpm and allowed the Civic Si to accelerate from 0-60 in 7.2 seconds.

In addition to its engine, the 1999 Civic Si offered responsive steering, with a double-wishbone front suspension that improved handling and comfort on the road.

• Engine Specs: 1.6-liter inline-four with VTEC
• Power: 160 hp
• Torque: 111 lb-ft
• 0 to 60 time: 7.2 seconds
• Quarter-Mile Time: 15.7 seconds
• Top Speed: 127 mph

2021 Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition (LE) – The Score Settler

Manufactured and released as the final car in the 10th Civic generation, the 2021 Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition is a show-stopper built for track performance and speed. Before the LE arrived on the scene, its predecessor, the 2017 Honda Civic Type R, set the front-wheel-drive production car record around the infamous Nürburgring in Germany. The 2017 Type R was dethroned two years later by Renault’s Megane R.S. Trophy-R. Honda had to respond.

To take on the Trophy-R, Honda’s engineers tinkered with the car until they were able to shave 50 pounds off its curb weight and also worked on increasing its grip. The LE was equipped with 20-inch forged aluminum BBS wheels and super grippy 245/30R-20 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. In the end, the LE did dethrone the Renault at the Nürburgring with a time of 7:44.881.

With only 1,020 units manufactured worldwide and only 600 coming to the United States, the LE is indeed very limited. Every model sold was painted in bright Phoenix Yellow with black accents on the roof, mirrors, and hood scoop. 

• Engine Specs: 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with VTEC
• Power: 306 hp
• Torque: 295 lb-ft
• 0 to 60 time: 4.8 seconds
• Quarter-Mile Time: 13.3 seconds
• Top Speed: 169 mph

2023 Civic Type R – The New Blood

The 2023 Honda Civic Type R has a sleek visage and a powerful 315-horsepower engine that makes it a modern automotive marvel. The 2023 Type R has a six-speed manual transmission to deal with all the power its engine outputs. There’s even improved cooling on the brakes for those who want to bring this beauty out on the track.

The 2023 Type R made waves when it set a new front-wheel-drive record at the Suzuka Circuit, beating the 2021 Civic Type R Limited Edition. Its lighter flywheel and revised rev-match system work hand in hand with its manual transmission to provide snappy response times while zipping around the streets or the track.

• Engine Specs: 2.0-liter inline-four with turbocharged VTEC
• Power: 315-hp
• Torque: 310 lb-ft
• 0 to 60 time: 4.9 seconds
• Quarter-Mile Time: 13.5 seconds 
• Top Speed: 170 mph

The Honda Civic’s lineage is a delight for any car enthusiast. Through the years, the Civic has already proven its reliability and performance. Looking at the standout Civics, it’s easy to envision a bright future for this nameplate. Any Honda fan should be excited to see what future generations hold for the Civic.